A conductive thermoplastic can be used with low-cost, hobbyist 3D printers to produce complete, customized electronic devices, such as this computer game controller.
(Source: University of Warwick)
Cadman-LT, I agree. Although the tool makes it easy to manufacture cool products, the fundamentals, like math, is necessary to ensure the automation will work correctly. The tech being developed today is an extension of the human brain and its thought processes. I'm a firm believer in continual use of mental analytics and re-assure understanding by way of software analysis tech tools.
Cadman, the "Reply" button means "reply to this poster". So adding a function won't change anything. I agree it would be nice if the poster's name you're replying to automatically shows up in your reply post. I think adding it manually just takes a little getting used to.
mrdon, I think what my fear is that it might get so easy to do that kids might think they don't need the math to do it. Why learn that when the pc does it for me......I can still do math even though we had calculators. Remains to be seen I suppose.
mrdon, on the other hand....after I thought about it....it would be beneficial to come into the field with experience with any 3D printing and modeling.
mrdon, here is another thought on the subject. I really don't like this one either. It used to be, to do 3D modeling and such you had to study and learn it....and it wasn't exactly easy. I see with all of this 3D printing..they are making it so easy that anyone can do it. There are still needs for 3D modeling outside of this area, I just hope people remember that. It's an iffy thing with me.
mrdon, I don't know...it's getting pretty crazy what they can do. I just saw a show where they 3D printed a house!! I think it was the walls, but it was amazing. This has come so far in say the last 3 years or so, I can't imagine 10 years from now.
Ann...I know. Sorry, it was kind of a rant...lol It would make it better though. I doubt it would take that much code either..:) It isn't the fact of writing a name, it is just that it would be tagged. Anyway...:)
Thanks, Cadman, but I'm not in charge of the software for these boards. I suspect that would take a fair amount of recoding. Anyway, I don't mind writing someone's name at the beginning of my reply.
For 3D printing to make the jump from rapid prototyping to manufacturing, engineers will need to find easier ways to move products from their CAD screens to their printers.
Gigabit and PoE are two networking technologies moving ahead in tandem as industrial users power remote Ethernet devices such as IP security cameras at 1,000 Mbps over existing CAT5 cable.
New versions of BASF's Ecovio line are both compostable and designed for either injection molding or thermoforming. These combinations are becoming more common for the single-use bioplastics used in food service and food packaging applications, but are still not widely available.
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