View Single Post
Old 12th April 2014, 23:11   #23
Jumper75
Loves to post
 
Jumper75's Avatar
 
Rover 75 Connoisseur CDT Tourer

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cardigan
Posts: 358
Thanks: 6
Thanked 49 Times in 44 Posts
Default

I don't think the point here was to print the engine and the brakes using any sort of machine our members could afford.

It would be very handy however for duplicating door handles, clips and bits of trim, bulb holders, knobs, etc.

I also don't agree with the idea that printed materials will be inherently weak, the technology of laying down lines of material like that has been used for decades by welders refacing heavy cutting tools and it's perfectly good. As for plastics, ABS and Nylon are both common and those are well known for being tough.

Now if you could print metal you could print otherwise impossible structures. For example you could print a honeycombed metal chassis, made of materials otherwise too heavy to use like 1090 steel, with an incredible strength to weight ratio and no welds. You could even print the brake lines into the middle of the metal if you want. This technology will make possible very efficient designs that couldn't be built otherwise.
Jumper75 is offline   Reply With Quote