Difference between revisions of "Talk:Virtual designs into physical objects"

Revision as of 00:25, 2 July 2007

Combined section on Computer-controlled flexible manufacturing techniques

Great picture of engine block being milled: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Vertikalbearbeitungszentrum_Hermle_C_30_U.jpg

Fortune magazine article on Gershenfeld: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2006/11/13/8393124/index.htm

Build your own pcb mill http://web.mit.edu/kumpf/www/pcbmill.html

Build your own cnc machine http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/29/how-to-build-your-own-cnc-machine-part-1/

Solid metal parts: http://www.gizmag.co.uk/go/5312. ARCAM electron-Beam Melting (EBM). Layer thickness 0.05mm

Nanotech as ultimate fabrication system (although not possible yet)

• Rapid injection mouldings, vac forming etc

Loughborough uni automated house building (and decorating I think too)

3D scanning

• MeshLab

Even 3D printing of replacement human organs using cells

http://www.techok.com/quickcast.html

Keywords: Solid freeform fabrication

Metadata associated with designs

Likely that additive fabrication, CNC machining and inkjet printing (for colour, conductive inks, battery chemicals etc) might be combined into a single desktop machine...Mini fab lab.

What are the limits with size?

Large

• Jigsaw shaped metal pieces that fit together, then welded under computer control - could make extremely strong structures of almost any size.

• Other modular building blocks

Small

• http://www.itg.uiuc.edu/exhibits/iotw/2007-03-13
• MEMS / Biotechnology
• How is this for high resolution? http://www.physorg.com/news4295.html
• Molecular nanotechnology

Articles

• http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/insideit/story/0,,2044800,00.html