4 ms·
The problem is the number of parts you're going to be able to produce is limited by the materials properties of whatever you're accreting. Sure, you'll be able
by tsotha 14y ago
The problem is the number of parts you're going to be able to produce is limited by the materials properties of whatever you're accreting.
Sure, you'll be able to produce anything that's mostly cosmetic, but how about something like the bearing housing for an old washing machine? I have to believe that will still get milled because it has to have certain mechanical properties a 3D printing process can't guarantee.
- gallerytungsten 14y agoThat's why I note that improvement would involve manufacturing in metal. This may be possible already to a limited degree, for example, with sintered metal, but that's an expensive process that isn't economical for washing machine parts.
- tsotha 14y agoYeah, sintering could probably be done. But getting the right shape is only half the battle - you also have to get the right properties, which can mean getting the right kinds of dislocations and grain growth, which you normally only get by controlling the (high) temperature profile.