Pretty interesting- like something out of sci-fi. But I think the seat maybe is upside down?
2011-03-08 02:39:18
17
Print-a-Bike
"The new manufacturing process is known as Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) and it allows single products to be grown from a fine powder of metal (such as titanium, stainless steel or aluminium), nylon or carbon reinforced plastics"
2011-03-08 02:23:09
What they write about the process seems way cool.
On the other hand, the bike itself appears to be a fixie, no brakes and a possibly unworkable steering alignment.
"Lets design things that LOOK really cool!"
2011-03-08 05:26:43
I'm eyeing the spokes, which look like they could act as propellors if introduced to water. I'm still looking for that ultimate offroad bike, that could be used to traverse our streets, trails, and rivers.
A coworker yesterday was telling me about rapid prototyping that can be used with metals (this is either the same or related, haven't seen his article). It's enough to make a jaded girl giddy about engineering again. The ability to make usable toys of size, quickly... sigh.
2011-03-09 15:06:49
I think the automotive industry has been doing 3-D rapid prototyping in metals for a few years now. There are also applications (w/ plastics) in dentistry! It's pretty cool stuff: I've seen a few printers demonstrated that use various additive and subtractive methods...an object is built up layer by layer and negative spaces are then cleared out (or positive space fused through lasers or heat).
edit: I've also seen some really interesting looking printing errors...and there are applications in bone & tissue engineering!
2011-03-09 15:14:43
Some other neat uses of 3D printing technology:
Shapeways lets you design and upload a 3D model, then makes it in your choice of various materials like stainless steel or plastic. They can make some items as big as 1 meter long, but warn they're not strong enough for anything but art projects.
Contour Crafting is working on building entire homes using a really big 3D printer.
Bespoke makes custom prosthetic limbs.
2011-03-09 15:54:03
Pseudacris - the bone & tissue rapid prototyping made me think about that scene in Fifth Element where Leeloo is reconstructed from the hand that survived the crash. That would be sweet.
2011-03-09 16:17:18
^ That's a film I've never seen. The technology makes me think of "Locus Solus," a hard-to-find (in English) novel by Raymond Roussel. Full of descriptions of far-out devices.
@Steven: those bespoke prostheses are beautiful
2011-03-10 00:05:03
Fifth Element has a Sci-Fi Princess Bride feel to me, though the story is different (girl rescues world rather than boy rescues girl). Very highly recommend it, it's really well done. Though Chris Tucker's character can be a bit squealy. Gary Oldman does evil very well. And Mila Jovovich is awesome... but I always love her. I've seen it so many times I've memorized it.
2011-03-10 21:05:57
Thread hi-jack alert...
Since you mentioned it ejwme, Avatar is the high-tech/sci-fi version of Pocahontas. Almost point-for-point.
2011-03-10 21:22:42
It's also Fern Gully, from what I hear. I haven't seen avatar though.
2011-03-10 22:51:43
MULTIPASS
2011-03-11 00:16:46
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
2011-03-11 00:27:23
I liked Fifth Element, didn't love it, but it's definitely worth seeing. The regeneration scene is pretty awesome.
2011-03-11 00:27:34
Meat-popsicle is better than "ugly bags of mostly water", though perhaps less accurate. Except for Mila.
2011-03-11 15:10:49
I am tempted to watch "Resident Evil" whenever I see an ad, even though it's not my normal movie fare.
How could you not?
2011-03-11 15:41:30
^^Weapons plus garter-belt? Badass!
2011-03-11 16:21:46