More rapid prototyping / self replicating machine stuff
I broke one of the starch-plastic test bars by hand (which happily took some effort) and found that only a thin shell on the outside had hardened, and the inside was still pasty. I think I need to change the formula, add some plaster of paris or something else that will react with the water in the glue to form a solid, instead of waiting for it to evaporate on its own, which seems to take days.
Alternately, these guys have a cool method for making metal parts from scratch:
http://www.arcam.com/
Electron beam melting; it's like using a souped-up electron beam gun from a CRT TV set or an electron microscope to selectively melt and sinter together metal powder into a solid shape. Advantages include very high part strength, lots of options on part geometry, and the ability to make electrically conductive parts. Disadvantages are the need for a vacuum chamber inside the device, and the relatively expensive powdered metal raw materials. Is there any cheap, common source for powdered metal?
One of the designers is giving a talk Wednesday morning; I definitely want to go and get more details.
Alternately, these guys have a cool method for making metal parts from scratch:
http://www.arcam.com/
Electron beam melting; it's like using a souped-up electron beam gun from a CRT TV set or an electron microscope to selectively melt and sinter together metal powder into a solid shape. Advantages include very high part strength, lots of options on part geometry, and the ability to make electrically conductive parts. Disadvantages are the need for a vacuum chamber inside the device, and the relatively expensive powdered metal raw materials. Is there any cheap, common source for powdered metal?
One of the designers is giving a talk Wednesday morning; I definitely want to go and get more details.