Researchers make a 3D-printed jet engine

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I have concerns how this will impact machinist.
 
Will it be cheaper to have something "printed up" than to have a machinist refurbish parts?
 
What about waste.... can old engine parts be "re powdered" for the printing process?
 
 
Does a metal part fabricated in this matter have the same strength as something that was machined from a solid piece?
 
The parts that were machined are made from raw material that was melted into a liquid all at the same time then cooled at the same time to form one piece, then machined into a desired shape.
 
The "printed" version applies and bonds layer by layer. The surfaces would have an obvious temperature differential. Are the bonds as strong?
 
 
I am no metallurgist or machinist but if anyone on this forum is I would like to see your comments.
 
 
What are the energy requirements to produce an object like this compared to traditional machining? I don't actually expect an answer, just something to ponder. 
 
Like the way you received 2 negatives for something that, in no way, offended someone or was even something that someone could disagree with!
 
Maybe metallurgy vs. composites is a hot button issue for some?

Either way, he's in the green now...

All good questions, and all ones that will need to be exhaustively looked into before any 3D printed motor comes near the wing of a live flight...
 
 Glenn Beck had a guy on just about two years ago regarding 3D printing. The guy was making a firearm, Beck did  note there were several other high end printers coming about.
 
These things will revolutionize machining no doubt. From what he said, you can make just about anything including foods.
 
Its a step up or evolution from totally programable lathes and such cad/cam manufacturing.
 
I could see one in the UAir machine shop spitting out Fokker 100 parts which we had to almost exclusively manufature at the time.
 
Worrying about machinist is like worrying about black smith's when cars came about.
 
Ms Tree said:
Worrying about machinist is like worrying about black smith's when cars came about.
 
 
How those blacksmiths fairing these days since the horseless carriage took over?
 
 
The 3D-printed jet engines demonstrate that engineers can produce jet engine test parts in days instead of the months it would typically take through machine lathing and poured-mold parts processes.
 
Building test parts is just one step further to building workable parts.
I doubt that you could assemble this and make a real engine out of it.
 
But then again.... :p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJyf1IrHtcE
 
You just need a $250,000 printer... ;-)
$500,000 .... OOPs... :p
 
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southwind said:
Like the way you received 2 negatives for something that, in no way, offended someone or was even something that someone could disagree with!
You noticed that huh?
 
Yeah I have a couple of people on this forum that like to negative everything I say no matter what. I am sure you have a pretty good idea who they are.
 
Pathetic isn't it?
 
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/3d-printed-houses_n_5773408.html
 
I don't know if I put much stock into this article but the implications of this are pretty staggering.
 
If there is any truth to the article 3D printing would not just affect machinist but manufacturing (printed cars and electronics maybe?) and construction. 
 
Cheap printable houses and no one with a job to pay for them...................
 
xUT said:
Building test parts is just one step further to building workable parts.
I doubt that you could assemble this and make a real engine out of it.
 
But then again.... :p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJyf1IrHtcE
 
You just need a $250,000 printer... ;-)
$500,000 .... OOPs... :p
 
I don't see a problem except for forged items. 3D parts could be heat treated for metallurgy......forget about forging.
 
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I wonder if we will see a shift from metals and plastics to carbon nano tube manufacturing using 3D printers.
 

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