3D Fabrication For Hobbyists

Print 3D shapes from your PC for $2400

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News

3D Fabrication is something that's pretty well established in the engineering world and is used to quickly build prototypes for machine parts.  The process is based on laying down layers of plastic, building up the shape layer by layer.  The only problem with these devices is that they typically run between $20,000 - $100,000 to purchase.  Don't even think about repair and "refill" costs.

Well, soon, that technology may become a heck of a lot cheaper.  So cheap in fact, that any techno-hobbyist could probably scrounge up the cash to get one.  At least, that's assuming Cornell PhD candidate Evan Malone gets his way.  The guy who built soccer-playing robots for his Masters, and is working on a device that will build a robot, complete with power pack and all the goodies is looking to take the knowledge gained in his robot fabrication research to the private sector, and make technology that could inspire a new industry, much the way computer kits helped jump start the PC revolution all those years ago.

Malone has even begun publishing his work on the project, Fab@Home in a dedicated wiki, where you can get software, and early instructions on how to start building your own 3D fabrication machine.  Total price to build?  Less than $2400!

Read more at ArsTechnica.

3 Reply 9 Referrals
seldomseen
Reply #1 Saturday, April 14, 2007 3:47 PM
This is certainly an idea to follow the developments of, as it progresses down to us as consumers. After some thought as to how it could be applied in my own daily life, I'm beginning to come up with some pretty far out uses. Dishes that could be reformed instead of washed over and over. A cabinet-sized/styled appliance that could conceivably recycle and reform common everyday objects, perhaps with an occasional top-up of raw material. Custom home fabrication of household hardware, tools, toothbrushes, auto parts, toy parts and entire mechanisms...the list expands exponentially when one stops to consider the possibilities. This is one I'd like not to 'fall thru the cracks', and will be watching developments/applications every chance I get. What a brainstorm. Self-replicating machinery?! Think about that concept for a bit and it really tweaks the mind! LEGO Mindstorms is another concept that comes to mind. Man, when I was a kid, I used to wonder if the moon was actually a movie-prop with only the front facing us and the back held up by 2 X 4 braces...

ZubaZ
Reply #2 Saturday, April 14, 2007 4:08 PM
Man, when I was a kid, I used to wonder if the moon was actually a movie-prop with only the front facing us and the back held up by 2 X 4 braces...


Shhh!  They'll hear you.

 

seldomseen
Reply #3 Saturday, April 14, 2007 7:36 PM
Neo?...Is that Neo?... Coppertop?...    

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