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01-13-2012, 12:48 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Austin
Posts: 130
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3-D Printer at CES practical applications For RV's
I was reviewing some of the items being introduced at CES this evening on line and saw something interesting, a 3d printer.
http://ces.cnet.com/2300-33368_1-100...ol%3bcnetRiver
It uses several different types of plastic. It might be interesting what items could be designed out of ABS plastic that could be used in the experimental aircraft. And imagine if a airworthy material could be used in the printer to just print out an airplane in the future.
G.W. Moore
RV8 tail kit completed
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01-13-2012, 01:51 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 211
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Love it
I already have a quote from a group in Sydney that is going to be doing some 3D printing for the interior. Its not that expensive and the resulting material is really lite.
The real cost is in design.
__________________
Gus Bisbal
RV7
Obsession only exists when someone else isn't doing it too.
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01-13-2012, 07:06 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 70
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I'm not an RV builder yet, but I have some experience with this machinery, including evaluating and purchasing one for a startup that I worked for. FDM (this technology) is the way to go for functional parts IMO.
In summary - WOW. 1700$ for that sort of capability is just tremendous. The smaller machine has some limitations, but at 1100 for an unassembled kit, just great...
The only material I see with real potential is the ABS, which is flammable, so I'd caution using it in an RV in any real quantity, but for prototyping, well, it's perfect. These are also good for creating prototype parts, test jigs, and fixturing for manufacturing.
I'm interested to see if there's a market out there for this. The prices of these things would make it pretty easy to put one in my home office....
Last edited by sthopkins : 01-13-2012 at 07:08 AM.
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01-13-2012, 08:56 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In New Braunfels, ist das Leben schön!
Posts: 871
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An article in Barron's last year said 3-D printing might be a global game changer. No longer will you have to make 10,000 in China, just print one when you need it. They estimated that 20% of the 3-D printing done today is for end use, not just prototyping. Boeing makes many parts using 3-D printing. Almost no waste vs. up to 90% when machining which adds up when using titanium or other expensive media plus it can be designed more efficiently. You can't cast or machine some internal configurations that you can print. Just wish I knew which company was the next microsoft of the 3-D printing world.
__________________
Larry New
RV-7A - Built, flying 900+ hrs
RV-10 - Built, flying 2.9 hrs
??? - RV-12, Subsonex
48 States in 7 Days!
VAF Paid - Annual Autodraft
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01-13-2012, 09:10 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,564
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I talked a friend of mine at work into building a Makerbot about 2 months ago. It's very cool. I've been very surprised with how durable the ABS plastic is. He brings in something to work he made the night before just about every day to show off.
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Please don't PM me! Email only!
Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
N7925P PA-24-250 Comanche, restoring
Not a thing I own is stock.
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01-13-2012, 10:23 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 4,652
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c177tx
...And imagine if a airworthy material could be used in the printer to just print out an airplane in the future...
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Well, aerospace companies are in fact building flightworthy parts from this technology. It simply goes from the engineer's CATIA terminal to the "printer" to the ship... Pretty cool.
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
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Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
RV-8 - SDS CPI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C
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01-13-2012, 10:37 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: West Linn, Oregon
Posts: 1,351
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I could easily see some areas where someone could use this to make their own custom parts.
Custom Stick Grips
Colored Switch covers (even for the stick grip)
Gust Locks
flap switch
Stand offs
Door Handles
Fuel Selector Handle
Throttle Quadrant Custom hand pieces
__________________
CharlieWaffles - But you can call me " Mark"
RV-10
N928MT
Flying - AKA Still Tinkering
Build Project Site
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01-13-2012, 10:44 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In New Braunfels, ist das Leben schön!
Posts: 871
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c177tx
And imagine if a airworthy material could be used in the printer to just print out an airplane in the future.
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Airbus plans to print an entire wing:
http://www.popsci.com/technology/art...-aircraft-wing
__________________
Larry New
RV-7A - Built, flying 900+ hrs
RV-10 - Built, flying 2.9 hrs
??? - RV-12, Subsonex
48 States in 7 Days!
VAF Paid - Annual Autodraft
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01-13-2012, 11:14 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sun city, Ca.
Posts: 255
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I own an FDM machine. Build envelope is 10x10x12. The machine is amazing and some parts can be functional. Most, if not all FDM's require two build materials. The ABS plastic and support material. Cost runs about 7$ per cubic inche for build materials. Some parts may require very little ABS material, but a lot of support material. We primarily use it for models to take molds off of. This little machine cost 40k, but worth every penny in my opinion.
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01-13-2012, 03:49 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larrynew
An article in Barron's last year said 3-D printing might be a global game changer. No longer will you have to make 10,000 in China, just print one when you need it. They estimated that 20% of the 3-D printing done today is for end use, not just prototyping. Boeing makes many parts using 3-D printing. Almost no waste vs. up to 90% when machining which adds up when using titanium or other expensive media plus it can be designed more efficiently. You can't cast or machine some internal configurations that you can print. Just wish I knew which company was the next microsoft of the 3-D printing world.
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My use (~5 years med device development) was probably 90% end use.
I'd say that there's no Microsoft in 3-d printing (intercompatibility isn't a big driver in selection) but IMO Stratasys has the best FDM product.
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