The Ten Principles of 3D Printing

big think ^ | 3/2/13 | Hod Lipson

[Chode]

i think that's their plan

[Robert A Cook PE]

Prototypes and one-of-a-kind testing and for limited quantities with compatible materials, on the other hand as you have seen and are using, ARE a very good application for 3D printing.

Sometimes. 8<)

[null and void]

Yes, the right tool for the right job.

Protolabs is still doing good business with their Protomold™ and Firstcut™ services.

[longtermmemmory]

Why do we need photocopiers, we have carbon paper.

(/s)

now many offices do not even need photocopiers.

these anti-3d arguments are about five years behind the curve.

[LibWhacker]

Wow, seems complicated to me. Very impressive.

BUT... If I'm ever going to get into 3D printing, I better start tinkering with it now. If I wait ten years for more capable printers to come along, I'll need a darn PhD to do anything interesting with the technology.

Man, 3D printing strikes me as potentially more "revolutionary" than the invention of the computer. Don't fall behind or you'll never catch up.

[null and void]

Actually we don't have carbon paper. Just try to find it and mimeograph stencil paper these days!

[longtermmemmory]

there are gears and chains also. working scissors. As prices come down, you will not even have to travel to the store to buy the el-cheapo $1 items.

[MHGinTN]

The carbon fiber lower (New Frontier) on my AR pistol, was that machined out from a solid block of carbon fiber, or injection molded?

[Wonder Warthog]

"Surely someone will bring up printing AR-15’s and magazines!"

You must have missed the video of the AR-15 with a 3D printed ABS lower receiver firing 600 rounds successfully.

And don't judge the whole 3D technology by "what you have personally seen", which is only a miniscule fraction of the tech.

[Robert A Cook PE]

The carbon fiber lower (New Frontier) on my AR pistol, was that machined out from a solid block of carbon fiber, or injection molded?

Ah, but carbon fibre (by definition and by practice) needs long fibers laid up as alternating layers of fiberglass/Kevlar and glue mixed together intimately and with alternating “directions” of the carbon fibers and glue to CREATE the strength and lightness characteristic of the carbon fiber materials.

You cannot create such a multi-layer bi-directional strength with a uniform material and common density from a 3D printer.

[MHGinTN]

The most up-to-date printers can now use several media/materials as it prints the layers. Google Connex/Objet

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks RACPE.

[Ozark Tom]

It wouldn’t be practical to build a turbine engine with the technology available in a blacksmiths shop either; but, innovation of tools often redefines the approach used to resolve an engineering challenge. Remember when a home computer was a solution in search of a problem worth solving?