saave your old Valk parts that are broke.....just in case

[Chrisj CMA]

http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/498ebd00a62edaa0/47fe70d4555df05a/9e46bd46/-cpid/ba4377d3bfd6c81

[Kymbo]

awesome technology I want one.

[sugerbear]

several years ago i worked with a couple of docs on making "filler" plates for children's skulls that were misshapen from birth.
we would do a head CT, input the raw data into a computer program, and on to a digital milling machine.

the machine would make a replacement skull piece, the surgeon would implant it and the childs head would be of normal shape, so the brain could grow correctly.

pretty neat stuff.

just can't remember their names now CRS ya know. ???

[Serk]

One of those, combined with a lathe that can directly make steel reproductions, and we don't hafta worry about silly BS like gun control any more... 

[Psychotic Bovine]

the printer has me speechless. that "assembled" machine while "printing" just blew me away.

[ArmyValker]

Man that was unfrickinbelievable. That steam engine was ridiculous.

[alph]

Great.  another tool i've got to buy for the garage!!

[Scanner]

The tech he's showing there is the "hobbyist" version of the technology I utilize at Boeing - hence my handle "Scanner".  The scanners I use are portable and collect 4 million coordinate points per 7 second scan. The scans are tied together using targeting for large objects - like a 747.

We can load out the 3D data into - much larger - Rapid Prototype machines (Stereo Lithography and sintering) and create the type models shown, except larger and more accurate.  We can also produce the models directly in Titanium in addition to plastics.

Very cool stuff, bit also very expensive.  Our scanners (ATOS) run about 200K each and the RP machines a couple of mil each.

Tech is also being used in medical (prosthetics), defense, accident investigation, digital wind tunnels (CFD)...even racing where a head is scanned and the data used to form custom-fit helmets. 

There is one on the space station where if they need a part (delivery is kinda slow and expensive) they can upload a file and create it right there.

HP is coming out with a desktop 3D printer for a couple of K.   Soon if you need a replacement knob for the broken one on the oven, you will just download the file and print the knob out right in your kitchen.

Cool stuff indeed!

[ArmyValker]

boy, what I would give for a week with that titanium printer You could make a living on aftermarket parts.

[Garland]

Man, that is cool! Once we all have one it will ruin the market for those $800 Hondaline saddlebag guards on Ebay!

[BF]

Looks like that thing is big enough to spit out some sets of hard bags too.