3D Printing

[Bigaldoc]

How 'bout this for science fiction?

YouTube - ‪3D Printer‬‏

[HansV]

And the most important application will be ... printing chocolate!
See this thread.

[StuartR]

I first saw a prototype 3D printer in action in 2004, and they have really improved since then. We have a whole display of assorted things that have been printed at work and some of them are unbelievable.

[ChrisGreaves]

And the most important application

.. In the first few, and the last few seconds of the clip come the key ideas.
(1) SciFi teleporting machines
(2) If you lose your tool, just print another one.

So now, on Earth, we scan a complete toolkit, stored digitally.
We rocket a printer (and resin) to the moon.
Then we beam-up tools, on a on-demand basis.

Presumably conductive-resin could build circuitry.

So that, at long last, Martin Gardner's "Gliders" could spring to life on a remote world.

[StuartR]

One suggestion I saw was to print a basic phone, including all the buttons and all the circuitry. Just add a battery.

[ChrisGreaves]

Just add a battery.

nah!

Another batch of resin, add 1 tsp salt, then move this thread to the Cooking Forum!

[Leif]

Presumably conductive-resin could build circuitry.

No - conductive ink and stuff - already being done...

Just add a battery.

And to recharge it, just Print Solar Cells With an Inkjet Printer

What we really need is a printer that prints its own replacement cartridges...

[StuartR]

You can already get a 3d printer that can print 3d printers! (Well nearly all the parts can be printed anyway).

[ChrisGreaves]

You can already get a 3d printer that can print 3d printers.

Coming soon to a bookstore near you: "The laser man's guide to oodles of paper money".

Which makes me think:

How would this 3D laser printer go about reproducing a book.
The paper bit ought to be easy, but, mechanically, the binding?

[Leif]

How would this 3D laser printer go about reproducing a book.
The paper bit ought to be easy, but, mechanically, the binding?

Come on Chris, get with the beat! You just print yourself an Espresso.

[ChrisGreaves]

The paper bit ought to be easy,

Come on Chris, get with the beat! You just print yourself an Espresso.

Yabbut.
Books are not that easy.
First let's see it reproduce a single leif.

[DenGar]

And the most important application will be ... printing chocolate!
See this thread.

And singing "Chocolate": http://vimeo.com/9743165

[Skitterbug]

Come on Chris, get with the beat! You just print yourself an Espresso.

I thought you were talking about a delicious coffee until I checked the link.

[BobH]

Finally got around to watching this!

AWESOME ! ! ! !