DMLS- putting plastic printers to shame

[Avatard]

You know we will, too.

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider

It;s NASA- anything under $10 million is cheap...

They probably spent $1million formulating what cheap is.

Cool technology. I'm sure with time, it'll become more available.

[Phenix_Rider]

I have to wonder though, why they didn't just use a normal CNC machine... Would have been able to make the entire part, instead of having to weld on the flanges.

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Phenix_Rider

I have to wonder though, why they didn't just use a normal CNC machine... Would have been able to make the entire part, instead of having to weld on the flanges.

But the CNC wouldn't be able to hollow out the whole pipe. At least I don't think it will.

James

[Captain Morgan]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

This will not scale and will never be made available the general public as a useful affordable product for legal reasons. At most, it will be limited in both use and type of materials that you could use.

Originally Posted by Particle Man

I can see that happening with existing companies who are still making parts but for older vehicles where parts are more difficult to manufacture and/or come by? I'm betting someone finds away around it then.

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Legal reasons, as in safety?

"fully dissassemble your gun and e-mail me the scans of all the parts"

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

"fully dissassemble your gun and e-mail me the scans of all the parts"

If they have the cash to purchase a machine to do this, they won't need someone doing that...

[Avatard]

While we're on the subject of printing parts...print me a spleen, would'ja, love?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14946808

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

"Here is the big deal: making it was very cheap and very fast."

I'm guessing that "cheap", in this case, is a rather relative term.

JC

Yup, for the bargain basement sums of $2.5B in development and $47M in construction costs, you can turn out $5000 widgets for just $500. Should pay for itself by the time that Star Trek replicator technology is old hat.