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The Water Cooler
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<blockquote data-quote="808racer" data-source="post: 2068621" data-attributes="member: 5249"><p>Right now, the challenges are achieving sufficient build accuracy (large tolerances) and achieving full material density. We have been using these machines for MANY years in the engineering/product development world for creating prototypes for checking fit/form/function prior to going to full production. There are some things you can do to the polymer parts, such as impregnating a strengthening resin. They can also be sealed with a sealer which improves strength, and allows for airflow/fluid flow testing. But the lifespan of these parts is just not quite there yet.</p><p></p><p>Wax printers are very nice for producing casting patterns for pouring aluminum and steel castings though. I've made many brackets, etc, for boat engines, combine/tractor engines that live forever in the field.</p><p></p><p>There are some 3D printer units that build metal parts using similar layer technology at very near full material density, that can be subsequently machined and used as a fully funtional production part. Accuracy is getting better, but we're not quite to the point where we can build net shape lower receivers without the need for machining. I do think it's just a matter of time before the technology can duplicate a 3D CAD model to within .0005" accuracy.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="808racer, post: 2068621, member: 5249"] Right now, the challenges are achieving sufficient build accuracy (large tolerances) and achieving full material density. We have been using these machines for MANY years in the engineering/product development world for creating prototypes for checking fit/form/function prior to going to full production. There are some things you can do to the polymer parts, such as impregnating a strengthening resin. They can also be sealed with a sealer which improves strength, and allows for airflow/fluid flow testing. But the lifespan of these parts is just not quite there yet. Wax printers are very nice for producing casting patterns for pouring aluminum and steel castings though. I've made many brackets, etc, for boat engines, combine/tractor engines that live forever in the field. There are some 3D printer units that build metal parts using similar layer technology at very near full material density, that can be subsequently machined and used as a fully funtional production part. Accuracy is getting better, but we're not quite to the point where we can build net shape lower receivers without the need for machining. I do think it's just a matter of time before the technology can duplicate a 3D CAD model to within .0005" accuracy. [/QUOTE]
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