| From: | Gurth gurth@******.nl |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Laser-molding |
| Date: | Fri, 3 Sep 1999 10:16:37 +0200 |
the street was...
> 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
Never seen that show, but I read an article about this technique several
years ago.
I also read Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling (which I wouldn't recommend, BTW)
not long ago, and there's a bunch of artists in it who use this to make
their art -- mannequins based on the main character of the book, for
example.
> 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.
Sure. It's not all that complicated, all you need to have is a laser that
you can point where you want by computer, and a resin that hardens when
the laser hits it.
> 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.
>
> 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....
You'd have to keep limitations of the material in mind, though. Since this
uses a resin, it'll probably be unsuitable for objects that need high-
strength materials. Furthermore, if the item is made too thin it will be
rather fragile, shattering easily.
The main use of this technique, I think, would be in R&D rather than
actual manufacturing -- instead of having to wait a long time for a part
of a device being built, you can make it in a few hours and see how it
fits together with the other components of whatever it is you're
designing. It likely won't be functional (unless it's a mechanical
device), but it will show you how everything scales out and fits together.
--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
De plaag is terug...!
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