I wasn't going to add anything but...I had a jeweler, who knew I had an
interest in computers, show me how he took an artists illustration, played
with it on a computer to give it 3D relief then with the push of a button
had a separate machine make a plastic 3-D replica for him to examine. He
would make any small modifications on his computer model then another
machine would create a mold. He said he produced the thousands of insignia
rings awarded the Desert Storm soldiers (I'm not sure if it was a nationwide
contract or just Fort Bragg) in a couple of weeks. The operation was smooth
enough to produce special order one of a kind rings and medallions as well.
He said it used to take up to a year to do the same work by hand. Pretty
slick. And that was several years ago.
-Chet
on 6/15/02 11:43 PM, Lallang_at_aol.com at Lallang_at_aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 06/15/2002 22:52:07, chrup_at_earthlink.net writes:
> <snip>
>> Now if we do it all 21st centure, you'd get out your 3D object scanner,
>> then your 3D modeling software and finish up what the scanner dragged in
>> from looking at the original battery, after which you insert a block of
>> solid steel into a small hole and after a few minutes and some rumbling,
>> the finished product drops out of the slot in the bottom.
> <snip>
>
> Actually, you're not too far off track. The 3D scanners and moulding=20
> machines actually exist right now. They just cost an arm and a leg, not to=20
> mention your firstborn, and are found in industrial settings due to their=20
> cost, size and weight. They are essentially 3D printers which use a plastic=
> =20
> material in powder form as raw material and a "binder" solution to set the=20
> powder. See http://www.zcorp.com for more details (click on "Product=20
> Information" in the side menu and then click on "the build process"). There=20
> are also 3D milling machines. See http://www.gravers.com/mdxcombo.html for=20
> more details.
>
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