For those unfamiliar with this technology.....it is the future; in fact, it’s here now. “Printing” 3D objects has come such a long way in a relatively short time that it is....no pun intended here....simply jaw-dropping.
It’s not much of a stretch to predict that soon automobile parts, aircraft parts (whole wings, etc.), and many consumer goods will soon be “printed” vs. traditional manufacturing techniques. The ramifications are staggering.
Think of what this means, really. What if it didn’t take an army of highly skilled technicians to manufacture a particular aircraft or car part (e.g. a transmission). Think of the “barriers to entry” to higher technology that are suddenly removed. Get the “plans”, the right output devices.....and voila: you, too, can manufacture aircraft or refrigerators or cars or whatever you wish.
I find it very exciting, actually.
CNC is dead.
Add to your list the 3d printer fabrication of building parts and spacecraft structures on the sunny side of the Moon using the abundant sunlight and titanium-rich “soil.”
Add to your list the 3d printer fabrication of building parts and spacecraft structures on the sunny side of the Moon using the abundant sunlight and titanium-rich “soil.”
Add to your list the 3d printer fabrication of building parts and spacecraft structures on the sunny side of the Moon using the abundant sunlight and titanium-rich “soil.”
3-D printing has been around for awhile in some form. FDM, fuse deposition modeling, using different plastics is very popular for proto-typing and proof of concept. However, it’s a long way from production capabilities. Two reasons; speed and tolerance requirements. Not to say they won’t get there for low volume applications, but the speed and accuracy required for high volume is a long way off. My guess (didn’t see it in the article) is there was some form of post processing required to meet the dimensional requirements. Cool stuff, though. And titanium no less!
Saw a video of a printer making a crescent wrench. It took a few minutes and the they turned the thing and the jaw opened and closed and then they used it to loosen a bolt. I have to say it was one of the most amazing things I have seen. How long will it be before they are printing new hearts and livers? Maybe some day.