The technology that enables a computer to print off a full-working bicycle.

[Ponce]

Someday you will be able to disign your own dream car hand them make it for you in a hours, see pictures of bike at link.
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The technology that enables a computer to print off a full-working bicycle.

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 9:38 AM on 21st March 2011

This bicycle is the first in the world to be created simply by printing it out on a computer, using groundbreaking new technology.
The fully-working cycle, which is made of nylon, is the result of an extraordinary project and is as strong as steel and aluminium but weighs 65 per cent less.
Scientists in Bristol designed the bike on a computer and sent it to a printer, which placed layers of melted nylon powder on top of each other to build-up the machine.
Let's ride: The fully-working cycle, which is made of nylon, is the result of an extraordinary project and is as strong as steel and aluminium but weighs 65 per cent less

On the move: Scientists designed the bike on a computer and sent it to a printer, which placed layers of melted nylon powder on top of each other to build-up the machine
Individual components such as gears, pedals and wheels are usually made in different factories and assembled into a finished bike but the Airbike is a single, complete part.
The wheels, bearings and axle are incorporated into the 'growing' process, known as Additive Layer Manufacturing.
The Airbike can be built to the rider's own specification so requires no adjustment. It also requires no conventional maintenance or assembly.
It is made by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space group in Filton, near Bristol, The 3D printing method allows products to be made from a fine powder of nylon, carbon-reinforced plastics or metals such as titanium, stainless steel or aluminium.
They are drawn using computer-aided design and then sent to a printer, which is filled with the powdered material.
A computer splits the 3D design into many 2D layers and a laser beam is used to melt the powder material into the first of the layers.
This is then covered by a new layer of powder and the process is repeated with the next 'slice'.
The manufacturing process uses about one-tenth of the material required in traditional methods, reducing waste.
The technology is likely to be used in industrial applications such as aerospace, the motor industry and engineering.
Lead engineer Andy Hawkins said: 'The possibilities with ALM are huge - it's a game-changing technology.
'The beauty is that complex designs do not cost any extra to produce. The laser can draw any shape you like.
'Many unique design features have been incorporated into the Airbike, such as saddle cushioning or the integrated bearings encased within the hubs.'
Robin Southwell, chief executive of EADS UK, said: 'The Airbike is a fantastic example of British innovation at its very best.
'The team at EADS in Bristol includes world-class engineers who continue to push boundaries by working at the forefront of technology.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1368113/Go-print-bike-The-technology-enables-run-working-cycle.html#ixzz1HFCKKJkv

[sirgonzo420]

Wonder how much the "ink" costs!

:D

Regular printer ink runs about $8000 per gallon if you do the math....

[tekrunner]

Anyone else own a Makerbot 3d printer? I use mine to make stuff I sell online.

www.makerbot.com


http://www.sustainablecitiesnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3D-Printer_Makerbot_ATT.jpg

[tekrunner]

Wonder how much the "ink" costs!

:D

Regular printer ink runs about $8000 per gallon if you do the math....



http://store.makerbot.com/plastic.html
http://buy3dink.com/


There you will find that a 5lb spool of plastic runs about $40 - $75.

One spool is enough for me to print several thousand dollars worth of inventory for my online business.

[Horn]

One spool is enough for me to print several thousand dollars worth of inventory for my online business.


Since this chance meeting seems fortuitous, perhaps you could provide us a link?

[Ponce]

Thanks Teck........as I see it.........machine a part that you want to make, at this time you are limited to a 4X4X6........that's ok......placed the finished part where a "3D Lazer Reader" will scan it and then it will give the intructions to the "duplicator", without you having to know the program to do it with........you could even buy a finished product from a store and then let the lazer reader send the intructions to the "duplicator".

The "3D Lazer Reader" will take a reading of the item in 3D ......... very easy to do.....even I, with no knowledge of this, know this................as a matter of fact the "3D Lazer Reader" could be made as an integral part of "The Duplicator" itself..........place the part in the duplicator, it takes a reading, take the part out and let the machine go to work.

Hey Guys........more than posting to you I am thinking to myself.....sorry about this.

[tekrunner]

Thanks Teck........as I see it.........machine a part that you want to make, at this time you are limited to a 4X4X6........that's ok......placed the finished part where a "3D Lazer Reader" will scan it and then it will give the intructions to the "duplicator", without you having to know the program to do it with........you could even buy a finished product from a store and then let the lazer reader send the intructions to the "duplicator".

The "3D Lazer Reader" will take a reading of the item in 3D ......... very easy to do.....even I, with no knowledge of this, know this................as a matter of fact the "3D Lazer Reader" could be made as an integral part of "The Duplicator" itself..........place the part in the duplicator, it takes a reading, take the part out and let the machine go to work.

Hey Guys........more than posting to you I am thinking to myself.....sorry about this.



