On Wed, 2012-07-25 at 01:15 -0600, a...@conceptmachinery.com wrote: > problem with reprap is that their main idea is to make cheap machine > -under $ 1000- but not real rapid prototype machine.
Although I don't have any inside information, I believe the reason DIY 3D printers have (or don't have) specific features is that most of the original patents remain in effect. These seem to be the fundamental patents: http://softsolder.com/2012/06/29/fundamental-3d-printing-patents/ The patent documents include links to more recent patents that refer back to them, so you can devote as much time as you wish to determining that the neat idea *you* just had has already been invented, patented, and reduced to practice. It worked that way for me, anyhow... [grin] Although converting a CNC mill to a 3D printer seems attractive, I think the second-order effects will make it impractical: speed, cleanliness, ambient environment, stuff like that. As one of my managers put it: "You must first decide whether you're designing a waffle iron or a toaster." Which is not to say that you can't do it for yourself. What you almost certainly *can't* do is invent a commercially viable 3D printer and sell it with impunity... -- Ed http://softsolder.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Live Security Virtual Conference Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
