3D Printer...wow

[soulcougher73]

This is pretty awesome technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZboxMsSz5Aw&feature=player_embedded#at=253

 

[deadlyapp]

3d printed a full water turbine wheel this past quarter. The things are awesome.

 

[Krynj]

Want.

 

[Doppel]

It definitely has a future to it. If the plastics are hard enough to truly make things like tools (or will be) a consumer could print objects up or buy recipes to print objects or manufacturers could create items far quicker than in the past.

 

[Dulanic]

3D printers have been around for a while. They are cool though.

 

[Krynj]

But can it print....a 3D printer?

 

[SMOGZINN]

But can it print....a 3D printer?

Yes, it can. You can even download the files for it online for free.

Check out RepRap, a 3D printer that can print itself: http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

[Doppel]

Earlier in the vid it shows a more complex object with many moving parts all printed at once, that is pretty cool.

 

[Doppel]

I am trying to create a 3d printer that can not only print another 3d printer but also print up the powder and binder required to make the end result. It will be a self-sustaining, self-perpetuating printer.

 

[Ns1]

Yes, it can. You can even download the files for it online for free.

Check out RepRap, a 3D printer that can print itself: http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

what the hell...

 

[Printer Bandit]

how much does the "ink" cost?

 

[Bignate603]

It definitely has a future to it. If the plastics are hard enough to truly make things like tools (or will be) a consumer could print objects up or buy recipes to print objects or manufacturers could create items far quicker than in the past.

They're good for small quantities of some things, but I don't think we'll see traditional manufacturing techniques disappear for mass produced things. There is an interesting opportunity though for mass produced custom items, where they are made in large quantities but are made to custom sizes or shapes. For example, Invisilign makes their "invisible braces" using a different kind of rapid prototyping machine that allows them to make create custom shaped forms that exactly match each customer's teeth.

 

[Jeff7]

I am trying to create a 3d printer that can not only print another 3d printer but also print up the powder and binder required to make the end result. It will be a self-sustaining, self-perpetuating printer.

Except for some odd reason, it will require a constant infusion of human blood, which it will learn to seek out and forcibly acquire.

Coming this summer: "The Deathening 3: Out of Toner"

 

[mizzou]

i don't understand how the scanner can see underneath sheilded areas of complex objects.

it looked like just a top visual scan, how does it know the size of the shafts which the wheels circulate around?

 

[Merad]

i don't understand how the scanner can see underneath sheilded areas of complex objects.

it looked like just a top visual scan, how does it know the size of the shafts which the wheels circulate around?

Thats what I was wondering. Have to be some additional steps they aren't showing.

Edit: Lol, I just saw today's xkcd:

 

[The Boston Dangler]

the abs extrusion types seem kinda blah, but the powder based ones are still massively expensive.

dear santa,
despite erroneous reports i have been made aware of, i have been an exceptionally good boy this year....

 

[Lithium381]

that's awesome, not sure if i see it for actual production but for prototypes or concepts of cars or other such things that is awesome

 

[Lifted]

How exactly is this supposed to work in space?

 

[Ichinisan]

It would be cool to be able to print a dock or dock insert whenever you get a new phone or case / protector.

 

[deadlyapp]

The ink is still insanely expensive. The ones that lay down a high density plastic aren't quite so bad, but are not nearly as accurate and strong. They have a minimum thickness of around 50 thousandths or so.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

How exactly is this supposed to work in space?

you could either use charge-coupled stuff or a centrifugal drum. maybe a cyclonic vessel, i don't think the lasers care.

 

[Leros]

How exactly is this supposed to work in space?

Instead of bringing every conceivable thing you need, you just bring printing material and a 3d printer. You can bring a database of design files, download them from Earth, or design parts yourself as you need.

Oh and the design shown in the video will only work if you have some kind of gravity. There are other 3d printer designs that would work in no gravity.

 

[Leros]

Yes, it can. You can even download the files for it online for free.

Check out RepRap, a 3D printer that can print itself: http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

RepRap is far from being capable of printing itself. That is just the goal for the project. If I recall, it can print about 50% of the parts necessary to construct another.

 

[RelaxTheMind]

it would make autopart stores have almost EVERY part that you would possibly need.

 

[halik]

I am trying to create a 3d printer that can not only print another 3d printer but also print up the powder and binder required to make the end result. It will be a self-sustaining, self-perpetuating printer.

I'll make a printer of that printer just to spite you