Very nice, but there is investment in the design, which is no different to now. I just don't understand this theory that it is cheaper. There is definate risk, in this case of a plastic competition, just after the design has been done. The price will also be the same as any resin kit. Resin is relatively cheap but the design costs and process dictate kits costs, this will be the same. I agree the design process fits with this type of model very well and it is engineered in real life, it is also very nice as I am partial to the odd afv. Having been told this is the future so many times I wonder if it is worth investing in any more new products, I am getting the feeling we are a stop gap for many and it's quite disheartening to be honest when it's stated bluntly.
You see Graham: Development takes time and time has to be valuated. Here, risk and return are a bit identical: Crafting with clay or with a mouse after all time is time.
Cheaper... Well, cheap 3D printing is something yet to come. The current cost per cubic inch (of something with top quality) is still a premium price. But each month I talk about this, numbers are lower: reminds me of 2d inkjet printing in 1991, 1992 ... by 1996 it was already a fraction of what was just five years previously: Both machines and consumables.
This tank has a price comparable to an aftermarket resin model, but it will become subsequently cheaper in the future. It has several key advantages over traditional cottage industry: An error is fixed using Control+Z, something inaccurate can be instantly fixed, no molds, no mess mixing resin, no bubbles, no inventory of silicon masters all around, no mould degradation and finally while not everyone are gifted artisans to scratchbuilt a master, anyone can use these programs.
But ... here comes a happy but ... there's room for traditional people too.
Airfix announced that in 2015, they will produce kits using LIDAR technology:
LIDAR radar technology allows some of the most precise printings to be done. See this Airfix video touching modeling today:
But because massive 3d print is not yet affordable, like printing business cards, Airfix still takes risks in developing molds. But sooner these molds can be an invention from the past too. Massive 3d is also coming ...
You can pick a traditional master and scan it.
I am going to show an extreme example of what integrated 3D techs can do. Thanks to scanning and printing, this ill fated gentleman , stroked by a tumor, now can wear a 3D printed prosthetic face:
This example, shows how things are going. You can have a real subject, scan it and print it. Unlike the previous noble example, this is purely for vanity or entertainment:
But it just goes to show you what is about to come. Either you can take a master sculpt to scan, or alternatively you can dress someone, pose him, scan him and print him:
and the machines to do all this are getting small and small, cheaper and cheaper:
No doubt when we remember the Guttenberg press and printing industry today a gigantic evolution is felt. But in 3d, things are just starting ... this tech touches only certain businesses, however when 3d print becomes cost efficient in printing metals then we'll have a completely new industrial revolution. Pity we'll have to wait yet a decade to be living this
