Carey,
3D printing is intended for prototyping and VERY limited production of small parts, like electronics. As with any RP process, the limitations are (1) price and (2) material selection. I've been producing kits using RP'd patterns since 2002 when the resolution improved from .006" layer thickness to .002", which is the current thickness for most higher-quality, rigid SLA materials. Yes, there are some "waxy" processes that routinely produce .0005" layers but those are usually small parts intended for lost wax casting. It's interesting to read the current thread on the Steam Freight Car List about RP and how these parts will "solve the problems" of 1-off kits. The fact is, no RP process will do that because of layering, cost and material make up. There is no "magic bullet". I've worked deep in the trenches of RP since 1995, just 7 years after the very first RP machine was sold. I was a sales engineer for an RP house for 4 years and know all too well how difficult it was to produce good quality parts. There was a LOT of scrap, a HUGE amount of expense to own/lease and operate the machines, and so on. The learning curve required to produce the type of parts I use for my patterns is not a curve at all . it's straight up (seemingly)! Jim King Smoky Mountain Model Works, Inc. Ph. (828) 777-5619 <www.smokymountainmodelworks.com>
