mpace6a Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Is anyone else as fascinated by 3D printing as I? Doing some research into it, supposedly the military is helping to fund research in printing with biodegradable plastics made with stem cells, to essentially print skin, bones, and different implants like ears/noses that will "take" like an organ transplant and then grow into skin/bone/etc of your own. There is a civilian market for printers using ABS plastics...and it got me thinking, why couldnt someone print MJ tailights? Or really any of the comanche specific parts we always search for? Does anyone have any experience with 3D printing? Be it hands on, watching, or just reading about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I want one for the sole purpose of being able to make my own K'nex/Lego pieces... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 I want one for the sole purpose of being able to make my own K'nex/Lego pieces... I hadn't even thought of that....that would be awesome. I'd like to be able to print polymers. One I've seen prints titanium alloys, then uses lasers to fuse the droplets into a solid object, THAT would be cool. Metal legos.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 was just in training for a week at a place that specializes in 3D printing. they printed everything from NFL size footballs, to operational adjustable wrenches (which i got to take one home) to a model airplane. everything was made of plastic. the uses seemed endless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 My university has a couple 3D printers, aka rapid prototypers. I personally have never used them, but my FSAE team uses them for some of the custom engine parts (mostly intake and fuel delivery components). Works out to be cheaper than the stock honda parts, as well as way lighter. Also a huge amount less expensive than making them out of aluminum or steel. I've never seen the process, but I understand that even with plastics, it's effectively a CNC laser that shoots into a bunch of powder. It deposits a layer, burns it together, adds another layer, etc. One of the parts we made quickly just for testing airflow got cut open and almost had a wood grain type deal inside. As for printing cells, I doubt there's any of that going on at my school, but I've been hearing about it happening elsewhere for a few years. I can see it being quite useful for amputees or whatnot, but it still kinda creeps me out a bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Read that ATF is looking into these devices because they fear that in the future, with the advancing technology people might/will start "printing" all sorts of things that could cause mayhem, ie untraceable firearms and such. ATF is looking into regulating the software that is used to control these devices... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 Read that ATF is looking into these devices because they fear that in the future, with the advancing technology people might/will start "printing" all sorts of things that could cause mayhem, ie untraceable firearms and such. ATF is looking into regulating the software that is used to control these devices... Yea, I hear theres alot going around with people trying to print AR lower recievers, but from what I understand none of them have worked out too well. Still, I'd like to get my hands on one, just to try to make jeep taillights if nothing else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 :doh: :agree: Why didn't I think of that lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garvin Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 There are a few different types of rapid prototypers and they aren't as rapid as most people think. The one I used in school was used ABS plastic and deposited it layer by layer. To make a small funnel type inlet for my senior design project (about 12" long and 2" high) took about 12 hours. It basically had the surface finish of like what you saw in the old Doom games of being bricky. This machine was one of the more expensive ones costing around $20k with the work area being smaller than a regular sized microwaves cook area. They do have cheaper ones on the market for more of the home enthusiast that I've been looking into. All of the ones I've dealt with require a CAD program though to design the part (I used AutoCAD in school and SolidWorks everywhere else). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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