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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Sebastian Wiers m0ng005e@*********.com
Subject: 3d prototyping / small manufacture
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 03:23:33 -0700
> > Anyway, there was something *really* cool in it that I have to admit I
was
> > shocked to see. It had a setup that could build models out of
> > epoxy-polymer/resin using a laser. The laser would trace the outline
in the
> > resin, and whereever the resin traced would solidy. The layer was
lowered
> > down, and the laser system continued on its' merry work. In about 2-3
hours
> > I think it said they had a too-specification model of the space shuttle
> > (exterior) ready for usage in other places (like wind tunnels or
advanced
> > rendering concepts). It was cool as I could imagine and wondered if
this
> > kind material and setup could be done as a "shop" in SR.

It could. This is called "Stereo Litography" and has been aroung for a
long tim as a protyping technique. There are many varietions- some use
ink-jet like nozels or spools of plastic or wire to lay down a form, some
sinter metal powder instead of catalyzing plastic polymerization, and one
even lays down a layer of ashesive paper and trims the wast with a lazer.
How old is this? Well, supposedly AT&T engeneers developed the RJ32 phone
jack after testing a few stereo-litho models...


> > I was imagining using this as the setup for doing simpler, more impact
> > related, armors, possible bod 0/1 drone chassis, or even just
cases/"extras"
> > that a runner would need.

Stereo litho is used for prototyping today, but it could be used that way.
I thinks a few componants (racing car maifolds and such) are sometimes
made this way, or by taking casts from stero litho models.
It probably would not impact SR stats much- the big limit is you are stuck
with one (or a narrow range) of materials (genrally soft materils at that),
not enough for full maufacturing.


> > Hell, with something like they were showing I was imagining someone
coming up
> > with a custom-designed gun that would be fully functional (if just
light
> > powered) and being "built" inside the casing to something else. Made
to form
> > gear....

Custom grips would be more likely than a custom gun mechanism, due to
material strenght. Mechanisms are better made with a CNC mill- almost as
versatile in shaping, and much more so in materials, especially metals.
And who is to say custom grips and fited armors are NOT produced this way,
and that is accounted for in thier availibilty and such?
The big area this helps in is the design of plastic gadgets- you can make
a complicated plastic mechanism, even one that is impossible to cast (like
a ball in a cage), without having to hire a mold maker. On the other hand,
how many runners care about desinging plastic windup toys, clocks, or what
have you?

Mongoose

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