The future of bike manufacturing?

[incorrigible]

The downloadable, printable e-stay bike:
http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/news/pr ... rbike.html

Amazing! I wonder if in the not-too-distant future there will be a file-sharing website where we can upload 3-D scans of our bikes, and download others to print on our 3-D printers? When we get tired of one particular bike, we can recycle the material to print a new one. It may be the only way I'll ever get an Alien ACX that isn't already broken. :x :cry:

 

[N/B]

I already do the same with my CNC Milling Machine. Doesn't every household have one?
UPS get a bit fed up of delivering 5x3x3 foot aluminium billets to my house though.

 

[T'boo Ted]

I want that titanium printing machine thingy

 

[incorrigible]

I already do the same with my CNC Milling Machine. Doesn't every household have one?
UPS get a bit fed up of delivering 5x3x3 foot aluminium billets to my house though.

I'm jealous! What I wouldn't give for a 3D laser scanner, Alias software, and a 5-axis milling machine! One can only hope that the price on all 3 technologies will continue to drop to the point where every household WILL have that capability, hopefully sooner rather than later. This stuff truly intrigues me.

NextEngine has a 3D laser scanner for just under $3k, but I think the software is another $6k. Micromill has a 3 axis CNC machine for about $2k IIRC, but it can only mill something about as big as a shoebox. The cheapest Alias software is about $25k, but Rhino 3D is much cheaper, although as I understand, it's much less capable than Alias.

Imagine starting with a profile sketch or small model, scanning it into Alias where you can refine the design in 3D and ensure symmetry, and then scaling it up to mill on a large CNC machine. Whoa, I think I just wet myself.

So what can you mill with a 5x3x3 block of aluminum? Do you cut chunks off of it as needed to mill smaller objects? Can I hang out at your house and sweep up aluminum shavings for you just for the privilege of acquiring some first-hand knowledge of the technology?

 

[stuey]

this bit is a game changer...

"Auxetics: Auxetic shapes or materials appear to defy the laws of physics. If you squeeze, the entire structure compresses (instead of getting thicker), if you pull the entire structure gets bigger (as opposed to getting thinner). These structures have mechanical properties such as high energy absorption and fracture resistance and can be used in applications as far-ranging as building structures or body armour."

Suspension /damping /dynamics built into the whole structure?

 

[secret_squirrel]

There already are several 3-d model sharing sites. Think there is also a section on pirate bay already :twisted:

 

[secret_squirrel]

I wonder if in the not-too-distant future there will be a file-sharing website where we can upload 3-D scans of our bikes, and download others to print on our 3-D printers?

There already are several 3-d model sharing sites. Think there is also a section on pirate bay already :twisted:

 

[Russell]

This 3D printed titanium stem is incredible.

We really should be very excited about this stuff.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Suspension /damping /dynamics built into the whole structure?

Wow! A little bit, like, um, steel?



While the whole technology is very cool, and the ability to render 3D models of designs and parts into actual physical items is something from science fiction, I reckon this will go the way of home printing for the majority.

Ultimately, it will be easier and more practical for most to fire their requirements over to somewhere like Kinkos (RIP).

I will be getting one once they are ridiculously 'cheap'.