Thanks Ponce for getting this thread started. I've been meaning to start a new thread specifically on this technology.


http://wiki.makerbot.com/3d-scanner

There for about $30 in parts, a webcam and projector you can make a 3d scanner. Want a copy of something? Scan and print.Just imagine if instead of feeding the beast every time we transact with reserve notes we could just print off whatever we wanted?

3d printing with metal is available as well and the prices should become affordable in the years to come. I'm most excited about the concept of printing with semiconductors. Need a new LED light bulb for your lamp? Print it. Need transistors, solar cells, or any other semiconductor? Print it.

[tekrunner]

One spool is enough for me to print several thousand dollars worth of inventory for my online business.


Since this chance meeting seems fortuitous, perhaps you could provide us a link?




http://cgi.ebay.com/REPRAP-MENDEL-CAST-3D-PRINTER-PARTS-READY-USE-/220749045854?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3365ab205e

Horn, the widget I sell is simple and I'd prefer to not give away the farm so to speak. However, there is an auction for 3d printer parts, made with a 3d printer. Just wanted to give you an example of one of the ways people make money with their 3d printers.

[Awoke]

tagging

[Ponce]

Hey Tek? I am VERY interested in this.......with those parts from ebay? do I make my own manchine or can I buy the machine allready made?..........I really don't care about "your business" because mine will be a military style item for civilians.........feel free to pm me, if you feel safer about this.....I really would like to learn more about this.

[tekrunner]

http://www.thingiverse.com/

I just wanted to add that last link. It's a website where people post the files for things they designed. Just think of the potential. A GIM designed machine gun that anyone could download the file of and print off in their living room. Plus it'd be exempt from that 1899 firearms act thing...out of shells? Better print off another couple thousand.

Also, the 3d printing technology like the makerbot or mendel is all open source. There is ZERO proprietary information involved as it is all designed by online communities. Imagine paying nothing but cost for technological gadgets because it was all developed by your fellow man for mutual benefit.

[tekrunner]

Hey Tek? I am VERY interested in this.......with those parts from ebay? do I make my own manchine or can I buy the machine allready made?..........I really don't care about "your business" because mine will be a military style item for civilians.........feel free to pm me, if you feel safer about this.....I really would like to learn more about this.



As recently as just a couple years ago your only option for buying a 3d printer was to pay $20,000+ for one premade. Now what's happening in this new industrial "revolution" is people are coming together in online communities and developing all sorts of technologies with open source licenses. You can buy the parts separately or you can purchase them in kits which you build yourself. The cost for one of these DIY printers is now about $850 - $1300.

The great part about building it yourself is you understand how it works inside and out. Then with that knowledge you might find a way to improve it which you share with the community. Suddenly everyone is rapidly acquiring evolving technology for the price of a spool of plastic or bucket of powdered steel.

It really changes the way you think about things. Instead of looking at something and thinking "how can I afford this?" you think "how can I make this myself for my own use or for sale/barter?"

[tekrunner]

Someday you will be able to disign your own dream car hand them make it for you in a hours, see pictures of bike at link.




You're going to love this article. "In the Next Industrial Revolution, Atoms Are the New Bits" http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/ff_newrevolution/

[Awoke]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/20/article-0-0B418DED00000578-183_634x507.jpg


Individual components such as gears, pedals and wheels are usually made in different factories and assembled into a finished bike but the Airbike is a single, complete part.
The wheels, bearings and axle are incorporated into the 'growing' process, known as Additive Layer Manufacturing.


So say goodbye to performing maintenance. You can never get the tire off, etc.

[sirgonzo420]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/20/article-0-0B418DED00000578-183_634x507.jpg


Individual components such as gears, pedals and wheels are usually made in different factories and assembled into a finished bike but the Airbike is a single, complete part.
The wheels, bearings and axle are incorporated into the 'growing' process, known as Additive Layer Manufacturing.


So say goodbye to performing maintenance. You can never get the tire off, etc.





So what?

Just print up a new one!

lol

[Ponce]

Sirgon? just grind the old bike into a fine powder and feed it to the machine to make it into a new one.

[Serpo]

Just make sure you press 1 on the printer and not 10...... :D

[tekrunner]

Sirgon? just grind the old bike into a fine powder and feed it to the machine to make it into a new one.




Alot of the "plastic" PLA for example is corn based, so maybe throw it into the compost heap? And yes Ponce, there are online communities as we speak working on open source tech so you can recycle your plastic to be reused.

[Ponce]

Well Tek, as you know Japan has now a machine that makes gasoline out of old plastic, I came up with the following at the old GIM ...."The garbage dumps of today will be the gold mines of tomorrow"... Ponce

Did you kow that it takes one cup of oil to make make grocery plastic bag?........if I was "rich" I would buy the land over a garbage dump for my children and his childrens........but of course I have no kids so that all that I can do is to buy my "Silver Island" ;D......lucky me.

[Shami-Amourae]

BUMP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUB1WgiAFHg

I'm seriously curious about this stuff since I work in Blender almost daily.





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmxjLpu2BvY