Link: http://www.shapeways.com/materials/
And main-page pics: http://www.shapeways.com/gallery
I've often thought it'd be nice to use a 3d printer to make doodads, like snap-on plastic cable routers and such. You can get a small, plastic 3d printer for $500 bucks (solidoodle) but a precise stainless steel printer is expensive if you need really strong materials.
It's very cheap, but this site does 3d printing to order... if any of you have unborn ideas worth sharing, I think it'd be cool to consider. Your ideas could be shared and any of us could buy or modify them. You can print glass, ceramics, various plastics, sandstone, and stainless steel. I think a lot of you have the space, tools, and know-how to fab good hardware, but right now I'm too far from my friends who have the space and tools, so this is a good option.
I'm not affiliated of course, I just think it'd be fun to try out if someone has an idea that's not already supplied by a vendor.
Eventually, I hope this technology is gets cheap enough to become commonplace. I just read about a guy that printed an AR-15 receiver on one and put a few hundred rounds through it! =O How cool would it be to see a useful bike part online and just print it out, no shipping or waiting? =D Something like a hub adapter or sprocket is probably a bad idea, but something like a clutch roller or cable routing clip is definitely feasible.
Cheers!
And main-page pics: http://www.shapeways.com/gallery
I've often thought it'd be nice to use a 3d printer to make doodads, like snap-on plastic cable routers and such. You can get a small, plastic 3d printer for $500 bucks (solidoodle) but a precise stainless steel printer is expensive if you need really strong materials.
It's very cheap, but this site does 3d printing to order... if any of you have unborn ideas worth sharing, I think it'd be cool to consider. Your ideas could be shared and any of us could buy or modify them. You can print glass, ceramics, various plastics, sandstone, and stainless steel. I think a lot of you have the space, tools, and know-how to fab good hardware, but right now I'm too far from my friends who have the space and tools, so this is a good option.
I'm not affiliated of course, I just think it'd be fun to try out if someone has an idea that's not already supplied by a vendor.
Eventually, I hope this technology is gets cheap enough to become commonplace. I just read about a guy that printed an AR-15 receiver on one and put a few hundred rounds through it! =O How cool would it be to see a useful bike part online and just print it out, no shipping or waiting? =D Something like a hub adapter or sprocket is probably a bad idea, but something like a clutch roller or cable routing clip is definitely feasible.
Cheers!
