Something for the Engineers
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
Age: 66
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Something for the Engineers
I came across this article today ... OK so 3D "Printing" has been around for a little while for simple prototyping in plastics ... BUT ...
How long before you guys stop popping over to stores and just "print" the part you need ?
Very exciting technology for aerospace engineering ...
3D Printed Wing Spar
Coff.
A 3 meter long Titanium Wing Spar 3D printed in one piece 
Very exciting technology for aerospace engineering ...
3D Printed Wing Spar
Coff.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,993
Received 2,888 Likes
on
1,233 Posts
I was thinking the other day and reading an article online about the technology as a friend is building some car parts with one, as this technology becomes more and more accurate you will then get the criminal elements finding it beneficial, think about it, you wouldn't need to smuggle a weapon into a country, simply send a file over the web and print it out at the other end, then all you would need is a source of ammo.
Frightning.
.
Frightning.
.
Last edited by NutLoose; 7th Apr 2013 at 18:41.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Temporarily missing from the Joe Louis Arena
Posts: 2,131
Received 27 Likes
on
16 Posts
Coffmanstarter - I think this is the chap you might be thinking of.
Gun maker: Printing 3D gun parts a 'step toward liberty' | TechHive
Gun maker: Printing 3D gun parts a 'step toward liberty' | TechHive
A couple of years ago a full-size working bicycle was printed - by R-R I think.
It worked (of sorts) but couldn't (then) take the weight of a human cyclist.
Resins are improving and strength is being developed...it may take a few years yet before you can print something that won't destroy itself when used.
But it could well mean the "single-use item" is on its way.
It worked (of sorts) but couldn't (then) take the weight of a human cyclist.
Resins are improving and strength is being developed...it may take a few years yet before you can print something that won't destroy itself when used.
But it could well mean the "single-use item" is on its way.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: UK East Anglia
Age: 66
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Clever these Chineese.
I saw this some years ago and thought it was an April Fool. I can imagine it for smaller parts some are shown in the article. some may remember the Dunlop sintered metal we used in the 70s/80s for flame traps on aircraft. These started out as powder but when heated, fused into something strong
When I worked in the rubber industry my company pioneered a method of laser printing paper moulds that were ok for low temperature. but at low temp and pressure the cure time was several hours. We had good results for complex prototype seals (car doors for Jag X200 in around 1998).
How sad that we don't have the S&T investment in the UK these days.
I saw this some years ago and thought it was an April Fool. I can imagine it for smaller parts some are shown in the article. some may remember the Dunlop sintered metal we used in the 70s/80s for flame traps on aircraft. These started out as powder but when heated, fused into something strong
When I worked in the rubber industry my company pioneered a method of laser printing paper moulds that were ok for low temperature. but at low temp and pressure the cure time was several hours. We had good results for complex prototype seals (car doors for Jag X200 in around 1998).
How sad that we don't have the S&T investment in the UK these days.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 32,993
Received 2,888 Likes
on
1,233 Posts
Rigga the latest are printing in metals such as alloys or inconels
Supersized Industrial 3D Printing in Metal - 3D Printing Industry
I can now design and order stuff in plastic for models at a pittance, imagine what can be done 10 years down the line. For good OR bad.
Just look at what you can do or get made now, modellers are starting to use them as I said.
Art 3D Printed by Shapeways
The considerable dimensions of the system are 4415 x 3070 x 4500 mm (W x H x D) and it requires peripheral equipment that includes a sieving station and powder silo. Printing materials at launch are Aluminium alloy (AlSi10Mg), Titanium alloy and Nickel based alloy (Inconel 718) with others currently under development.
I can now design and order stuff in plastic for models at a pittance, imagine what can be done 10 years down the line. For good OR bad.
Just look at what you can do or get made now, modellers are starting to use them as I said.
Art 3D Printed by Shapeways
Nutty,
Yes I know.
There was a 'plastic' printer at my last job that worked very well and everything came out mavellously accurately made - but all I believe it did was speed up basic errors of development.
Think of the amount of times we've all printed something after proof-reading only to notice the glaring errors as we pull it off the printer.
Yes I know.
There was a 'plastic' printer at my last job that worked very well and everything came out mavellously accurately made - but all I believe it did was speed up basic errors of development.
Think of the amount of times we've all printed something after proof-reading only to notice the glaring errors as we pull it off the printer.
Surely someone here has an awkward sized head and has had their aircrew helmet laser-cut because the standard sizes didn't fit? This has been standard practice in MoD since, at least, 1996. Same principles.