Hey Jean, Thanks for that link. I'm always thrilled to see articles on the topic of rapid prototyping. I've been getting RP models produced at my graphics conference for years. Then, last year I bought a MakerBot system(although, since it's a kind of DIY kit - it actually kinda sucked putting it together). But, I have it working - and I have been printing a ton of stuff since last September when I had it fully functional.
My machine - like many of the other consumer grade/home/hobbyist type machines are limited in the size of what they can print. For instance, the volume for my machine is about 100cmx100cmx130cm approximately. The newest model of the MakerBot - the Replicator - they claim it can make something the size of a loaf of bread - which I think is a bit of an exaggeration - as I think it only doubles maybe the length of what mine can do. I've actually made things - where, to make a larger sized object - I print in pieces and then assemble them together. And, like they mentioned in the article - mine prints ABS plastic. So - putting to pieces together - and applying Acetone to the joint - it creates a solid connection - almost like welding. But - as they said in the article - you would need bigger machines to print something like that properly. And they are much more expensive than what I have (DIY machines like mine might run between $800 - $3000, with one new model at $9999). But, the machines to make bigger parts and are much more sophisticated - are more along the range of $50K to $250K. If someone can spend that kinda money for a machine - they might as well just pay the high price of getting the same gun on the black market - as its probably MUCH Easier to do it that was - since, owning & running one of these machines also takes specialized knowledge. Although - along these lines of guns - something I've wanted to do (but, with working on too many other things - I never have the time) - is to build "guns" for Xbox & Wii game systems - guns that you can insert the game controllers into - and use them to the play war games. But, again - with my machine - I'd have to print it in parts - and they have to be accurate enough to properly assemble the gun together... -K- -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jean Laeremans Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 7:44 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [NF] print your own gun. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/30/3d_printed_assault_rifle/ _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/289ea162f5642645b5cf64d624c66a140e260...@us-ny-mail-002.waitex.net ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
