THE FUTURE COULD BE HERE SOON

[NORCALLOGGER]

Hi all,
Don't know much about it but this announcement seemed like it
could have impact on our hobbies
Check here
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110517005670/en/Alibre-3D-Systems-Deliver-Global---Complete

Maybe you are already aware of this but I wasn't
Rick

[eTraxx]

Sweet. Prices like that are well withing the introduction phase of things like VCRs and DVD recorders. I bought a Sony 4-head VCR for $350 in 1988. Now they were what at the last .. $20? The first DVD recorders I *think* were around $1000 ..

[finescalerr]

It's a start. Let's see how good the resolution is. If the $5,000 machine does the job, it should drop in price to a more reasonable level in four or five years (after I've retired and have time to learn the software).

Unfortunately I'll miss the product launch; I plan to walk about a mile and a half to the finish line of the final stage of the Tour of California bicycle race on Sunday to admire a different kind of technology.

Russ

[W.P. Rayner]

Sounds an excellent way to spend a Sunday Russ, though you should ride your classic Colnago over so all those young whippersnappers can learn to appreciate some of the history behind their machines....   I haven't been following the Tour this year so must assume they're wrapping it up close to Chez Reinberg...

Russ

[Hauk]

It is a mystery to me that people are so thrilled about the prospect of *owning* a 3D printer.

Have anyone done the math on how much printing you have to do to make this an economical option?

And lets face it, the resolution of the printers aimed at the private market just isnt good enough.

Just as well find a service provider if you are not planning to become one yourself...

-Hauk

[eTraxx]

For me it's the technology. When I was in Saudi Arabia after Desert Storm I ordered my first laser printer through AAFES. It was a Okidata OL400. Think I paid $695 then. According to an Inflation Calculator that's equal to $1,208.00 in 2011. My first computer was a TRS-80 Model I. Come to think of it .. I paid about $600 in 1979 for that computer! Woah. That Inflation Calculator tells me that's equal to around $1,942.50 today.  Anyhoo .. at least my point in talking about the 3D printers was that 'stuff' ... laser printers, computers, VCRs' (ha) were less capable and cost more comparatively. Speaking of VCR's .. paid $350 for a Sony 4-head VCR in 1987. The Inflation Calculator tells me that would be equal to $694.00 today. I think the last ones I saw were going for around $29.95 (and MUCH cheaper made then that Sony).

[jacq01]

    I second Havard.
    And what about the material needed to make the parts from. How much is "netto" going into the part versus the total needed ?
    The way Chuck is using it makes sense to me, preparing the 3D drawing and sending it to specialised firms.

    Jacq