Future of 3D printing

[Binkspot]

I know this in particular is not about screen printing but the way 3D printers are changing the world is almost inconceivable at this point. Machine down and need a part just print one. 
http://gcaptain.com/maersk-tankers-explores-3d-printing-of-spare-parts/

[mk162]

most of the 3D printers out there use a fairly flimsy plastic.  There is a great CNC machine that cuts amazing detail that can work with more substrates.

That being said, some of the machines do use higher grade plastic and some can even print with metal.

They are changing things quickly and I think it will allow the next generation of inventors and engineers the ability to release products faster and better designed.  I would not be shocked if Maersk was looking at this for a long time now, since I think I saw a program on TV about 3 years ago where they printed a functioning adjustable wrench that could actually be used as a tool and not a toy.

[Shanarchy]

I thought about this for a while. When I heard about the wrench that brad is referring to my mind has been blown.

All I could think about is having one at the house, and you need a part for your lawnmower, car, etc. Just hit the print button.

I honestly can not comprehend this.

[prozyan]

Here is the video showing the 3D printed wrench and its functionality.  It was part of a Nat Geo special three years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-aWFYT_SU

[Inkworks]

Yeah but can it do Gildan 2000's with a 6 color front and 2 colour back at 60 doz/hour.... Then we'd have something

[Shanarchy]

Yeah but can it do Gildan 2000's without the grease stains...Then we'd have something 

[Inkworks]

Then they wouldn't be a true Gildan now would they 

[Shanarchy]

Then they wouldn't be a true Gildan now would they 

You make a strong point sir.

[ericheartsu]

my biggest question for these 3d printers, and forgive me if it's a dumb one, but say a lawnmower part does break, and you need to print another one.

How does it go from broken part, to a digital version the printer can understand, to a physical product in your hand? would there just be templates you could buy/grab online?

[sqslabs]

my biggest question for these 3d printers, and forgive me if it's a dumb one, but say a lawnmower part does break, and you need to print another one.

How does it go from broken part, to a digital version the printer can understand, to a physical product in your hand? would there just be templates you could buy/grab online?

I'm guessing you'd go to the manufacturers website and they'd have the file available for download.  They'll probably charge for it as well, and when they do the pirates will be right there to offer it for free via torrent or whatever comes next.

It will be very interesting to see how this pans out, and how long it is before there's one in every home.  Imagine going to Amazon and making a purchase, and printing out what you bought on the spot.  Of course, they'll be another side to it as well and people will also be able to download and print out a gun.

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mhl45ediih/the-liberator/

Amazing technology for sure, and one I believe will eventually change the way we buy and sell products.  Regulating it will be the hard part.

[mimosatexas]

my biggest question for these 3d printers, and forgive me if it's a dumb one, but say a lawnmower part does break, and you need to print another one.

How does it go from broken part, to a digital version the printer can understand, to a physical product in your hand? would there just be templates you could buy/grab online?

For the new age $1k-$2k versions of these printers, which you typically put together yourself, you wouldn't really be able to make a lasting part for something like a lawn mower.  Typically they use somewhat soft plastic, which you sand a bit at the end.  There are a handful of printers that use a ceramic dust and either a laser which heats and solidifies the dust, or some kind of a glue is printed in layers, and sometimes even different colors can be directly printed into the material for multicolored modelling without having to paint anything.  Again, the final product isn't very durable and more decorative.

Now on the industrial side, there are systems that have a 3D laser scanner, which you can put literally any item into, get a rough model, clean up the nodes in whatever modeling software and make any necessary augmentations, then "print" the item using structural materials like metal or durable composites.  These are more like 3D CNC machines though as they typically remove material vs adding material like a printer.  I know there is a video floating around that shows Jay Leno using one in his garage.  He explains that he bought one because he had cars that were rare and old enough that getting replacement parts for them was impossible, so when something breaks, they simply put the piece in the scanner, clean it up on the computer and "print" out a brand new part.  pretty sweet!  Those machines are around $50k minimum.

here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZrJsrTT4EA

[blue moon]

actual metal 1911 replica has been made with one of these already and it worked fine. They did make separate parts and assembled them, it could not be printed as one piece.
gun blueprints are readily available online, free of charge. . .

pierre

[mk162]

this is another arena where printers will be a HUGE benefit...things that aren't made anymore.

I own a classic car and sometimes the parts are either junk or not made at all...prime example is the tachometer gear box...the new ones are total junk and they aren't even made anymore.

[3Deep]

They just open a 3D printing company here in our city about a month or so ago, they had a grand open and tours but I forgot about it, would've really like to seen one of those printers first hand.

darryl

[Binkspot]

The 3D scan and someone able to touch up the image to make it workable is the key.

I have been following the 3D printing for several years and the posiablities are almost endless. I had the opertunity on several occasions to watch it happen and play with the finished products. The one that impressed me the most was a small 90 degree gear set with threaded holes to mount the off the shelf bearings. The end result functioned but was not suitable for used only an example of the capabilities of the machine. I have also seen parts that were made using the lost casting method that the plugs were printed and the mfg was able to have closer tolerances which equated to less machining of the final product.  The four major hold backs at this point which will be over come in the not to distant future are cost of equipment, size of finished product, speed and types of materials that can be used.

Time and time again I have been in situations where the parts needed were not immediately avaliable or the spares on hand were damaged or unusable due to poor storage or handling. This type of parts manufacturing opens up a whole new window of opertunity for storage of spares where space maybe limited.