3D Printed Monster Spitfire

[HyFlyer]

So, for those interested in RC model planes, (I remember going to a store named POLKS in new york and staring at the really big, impossibly expensive ones in awe) it seems like a new era is possibly being born with the advent of cheap and fast(er) 3d printers.

A whole sub-industry in selling the plans for planes is being born, and the first experiments are filling the air.

A thought occurs to me: Even as internet stores are replacing big-box retail, and as big-box replaced mom-and-pop.... Might there come a time when most people simply buy plans and make things at home on their printers......?

I wonder if the world is about to change..... Again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvs3yvEcARA

(And I STILL can't get my videos to show.....)

[n4gix]

I wonder if the world is about to change..... Again.



(And I STILL can't get my videos to show.....)

You didn't click on the "film icon" and then paste the link...

[TuFun]

Not only that, but in the plastic model fields too!


"This kit will allow conversion of a 1/32 Hasegawa Messerschmitt Bf 109 G kit into an accurate Buchon. Both "Battle of Britain" movie star and Spanish Air Force variants are planned, as well as other models and other scales in the long run. 3D photo scanning, measurements of actual aircraft and Me 109 engineering plans are used to ensure absolute accuracy and to capture the Buchon's iconic grin."

[wombat666]

I'll keep on with my scratch building 'traditional' techniques for most, but we have experimented with 3D printing for multiple components.
The very first time I attended a demonstration of 3D printing was in 2005 at General Motors Holden and the immediate impression we had was "How good would this be for Southern Cross Miniatures prototyping?"
Today I use the system when I need (for instance) half a dozen Weber 45 DCO3 Carburettors in 1:12th scale, build the master from scratch, scan and 'print the required number.
QED.
As for the current generation of 'Plastic Modellers' .............................. 'Kit Assemblers' at best.