Printing Our Own Parts
 

How long before we can print our own parts? 3D Printing

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/garden/the-3-d-printer-may-be-the-home-appliance-of-the-future.html?_r=0&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1361414682-G89I0o35l9O54GbSITcOkw

soon
 

I want one.
They use these in automotive FAST PROTOTYPE...

AWESOME to watch the operation.

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On Frontline last night, they showed a law student who post files to print parts to make an AR-15 rifle and showed him shooting his. His angle is individual empowerment, and maybe a little hype. I doubt the barrel is plastic. Mostly showed that his plastic magazine can last for 15 rounds.

I would be happy to just have a CNC mill, which is 20 yr old technology. I have a lot of ideas for that (caliper mounts, fuel injection parts). I keep searching, but prices start at ~$3K for even a small one.

get ready for MB to assert intellectual ownership of the design of parts, if anyone starts manufacturing them.

The Dramatic End of a Gullwing Replica

I was going to buy and build one of these about a year ago.....totally waste of time....at least the ones you can buy....the items they produce are very poor quality....I thought they would have a flat appearance like original items but they are very rough and its just layers thin plastic on top of the other layer.....there are a few commercial designs I have seen that use a powdered resin mix and a laser that melts into the shape, those are awesome and they make actually working items.......but those aren't available on the public market yet.....we have a long ways to go before we can just go to Walmart.com and print out the items we want to buy.....besides the world will end as we know it by then......meteors are hitting the earth....earthquakes in Arizona today....strange weather...

FYI
 

Bridgeport Series II Interact 4 CNC Mill


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Here's the state of the art 3D printing, just coming out now... getting VERY GOOD resolution, and price.
Within reach of human beings at home. Compatible CAD/CAM software... can be found for free.

Have a look: Form Labs

Twleve thou features, one thou layers..

The resin is $100 / litre.