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> 3D-printed in copper Are there consumer-grade 3D printers that can print copper? Or print a hobby-sized version of a rocket (out of some heat-resistant mate
by cantSpellSober 2y ago
> 3D-printed in copper
Are there consumer-grade 3D printers that can print copper?
Or print a hobby-sized version of a rocket (out of some heat-resistant material)?
(I'm thinking about the model rockets you may have had as a kid with an A8-3 engine.)
- Filligree 2y agoDefinitely not. If you as a consumer want to do so, then your best bet is printing a mold for casting.
- progre 2y agoWhich would rule out any cooling channels inside the bell.
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- cjbgkagh 2y agoI think long term there is no reason for Electrochemical Additive Manufacturing (ECAM) to stay expensive as it uses TFT display technology which is mature and electroplating solution is widely available. Maybe patents will keep it expensive.
- justinclift 2y agoDoes it need to be done in a non-reactive atmosphere (ie nitrogen) or anything along those lines? If the failure cases are dangerous (magnesium fire?), then the safety precautions might keep it out of general consumer availability.
- cjbgkagh 2y agoIt builds on normal electroplating which is already a safe DIY activity, best not do drink it though. This is selective electroplating by only applying electric current to pixel sized areas and building up the object layer by layer like a resin printer. It's truly amazing what it can do. It's just really new. https://fabric8labs.com/ https://fabric8labs.com/
- justinclift 2y agoCool. That looks super interesting. :)
- justinclift 2y agoMade a submission about it, as it looks so interesting: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40803783 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40803783
- justinclift 2y agoSeen this? https://youtu.be/W1d36wbx_yg https://youtu.be/W1d36wbx_yg
- cjbgkagh 2y agoI had not, looks cool. I'm gonna wait 10 years and see if this (ECAM) gets to Bambu Labs price and quality, if not then maybe I'll DIY one.
- dotancohen 2y agoYou could almost certainly source a cylindrical body to pour the cast into for cheaper and easier than 3D printing one - of almost any dimension. The tricky part is in the coring shape (for thrust profile), not the shape of the cylinder. That said, 3D printing an easily-removable mold for coring, such as from wax, would be amazing.
- Filligree 2y agoThere are 3d-printers (and fairly cheap toolheads) that can handle ceramics, i.e. clay. Resolution isn't anywhere near as good as PLA, so in practice people often print a mold to make the mold from, but it's an option.