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.

Who needs new parts? Just look at the final picture there, they've just printed themselves a whole new airliner.

Something for the Aircrew
 

Back in the day this was hot off the 3D printer:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...6yq5D8b924CDAA

"So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?"

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.


.

I think I'd have to be convinced of the structural integrity, conformity to design and traceability of a critical component before I trusted my little pink body to it.

Nutty ...

Apparently someone has printed some gun parts already :(

JTO ... Inanimate objects old chap :}

Coffmanstarter - I think this is the chap you might be thinking of.

Gun maker: Printing 3D gun parts a 'step toward liberty' | TechHive

Very worrying ...

Wouldn't it just be easier and cheaper to buy a gun than the 3D printer and all those different coloured ink cartridges?

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.

Courtney ... I have a feeling JSFfan has already started printing his own F-35 :}

Ah, you could be right. And by the post above yours, a single use item!

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.

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

Very pretty, but would you trust your life to the internal metallic structure?

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.

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.

Ehem! What are you saying, Tuc?

LOL not if you live in the UK