Posted on 10/09/2012 1:24:00 PM PDT by null and void
Ping to a possibly interested set of characters...
The hopper for the raw material must be the size of several side-by-side boxcars.
/johnny
3-D Scintering Laser tech is what is needed after you start mining materials on the moon for creating a self sufficent moon base. With that you could make replacement parts at first and then start whole bases using this tech.
If you had a 3-D scintering laser titanium / aluminium printer on the moon you could BUILD spacecraft on the moon that could then be used to help colonize mars and the rest of the solar system.
All you need is a mining tech that can create the “feedstock” in the form of pure metallic dust. Which in a vaccum is a lot easier to make than in a atmosphere.
Next best thing to a star trek style replicator!
Can it print engines??
I’ll take titanium 1969 spec 426 Hemi, 427-L88, 350 LT-1, Ford 427 Side Oiler and a 289 Ford for starters.
Now see the many threads & hysterics about “3d printing a gun”.
What an outstandingly cool idea. Pal, you need to contact NASA. America had better do this before the communist Chinese do!
Ping to another possibly interested set of characters...
No more plastic guns that can blow up - before long, all one will need is powered steel or powdered titanium, and you’ll be able to print a real gun...so long to gun control (and don’t let the door hit you in the ass).
“The right to own weapons is the right to be free” - The Weapon Shops of Isher, A. E. Van Vogt
Sounds positively scintillating!
*Rimshot* ping!
Can be bought here: http://www.amazon.com/Weapon-Shops-Isher-van-vogt/dp/0671431293
LOL there will never be a "self sufficient" moon base in the foreseeable future. There isn't any benefit to one that is anywhere near the cost. Or to put it another way there isn't anything there that you couldn't get here for about a million times less money.
Two questions: How much do you think a moon base would cost, and who do you think should pay for it?
The most hysterical article was in the NY Times. You have to remember their primary audience is New Yorkers, and the majority of New Yorkers pi$$ themselves when they see a gun. I suspect that for the next few years firearms made in the conventional manner will be far more cost effective than anything from this technology.
Where it really has possibilities is in producing things that you can't get at the local gun shop. There is a widespread and growing trend for police departments to acquire armored vehicles for intimidating the citizenry. The ability to "print out" the mechanical components of RPGs or something like a PAK36 in 37mm would go a long way to restoring the true meaning of the second amendment.
Thanks!
Two questions: How much do you think a moon base would cost, and who do you think should pay for it?
If taxes or religious persecution become too great on earth the Moon WILL BE COLONIZED!
Two questions: How much do you think a moon base would cost, and who do you think should pay for it?
and you responded:
If taxes or religious persecution become too great on earth the Moon WILL BE COLONIZED!
You responded, but you didn't answer my questions. I'm just asking for your opinion. How much do you THINK it will cost and who do you THINK should pay for it?
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