Heck, that contour crafting stuff is something!Marino4x4 wrote:Hi Clem
Way of topic, but:
Printing something as big as a petrol tank will cost a pretty penny. You would be able to by a Y60 patrol with the money. The technology is at this stage for part about 700x380x380 mm. That is the biggest machine I am aware of that can build Nylon. The other big machines build ABS parts. If I am correct petrol dissolves ABS. On the other scale you get machines that can build a house for you out of cement. http://www.contourcrafting.org/
The technology is developing rapidly, but size will always be a problem. I work at a company in the Central University of Technology that does 3D printing/Laser sintering. http://www.cut.ac.za/faculty_pages/crpm/
If any of the forum members are interested in visiting us let me know and I can arrange a tour. We have machines that can grow: Plastic (Nylon, ABS), Sand, rubber, polystyrene, steel and Titanium.
I wonder what a proper laser sintering machine costs nowadays and what the highest grade and strength is that you can make with it. Must be a fascinating area to work in.