RepRap - an interesting device

[AdeV]

Not engine related in any way, but a fascinating concept, especially if you plan to live in the middle of nowhere...

http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

[sailawayrb]

Interesting, but actually an old concept/approach...invented shortly after plastic came into wide use I reckon.  We used these devices 30+ years ago in the states to rapid prototype part designs. Then computers and CAD/CAM/CAE were invented which allow accomplishing the same purpose, but much faster and more accurately...and also handle much bigger and more complicated parts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CATIA

Bob B.

[injin man]

To have one that would make wax models for investment castings would
make a lot of sense on many levels. Then to have one that could spray metal
powder similar to arc spray?

[BioHazard]

Hmmmm...self replicating devices? Anybody see that movie "virus" with jamie lee curtis?  

I've been thinking about getting one of those "compucarve" things that basically prints stuff out of wood. (or any other soft machineable substance)

[AdeV]

Interesting, but actually an old concept/approach...invented shortly after plastic came into wide use I reckon.  We used these devices 30+ years ago in the states to rapid prototype part designs.

Heh, I guess it just goes to show that a good idea will keep getting invented over & over again...

FWIW, I think the RepRap idea is more aimed at the home user to allow him or her to make replacement parts for "things", rather than a prototyping tool which - as you say - would be a good CAD/CAE package these days.

To have one that would make wax models for investment castings would make a lot of sense on many levels.

I'm sure it wouldn't be impossible to do that; you'd need to build the extruder somewhat differently, I guess you'd have a resevoir of molten wax on top & the extruder would cool the wax to its setting point as it extruded it, otherwise the thing you were printing would just flop over, or end up resembling a dribbly candle...

Bio - that sounds like a CNC milling machine to me...?

[BioHazard]

Bio - that sounds like a CNC milling machine to me...?

Yeah, that's basically what they are I guess. They have 3D scanners too so you can literally copy something in wood. They go for a little over a grand on ebay...

http://www.carvewright.com/2010CWweb/index.htm