The Shape(ways) of things to come

[Hauk]

Shapeways 3D printing service still leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to part finish, but I find it interesting that they offer parts in metal.

Check out this thread:
http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&goto=8779&S=9b818ed5fcf55bfa94a5af0cec29c91c

If you scroll down you will see a printed driver for a steam engine. Yes, it is rough, but with some light machining on the threads and the center, this is very close to a good representation of a wheel with a sand casting center.

And by the time I have sortet out all the quirks in my .stl models, the technology has probably matured enough...

Regards, Håvard

[finescalerr]

I had no idea they were using metals in rapid prototyping. Thanks, Håvard. -- Russ