Subject:
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Re: Some brainstorming needed.
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Wed, 17 Mar 2004 16:10:02 GMT
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Original-From:
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Pavel Kyn <pavel.k@+nomorespam+rcn.com>
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Viewed:
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975 times
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Steve Baker wrote:
> I've been thinking about trying to build a '3D printer'. [...] The idea is to
> take a 3D CAD model inside your PC and to have some kind of robotic contraption
> build it for you in the real world. 1) One contraption had two large bins [...]
> full of something like dry plaster powder. [...] Something like an inkjet
> printer head sprays some coloured water [...]
The device you describe above is a 3D printer from Z-Corp.
http://www.zcorp.com/
I had the pleasure of using one, on loan from Z-Corp for a month. It is a
wonderful prototyping device, although SLA (stereolithography) prototyping systems
produce superior models (higher resolution, smoother, stronger). SLA systems are
much more expensive, however.
I printed several dozen 3D models, using the plaster-based powder. Model
cross-sections are "printed" onto consecutive powder layers with a low-viscosity
glue, emitted from an ink-jet printing subsystem. Once cleaned of loose powder,
the finished models are typically manually infused with cyanoacrylate glue, to give
them added strength.
One neat feature of this 3D printing technology, is that the loose powder surrounds
and supports the model being printed. Thus, it is possible to print 3D models
composed of separate, disconnected parts. You can print a chain, as well as a
working ball bearing race. You just need to ensure there are gaps through which
the encapsulated loose powder can be removed.
-Pavel
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Some brainstorming needed.
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| I've been thinking about trying to build a '3D printer'. These things exist in a number of commercial products - but they cost an absolute fortune and I've been thinking about making one using Lego robotics components. The idea is to take a 3D CAD (...) (20 years ago, 12-Mar-04, to lugnet.robotics)
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