3D Printing

[Sgt Beavis]

I was just curious if anyone here has or has built their own 3d printer yet? I'm jumping into this as a hobby for now but I think this is going to be THE disruptive technology of this decade.. The person that figures out 3d desktop METAL printing is going to be a multi billionaire.

I'm starting to shop around for a 3d printing kit like the Makerbot Replicator 2. Might buy that one but I'm not yet committed to it. The idea that you can make plastic parts with details down to 100 microns is an incredible one. NASA helped develop a new metal printing technique that they use to make rocket engine components. I think you'll be able to print an entire car within our lifetime. Some have already done this with the chassis and body panels but I'm talking the entire car, including the engine.

Just think how our world will change when people can literally print whatever they want or need.

[bcar]

I had one and sold it, it served the purpose I needed it for. Mine was a V Flash by 3 d systems not your cheap home built job. The accuracy was not what they claimed and the parts it made were not strong enough to be very useful. There is some high end machines that can print powdered metal that are very good but they are extremely expensive at this time. Several years from now prices will drop but who knows how long it will take.