Re: Now if this could be used to make Packard parts

Posted by bkazmer On 2017/2/13 15:55:38

not sure where previous post went, but:

3D printing is over 20 yrs old, but describes at least four types of things these days.

1) The cheapest is the type that melts a reel of thermoplastic (looks like lawn trimmer cord). Very limited choice of materials, strength of part not equal to molded, thermoformed, extruded. Quite affordable hobbyist machines from several sources. ABS has some use, I really don't see much use for PLA. Akin to a very well controlled glue gun.

2) Sintered plastic powder, moving bed. The original concept. Builds a part from small cross sections. Limited plastic types, and as said , not so cheap. Good for making cores for lost wax.

3) Liquid plastic. Able to make transparent/clear parts. Probably capable of an adequate tail light lens, but competes with cast PMMA or PU

4) Sintered metal. there is a hobby type in prototype, patents ran out 2016. Strength not the same as traditional metal working.

It's evolving rapidly, but it bears in mind to think of material and part properties, not just geometry match