by damikeguy » Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:27 pm
The technology is there. Do a 3-D scan, converted to a solid model and machine it from a solid. The cost would just be Way too much right now. In a couple more years it could be cost effective. You would just need an original to scan.The cost of the 3-D scanning just needs to come down. The spindle time for machine from solid is coming down every year with the new equipment and software out there. The 3D printing of metal is being done now and it's really not that expensive. The first parts I saw came in from Israel. Now there are Many 3D metal printers in the states. You can literally have a ship in a bottle made out of steel on a 3-D metal printer, And their damn accurate. The same with brackets and levers. Laser cut the template, put it on a CNC break and you're done. You can laser cut the slots and holes in the brackets before doing the CNC bending. The technology is that good.
Mike