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Gordon Booth · 05-01-2014, 19:20

I think at the moment they can only print an object in one material- all the same plastic or all the same metal. So you could print a case for an ipod, in plastic or metal, but not the inside parts which each may be a mixture of metals, plastics and silicon.
The bits made for the Tornado are probably plastic but some of the metal parts in an aircraft are very complicated and often made of materials very difficult to machine, such as titanium. 3D printing would save a fortune there.
But for simple parts which you want in large quantities it wouldn't be cost effective.

05-01-2014, 19:20	#8
Gordon Booth Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,402 Liked: 715 times Rep Power: 46614	Re: The Star Trek replicator I think at the moment they can only print an object in one material- all the same plastic or all the same metal. So you could print a case for an ipod, in plastic or metal, but not the inside parts which each may be a mixture of metals, plastics and silicon. The bits made for the Tornado are probably plastic but some of the metal parts in an aircraft are very complicated and often made of materials very difficult to machine, such as titanium. 3D printing would save a fortune there. But for simple parts which you want in large quantities it wouldn't be cost effective.