8 Nov
2011
8 Nov
'11
9:49 a.m.
On 8 Nov 2011, at 16:47, Eric Smith <eric at brouhaha.com> wrote:
Actually the inexpensive 3D printing processes use ABS
plastic, which is quite good for production use. The extruded ABS doesn't end up with
exactly the same properties as molded ABS, but it's close enough for many
applications.
The way it is placed by a 3D printer in spots or fine layers would make it less durable,
IMHO. Moulding uses a homologous mass of molten plastic, which sets that way, to give it
strength. I wouldn't trust 3D printed plastic without proof it was adequately impact
resistant. Feel free to prove me wrong, I've never had first-hand experience with
these systems.
That's easier than the case. The PCB is CNC
milled from a single-sided copper-clad PCB. The metal baseplate for the keyboard is also
milled.
Milling isn't the issue. What is the issue is every one of those PCBs has to be laid
out, spec'd and tested as a one-off. That's quite a costly and time consuming
exercise.
--
Mark Benson
http://markbenson.org/blog
http://twitter.com/MDBenson