| From: | Wafflemeisters <evamarie@**********.NET> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Fun character concepts |
| Date: | Tue, 19 May 1998 05:26:09 -0500 |
> The Cybertechnology Tool Laser costs about 5k and is described as being
> used for small cuts and weldings, so how much for an equivelent hand-held
> version and how much for the good stuff?
First, given the size and likely power supply, we are talking REALLY
small cuts and welds. It would be best suited to electronics work, IMO,
and maybe light plastics or minimal aluminum cutting. Think along the
lines of a very nice Micro-torch. I'd say handheld would be x.75
cost-this holds for some other items, like crypto. (see S.S.C.)
"The good stuff" is not likely lazer based, unles a large, production
line machine. Lazers need very precise control, and are bulky and
"ineffecient", at least at coverting e-current into welded metal.
Portable gas systems ar cheap, common, light,and work well for what
they can do. The gas suplies the heat directly- no other systemis
likely to be more effecitn. mass-wise. $300 seems about right for a
small rig. They have very limited working time, especially when working
with thick metals. Bigger tanks are a bit more, but quickly leave the
"man portable" range. TROLL portable, maybe...
The "air tank" from C-techno could also easily be modified for
Ox/acetyline, allowing a finger-tip welding/cutting torch (in, I'd hope,
a cyberhand). Again, worktime (and hence cut size) would be quite
limited.
Portable electical systems are "poratable" in the sense that a genrator
is portable. They basically ARE genrators, with current control and
maybe inert gas suplies if MIG or TIG.
I could see a current transformer and built into a cyberarm in such a
way that you could pull out a cord, plug in to a power, grab an
elctrode, and start welding. The metal to be welded would need a
ground- another cyberhand, with internal wiring leading to the system,
would work. These systems don't genrally CUT well, but a "gas plasma"
cutter shares similar components, and should be similarly shrinkable
with high-tech. I'd put the cost around that of the magnetic hands, or
maybe a shockhand, seprate for welding and cutting. You'd also need an
air tank for the inert gas, unless you wanted to use coated elctrode
"arc" welding. Could go in a limb, at no essence, as you won't ever
breath the gas. This would NOT be a heavy duty system, but would be keen
for vehicle repair, damage control, etc.
A BIG battery pack might give you limited "free range" time. Maybe a
minute or 5 for each MP laser sized battery, depending on load. A
vehicle power system could be taped into, decresing power availible for
flux and using up fuel or PF. The "flux booster" for cyberarm rig decks
could provide enough power to weld / cut material equal in barrier
rating to its flux level, I'd say, if you MUST have a built in TIG /
plasma cutter. (
Why you'd BOTHER making these things as 'wares, I dunno. Sabotage is
one possibility. It might be useful for underwater salvage / repair, as
well.
> NOTE: Cyberspace(TM) from ICE lists a laser cutter/welder as .5 kg and
> $150 and a heavy cutter/welder as 1 kg and $250 as a reference:
> Standard Tools $80
> Electronics Toolkit $150
> Mechanics Toolkit $100
HAH- as vehicles get more hi-tek, these are getting VERY expensive, and
bulky. Basic wrenches, maybe, but can't even do a tune-up with just
those.
> Generic Clothing $30
> Dress Clothing $200-$20,000
> Cell phone $50
> Arm $300
> Leg $250
> NOTE: Cyberspace(TM) uses US dollars for currency.
And obviously some VERY diffrent relative prices than SR.
-X mongoose
