[R-390] New 3D scanner - printer recreates obsolete parts

[Barry]

> Hi all,
> Saw this article on an interesting 3D  scanner that recreates obsolete
> parts.
> Jay Leno is using one to make copies  of impossible-to-find car parts.
> The machine scans the part, then will make  an exact copy in plastic
> that can be cast in metal or the scans can be CNC  machined. It can make 
> an
> actual
> working copy of an adjustable crescent  wrench in one piece, with the
> moving
> threaded wheel on the inside.
>
> A  machine like this could possibly be used to make an exact copy of an
> R-389  PTO or the workings of one from a disassembled unit that could be
> reassembled into a working unit. Not sure how one could reproduce the
> ferrite or iron powder tuning core slug but one could conceivably 
> reproduce
> any
> or all of the working mechanical parts of an R-389 PTO using this 
> machine.
>
> http://tiny.cc/ehgZI
>
> Your imagination (and wallet) could  be the limit in what kind of obsolete
> mechanical radio
> parts could be made  with a machine like this. Knobs, brackets, tuning
> mechanisms?
>
> 73 Todd  WD4NGG

When I worked with CAD/CAM/CIM, we could take our 3-D designs, run them 
through a few post-processing steps, and feed the output to a machine that 
used lasers to solidify the special liquid that was held in a chamber. 
Anywhere the two lasers crossed created a hot-spot that caused the liquid to 
solidify.  It was slow (that was nearly 20 years ago), but you could create 
prototype parts that were very difficult to machine.  They weren't pracitcal 
for production, but very cool for prototyping.

Barry - N4BUQ