On 17/02/2011 23:50, Peter Mayer wrote:
Hi,
The recent issue of the _Economist_ magazine has this as its title,
and contains a significant article devoted to 3-D printing, using
fabricators (or "fabbers"). Essentially these are forms of ink jet
printers which create 3-D objects in plastic or metal.
Shapeways (http://www.shapeways.com) is a commercial firm which will
'print' out objects, things in stainless steel, alumide, glass, nylon,
polycarbonate, acrylic. The maximum size for stainless steel (also
available in 'bronze diffused' matt) is 100cm(W)x45(D)x25(H) @ upwards
of $10 per cubic cm.
Can one 'print' a dial, gnomon and all, for example? Could an
incompetent like me print out a fabulously ornate gnomon which
hitherto only the likes of Tony Moss could create?
Go for it Peter! I charge much more than that!
Presumable the metal versions are made from 'sintered' powder which is
relatively soft and crumbly until 'baked' like a cake in a reducing
atmosphere.
Tony M. ;-)
As Agatha Christie's detective, Hercule Poroit was wont to say, it
makes one 'furiously to think'.
best wishes,
Peter
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