Actually TT05, these systems are real money savers. Major savings. Lets say you are Nissan and you want to test the rear door hinges on the KC. You take a look at the complexity of it and tell me how long you think it would take to fabricate a "one off" sample of the hinge? Bending, welding, drilling, milling, etc.

These "rapid prototyping" systems take the 3D model from the Computer Aided Design (CAD) and slices them into imaginary layers about 0.020" thick. Then the RP system (one Style) fills a tank with thermo set polimer. The laser traces the outline of the component in the first slice. The polimer hardens. The work platform decends 0.020" down. The laser traces the next layer and hardens it. layer after layer until the component is built up and solid 3D component has been built. This might take 20 or 30 hours. But this is unattended operation. So it is much cheaper to make a test part this way.
This component could also serve as the pattern for a casting mold if that is the intended use.
This is a great invention and once cheaper systems make it on the market, I can see advances in machining technology at reduced prices.

Red

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Ralph Featherstone
Silverdale, Washington
2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy