I'm surprised there is no cutting fluid being sprayed on it. Most all the multi-axis CNC machines I've seen (not many, admittedly--not my department), required a pretty constant flow of oil. Is this some advancement in cutting tool technology, or is it just that aluminum is soft enough not to need it?

I understand NASA has used 3D printing to create fuel injectors (or something like that) for rocket engines with considerable success. Since it's a solid metal shape with lots of vacant internal channels, there would otherwise have to be a lot of design and construction concessions if it's going to be cut or forged. I suspect that sort of 3D printing will be quite revolutionary for manufacturing once it doesn't cost stupid amounts of money.

In general, yes, it is quite wasteful. In theory, 3D printing is a much more efficient way to achieve complex shapes.

However, there are some applications which aren't suitable for 3D printing yet. It certainly won't have the same physical stability, etc as a milled piece of solid metal.

I think this one is even more impressive
*related=http://videosift.com/video/Bike-Fun-Machine-makes-a-helmet

T8 3D Printed Octoped Robot - Spider Salsa Rumba! has been added as a related post - related requested by eric3579 on that post.

What blows me away is we have gone from goods being expensive, 1-off, completely custom items, to inexpensive, mass-produced, one-size-fits-all items, to inexpensive, 1-off, completely custom items.

A 1930s hand crafted wind up watch -> a Timex quartz watch -> a self-designed, 3D printed, wind-up watch that looks identical to the 1930s handcrafted one.

Right, but can I 3D print a 3D printer? If I'm paying $2.2k, I'd like to recoup that by selling a copy of the thing I just bought.

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Tags for this video have been changed from 'ASAP' to 'ASAP, 3D Printing' - edited by Trancecoach

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But can you 3D print the ammo?

Well it will only set you back about $850,000 to get the printer so...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/3d-printed-gun-metal_n_4234900.html

1. Industrial design of this type is more about math and data, not about intuitive understanding.

So controlling things with your hands looks like a gimmick which would be useless for power-users. For power-users, their mouse and keyboard shortcuts become extensions of their mind.


2. I had no idea we can 3d print now using titanium, rather than just plastic

That part really does conjure up the Iron Man movies... the lone designer designing and printing in his garage without needing to wait for a titanium factory 10,000 miles away to create your prototype and ship it to you.

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> soon to be replaced by 3D printed lost wax casting

In 2026, the first molten metal inkjet with > 500 dpi spatial resolution is created. Metals are transported as tiny balls and then fused with high power photonics. No matter what is created, it ends up as a single crystal of metal.

Hand carved lost wax casting... soon to be replaced by 3D printed lost wax casting.

its weird. I'm pro gun control, but I also really don't have too much of a problem with 3d printing being used for something like this.

One way or the other. America (and the world) has to...grow up and re-evaluate weapons and/or the people using those weapons.

In other words, One way or another, we are going to HAVE TO (in order for the species to survive) figure out a way to NOT kill each other.

whether it's some magic gun control law/enforcement or whether or it's a revolution in mental health care and/or conflict resolution or whether everything gets worse and there are thousands more mass shootings/killings and the survivors finally crack and say enough is enough.

One way or another. It will get better. Because 3d printers aren't going anywhere and they're going to get better and better. So either we figure it out, or the species ceases to be.