6 ms·

3D FDM plastic printers are an useful component of the future the hype described, but they are just a component, they are not energy to matter Star Trek replica

3D FDM plastic printers are an useful component of the future the hype described, but they are just a component, they are not energy to matter Star Trek replicators. If one designs for it, it is possible to build complex products. FarmBot is a good example. It is made with a combination of 3D FDM printed parts, flat metal parts that could be made with a plasma cutter or CNC, open source software and compute provided by small ARM computers, and commodity produced parts like wires, motors and extruded aluminium rails. Thats how RepRaps are made, and that is how you have to build in this new way. Very few things are solid plastic shapes. 3D FDM printers are great for designing and producing the case that your etched PCB, switches and LED's attach to. It is an ingredient in the recipe. FDM can be used to make custom metal components through green sandcasting metals. If more projects were designed like RepRap, or FarmBot, this new industrial revolution could still take shape. Robotic PCB production is another key ingredient that is needed for reality to match up to the hype.

jokoon 10y ago
Yes, until people realize you can't make everything with plastic and that you need metals, maybe 3D printing with go somewhere. Not to forget than certain steel parts might not even be accessible to mere mortals, either because certain steel require certain things. I'm not against fixing your dishwasher with some plastic part, but that's far from a revolution. And it's not like industry won't fight it either.
- jordanb 10y ago
  You can't even print composites. Seriously, most 3d printing fanboys I've met couldn't even begin to define the term "tensile strength". I had one guy insist that his 3d printer could 3d print wood. I said there's no way, so the next day he brought in an object made out of ABS with wood flower suspended in it. He literally couldn't comprehend how that differs from a real wood object, structurally, or even better how it'd differ from a cold-molded composite wood object.
  - jacobolus 10y ago
    3d printing sucks for any kind of production structural part. It’s awesome for abstract mathematical sculpures though.
    - fit2rule 10y ago
      >3d printing sucks for any kind of production structural part. Good thing AuroraLabs is working on that problem. Won't be long until their 3D printers are standard accessories on oil-platforms and deep mines and the ISS, oh my... http://auroralabs3d.com http://auroralabs3d.com
  - andrewflnr 10y ago
    "wood flour", as in finely ground wood?
    - TeMPOraL 10y ago
      Yeah, something like this. They make a 3D-printing filament out of it for printing stuff that look and feel somewhat "woody". https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D6VL1OQrebg/maxresdefault.jpg https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D6VL1OQrebg/maxresdefault.jpg (Generally, google for "wood filament 3d printing" and look at the pictures.)

jokoon 10y ago

Yes, until people realize you can't make everything with plastic and that you need metals, maybe 3D printing with go somewhere. Not to forget than certain steel parts might not even be accessible to mere mortals, either because certain steel require certain things. I'm not against fixing your dishwasher with some plastic part, but that's far from a revolution. And it's not like industry won't fight it either.

jordanb 10y ago
You can't even print composites. Seriously, most 3d printing fanboys I've met couldn't even begin to define the term "tensile strength". I had one guy insist that his 3d printer could 3d print wood. I said there's no way, so the next day he brought in an object made out of ABS with wood flower suspended in it. He literally couldn't comprehend how that differs from a real wood object, structurally, or even better how it'd differ from a cold-molded composite wood object.
- jacobolus 10y ago
  3d printing sucks for any kind of production structural part. It’s awesome for abstract mathematical sculpures though.
  - fit2rule 10y ago
    >3d printing sucks for any kind of production structural part. Good thing AuroraLabs is working on that problem. Won't be long until their 3D printers are standard accessories on oil-platforms and deep mines and the ISS, oh my... http://auroralabs3d.com http://auroralabs3d.com
- andrewflnr 10y ago
  "wood flour", as in finely ground wood?
  - TeMPOraL 10y ago
    Yeah, something like this. They make a 3D-printing filament out of it for printing stuff that look and feel somewhat "woody". https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D6VL1OQrebg/maxresdefault.jpg https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D6VL1OQrebg/maxresdefault.jpg (Generally, google for "wood filament 3d printing" and look at the pictures.)