Anyone familiar with rapid prototype? (3d printers)
01-04-2006, 10:25 AM
#1
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My current night class teacher says he has a rapid prototype machine (maybe more than one, it wasn't clear) where he can make flexible or rigid products within a few hours after designing them in a cad program (out of a corn starch base that can be sprayed with a flexible or rigid coating, or made out of ABS plastic). Anyways, evidently the machines are getting more affordable (currently in the $25,000 range for the type he has), and it sounds really interesting. I want to see this thing work. He also worked for Honda doing 3d design for some motorcycles and ATVs.
Anyone have any interest in this? *cough*banzai*cough*
Anyone have any interest in this? *cough*banzai*cough*
01-04-2006, 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 1988RedT2' post='791905' date='Jan 4 2006, 12:01 PM
Mmmmm. Would the cornstarch prototype be edible?
A layer of corn starch is layed down, then the jet squirts out the first layer of the design with glue (like an inkjet printer works), then another layer of corn starch is layed down, then more glue. So you essentially have layers of corn starch glued together.
So if you were the kid who ate ALL the paste, then perhaps you could eat it.
01-04-2006, 01:53 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by Baldy' post='791912' date='Jan 4 2006, 12:53 PM
He explained it somewhat like this:
A layer of corn starch is layed down, then the jet squirts out the first layer of the design with glue (like an inkjet printer works), then another layer of corn starch is layed down, then more glue. So you essentially have layers of corn starch glued together.
So if you were the kid who ate ALL the paste, then perhaps you could eat it.
It really doesn't sound all that palatable. I think I'll go look in the fridge.
01-05-2006, 07:48 AM
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I ask:
he answer:
Could an ABS plastic part (or other type) be printed out with close enough tolerances to be used with moving parts? For example, if you created a throttle body (used in a not-real-hot location), could you drill some holes and install operational butterflies, and tap threads for fuel injectors and have it be an actual usable piece (even if just for a trial run)?
he answer:
The answer to all your questions is “yes”.
Most of the companies make a heat resistant material. One example was of a prototype coffee maker glass container. They also have shown prototype manifolds (which some were translucent).
You can tap the ABS parts or if the threads are large, you can design them in.
Most of the companies make a heat resistant material. One example was of a prototype coffee maker glass container. They also have shown prototype manifolds (which some were translucent).
You can tap the ABS parts or if the threads are large, you can design them in.
