This is a really cool machine!!


6s219

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Nov 30, 2010
155
Covina, CA
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,862
Largo, Florida
 

dbackg

dbackg
Mark II Lifetime
Jan 28, 2009
691
Tempe, AZ
That is really cool.

Thanks for sharing!
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
I thought Ford used the same technology to prototype the Romeo engine parts (like heads, blocks and intakes) way back in the early 90's?
 

Apollo

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Aug 5, 2006
2,512
Pahrump, NV
These type of machines have actually been around for a long time and have come a long long way in the last ten years. We use many different types of them for patterns at our foundry. This one is actually pretty crude and the parts are rough compared to many of the other offerings out there but their machine is more affordable than many of high technology machines.
 
H

HHGT

Guest
Chuck Hill introduced Stereolithography back in 1986

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography
 

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
During the Newport Rally Stillens demo a similar prototyping machine. Their scanner was not as state of the art and I am not sure if the printer could make multi-piece parts.
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
These units really impress the stuffings out of me. The one in Leno's garage was the first one I'd ever seen or heard of.

Do you think one of these might have gotten you burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft back in the day? :biggrin
 

FENZO

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 7, 2008
1,518
Lafayette, CO
Had a chance to work with the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory folks that work within the Prototype Itegration Facility (DoD Army) at Redstone Arsenal about 5 yrs ago. They utilize prototyping machines that are simply ridiculous, plus they have a whole building full of C&C machines and manufacturing equipment and staff to back it up.

I didn't have the GT then, but all I could think about was how sweet it would be to be allowed access to that type of equipment to produce car stuff. If you can dream it and draw it, they can make it in a week regardless of the complexity, electronics and big stuff too. Of course, you would need the financial backing of a country (say, the US) to be able to afford it.

http://www.redstone.army.mil/amrdec/pif/index.html
 
H

HHGT

Guest
Had a chance to work with the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory folks that work within the Prototype Itegration Facility (DoD Army) at Redstone Arsenal about 5 yrs ago. They utilize prototyping machines that are simply ridiculous, plus they have a whole building full of C&C machines and manufacturing equipment and staff to back it up.

I didn't have the GT then, but all I could think about was how sweet it would be to be allowed access to that type of equipment to produce car stuff. If you can dream it and draw it, they can make it in a week regardless of the complexity, electronics and big stuff too. Of course, you would need the financial backing of a country (say, the US) to be able to afford it.

http://www.redstone.army.mil/amrdec/pif/index.html

What a small world. I worked on the ATEC/DTC program at Redstone ATTC/RTTC and with PEO/STRI. Know many of those guys.
 

TO AWSUM

Ford GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 4, 2007
1,512
Niceville FL
What a small world. I worked on the ATEC/DTC program at Redstone ATTC/RTTC and with PEO/STRI. Know many of those guys.

That is a small world. I work with them now. Do you know Vern Daley, Mark Casey, Rob Ritchie?
 
H

HHGT

Guest
That is a small world. I work with them now. Do you know Vern Daley, Mark Casey, Rob Ritchie?

Mark Casey yes. I've heard of Vern. How about Mark Music.
 

TO AWSUM

Ford GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 4, 2007
1,512
Niceville FL
Mark Casey yes. I've heard of Vern. How about Mark Music.

Mark Music sounds familiar, but I don't remember working with him. ATTC changed their name to AFTD now and everyone moved from Rucker to Huntsville in the last year. Vern retired last week.

Jer
 

MTV8

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 24, 2010
1,021
Houston Texas
Should print out a few clamshell vents in assorted colors.
 

jbyrnes

FORD GT OWNER
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 13, 2006
224
Louisville CO
Should print out a few clamshell vents in assorted colors.

There are several rapid prototyping technologies out there now - including direct-to-metal (stainless and titanium) from CAD, but they're still pretty expensive compared to a mass produced part. I have access to an "FDM" prototype machine that makes parts in engineering grade plastics like ABS, polycarb, even high temp ultem. A part like the clamshell vent would cost about $300-$400 each I'm guessing, which is reasonable compared to machined AL but of course not as strong. The surface finish isn't production-smooth either so there'd be some costs for a fill primer, sanding, and painting.