3D printers coming of age...?

Take a look at this:

**LINK**

Admittedly, the 3D printer used in this exercise cost half a million bucks, so it won't be available for hobby use any time soon, but it demonstrates very nicely just how accurate 3D printing can be, and also that the technology is capable of printing objects using more durable materials than plastic.

Regards,

Tony

Impressive results from that printer. Is this what we will have in our workshop in 10 years?

Thor

hopefully not makeing guns

Bob

Yes, guns are a bit 'Old Hat' now, but did you see 'Embarasing Bodies' on Tuesday eve.. - The man with half a face. Here was a patient who had half his face eaten away by cancer. Cheek, jawbone pallet etc etc. By use of 3-D printing, surgeons made a replica scull with bits bits missing, then making the missing bits. From these models, it was possible to make a a skeletal jaw 'bone' with teeth, pallet and last of all half a face including a false eye. Not perfect but a hell of a leap for the poor guy.

Wow Speedy
Yes I have seen the prosthetics, very rarely watch TV But I would like to get into this Technologey but where doese one start..

Bob

Mostly it's simply that mentioning guns has proven to be an effective way to generate publicity/hype around 3D printing... much easier to get on the TV than most of the serious and technically interesting things it gets used for.

If you want a much more interesting and, for us model engineers, meaningful application of a variety of 3D technologies I suggest you google 'building the Miller race car' or very similar title. Sorry I can't provide a direct link at present, but promise that if you're interested in seeing what can be done, you will find the search worthwhile. Plenty of food for thought in this one. If you find it let's have your reactions. This is a fascinating technique, particularly now that very durable metallic prints can be made, plated etc.

here is link
**LINK**

bob

All I now need is the dosh
Bob.

The point isn't that they made a gun - not at all interesting from my point of view to be able to make a gun - but it gives you some clues as to what the technology could be used for. If you can produce a metal gun barrel in a 3D printer and it is strong enough to withstand repeated firing with live rounds, then it isn't exactly a massive leap of the imagination to consider using the same technology to print a ready-bored cylinder block for an IC or steam engine, plus pistons with piston ring grooves, complete camshafts, .... etc. Download the plans, print the parts, job's a good 'un.

Yes, as pointed out in the video, there is inevitably going to be a degree of finishing work needed on the printed parts, but even so, the potential uses are very interesting indeed, especially if they could reduce the size of the price tag by a couple of orders of magnitude. Given that you can now buy CNC laser cutters/engravers for an affordable (for the hobby user) price, it shouldn't be much of a stretch to build a laser-based printer for £5k, say that could print metal parts. Maybe not this year, but I would be very surprised if it isn't a reality in the next few years.

Regards,

Tony

Hi There

If these designs to print 3D guns are available on the Internet, what is there to stop somone taking the design and machining it manually or CNC milling it from solid metal or am I missing something?

regards David

I am assuming that the idea is that plastic passes through security more easily

David, I think the attraction is one machine does all obviating the need for a mill, lathe, drill etc. Also as we seem to be adopting digital design and CNC etc etc, one could pass a file to your local 'foundry' who printed and sintered metal pieces for you. For me, its the sintering process which for MEs could be a real boon if the price were right.

BobH

I was recently thinking about the possibilities of 3D printing for the scenic railway modeller. All the architecture and line-side accessories and so on. It could also be used for some of the very ornate castings on old steam engines and spoked loco wheels, which could save on owning and powering a small furnace.

I can see it being just another way forward for the hobby.

OK not at the moment, cost wise but think on a few years.

People with more computer skills than at present, software that's far more advanced than now.

One machine that doesn't need a big draughty shed with probably three times the cost of the machines invested in various tools and accessories to make the machines do what you want [ dividing heads, taps dies , etc, etc. ]

Not saying it will take over traditional model engineering but I can see it making inroads.

Lets face it 10 - 15 years ago if someone told you you could have a CNC router, mill, lathe, laser cutter and 3D printer sat on your bench without having to win a lottery you would have laughed or been burn at the stake as a heretic.

By virtue of the flat earth society dying off any new blood coming into the game has to be younger and by this selection only they will arrive with a different skill set to the departing Jerry Hat Tricks.

For years plans have been sold for making Widget 1, some even sell plans and materials like castings and bar stock.

We are literally only 6 months to 2 years away from someone selling plans and G Code for a CNC to make Widget 1.