[Mgs] unusual machine

[Max Heim]

Yeah, it can. I'm sure there is a limit to the complexity attainable, but
that is what it does.

I'm not sure precisely how this brand operates, but one way it works is by
starting with a vat of heat-hardening transparent plastic. Then three
lasers, one each in the x,y and z axes, focus on a single spot, which heats
it enough to harden instantly. Controlled by computer, the lasers scan the
three-dimensional volume of the liquid, hardening only those areas occupied
by a solid in the "model". These solid parts do not have to be contiguous.

When done, the excess liquid is washed away, revealing the assembled object.

It may be done with a powder instead of a liquid, or a "soft" solid.

--

Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the primer red one with chrome wires


on 3/22/09 3:38 AM, Paul Hunt at paul.hunt1 at blueyonder.co.uk wrote:

> Well that's the other half of the problem.  Doesn't matter how the data was
> created, are you saying the prototyper is capable of producing entire
> assemblies including ready assembled bearings and meshed gears???
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   Two, the prototyper pops out an multi-part assembly, but this was NOT
>   scanned -- it was entered as CAD data.