Did anyone see the news reports of CLIP 3-D printing technology, announced by Carbon3D? It has several advantages that could interest model builders: faster speed, more complex shapes, and a wider range of materials. It doesn't use a layer-by-layer method, so presumably the surface texture would be better. The big question: can it be done for a reasonable price?
I did not see that one ... but interesting! I still have a long way to go to understand how it works anyway.
I'm sure with competition and paying back initial investment, pricing will evolve. In a few years, the process we have already seen will seem like something from the stone age.
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/347/6228/1349.short "This approach made structures tens of centimeters in size that could contain features with a resolution below 100 µm." Wow, I could have drip points on my n scale insulators!
Yes. It is not fiction. Not impossible. It is already here. I've hinted this was coming, several years back.
100 microns? One could model stubble on an HO scale figure's face! Once something like that goes mainstream, pricewise, it's going to affect model manufacturing overall, not just model trains. Need a new and better detailed shell on your perfectly good loco chassis? Download the CAD files from the inevitable sprouting community that will grow around such technology, click Print, and there's your wish.
Here's a TED talk by one of the coinventors... http://www.ted.com/talks/joe_desimone_what_if_3d_printing_was_25x_faster And here's an article with some pics... http://3dprint.com/51566/carbon3d-clip-3d-printing/ It looks like the surface quality could rival that of injenction molding. Steve S
Ken, TED lectures are available on TED.COM, also many on YouTube. TED lectures cover a myriad of subjects from smaller than Nano technology to larger than the reaches of the universe. They are fascinating to watch, and most are less than twenty minutes.
Exactly, 100 microns is not that impressive. Most of the 3d printed products I have seen are still not that good. They are bumpy and ridgy. Most of the 3d printers that are capably of very fine, clean detail, are very expensive and the materials are also pricey. I think it will get there, but it is not there yet. Just my opinion. Trey
It's impressive if you look at the bottom of the page of Steve's link comparing the scanning electron microscope photos of the CLIP vs FUD and you can instantly see that the CLIP process will be the way for us all to have Injection molding quality 3D printed objects.
