Open-Source 3D Printer Lets Users Make Anything 242
An anonymous reader writes "Picture a 3D inkjet printer that deposits droplets of plastic, layer by layer, gradually building up an object of any shape. Fabbers have been around for two decades, but they've always been the pricey playthings of high-tech labs — and could only use a single material. A Fab at Home kit costs around $2400 and allows users to print anything from Hors d'Oeuvres to flashlights."
Gives new meaning to (Score:3, Insightful)
in other news... (Score:3, Insightful)
Throw some Chinese out of work for a change! (Score:3, Insightful)
It could be very useful (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:material (Score:2, Insightful)
it's suitably viscous, dries rather quickly, and its stiff flexibility makes it virtually indestructible.
Do remember to have the nozzels flushed with something more easily removed, like hot glue, after each pass.
Re:Any shape? (Score:3, Insightful)
Obvious Use -- Make Fingerprints (Score:2, Insightful)
Read a person's fingerprints etc, ideally remotely from an RFID passport, but more likely by hacking an official reader. Then 3D fabricate copies. No need to hack off their fingers now.
Re:who cares (Score:3, Insightful)
Back in the day, HP sold scads of laser printers to small businesses in this price range. $2400 isn't in your average hobbyist's pocket book, but it's low enough to open up a "We Make It" store-front in your local strip mall. Of course, there's no guarantee how long such businesses will last. If the price on these things drops into the $1200 range or lower, anyone who really needs the fab service would probably buy their own. That's probably a closer future than nano-tech vats converting garbage to gold.
Re:I'm not convinced... (Score:3, Insightful)
This is a truly worthwhile undertaking with remarkable possibilities - I wish more people would get behind it.
Re:It could be very useful (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't want to be unkind and ask if you get out much, but surely we can think of better used for this.
Re:For around the same budget... (Score:3, Insightful)
For the same budget there are plenty of desktop options for CNC type machines that could be considered to be in the same small form-factor, rapid prototyping league, but with better flexibility and that work with real materials. 5 seconds of effort on a search engine will turn up matches.
Here's something simple [fireballcnc.com] that I found selling on ebay for less than $500 right now. Surely there are more options, but I'm not going to do everyone's homework for them. Don't get lost in the details: as neat as inkjet printed objects are conceptually - I'm sure it will have its place in the world - as someone who actually does enjoy prototyping and designing mechanical gadgets, I prefer traditional approaches to fabrication that are equally within grasp.
Re:Manufacturing is a solved problem (Score:3, Insightful)
Wanna be a billionaire? (Score:3, Insightful)
The first personal computers...
http://www.blinkenlights.com/pc.shtml [blinkenlights.com]
They all started looking like this thing. Someone will develop a better media, multiple colours, multiple media, a more accurate nozzle, finer motor control, better software etc etc. They might well turn out to be the next Hewlett or Packard.
Re:It could be very useful (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:in other news... (Score:3, Insightful)