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I think for at least a while the fab technology is going to require quite a few integration/finishing steps, which will still require specialised machinery whic

by shabble 14y ago

I think for at least a while the fab technology is going to require quite a few integration/finishing steps, which will still require specialised machinery which prevents them from being easily deployed in neighbourhood Fab4U scenarios. I have a vague recollection that the biggest industrial use of 3D printing is in producing the moulds and dies which are then used to mass-produce. In the longer term, we'll need either more accurate initial positive machining processes, or more integrated systems that include negative processes like CNC milling/EDM/waterjet for cleanup and hard-to-print forms like screw threads.

clebio 14y ago
Yes, that's always been my nagging concern about 3D printing. Sure, it can print any single thing, but nearly every machine is made up of multiple parts. So either there's a set of construction machines down the line from the 3D printer, or 'some assembly required'. The related consideration is that each part of a constructed item has to be printed separately (and probably serially). Another issue that occurred to me when typing the earlier comment was, what about the inside of a hollow piece. I know there's camera+software setups that can generate a CAD-like model of anything based on a set of photos, but how would they determine internal structure. Seems like those systems would have to be augmented with an additional, small flexible camera that can image the inside of the object.