dsi1 wrote:
> On 9/1/2012 4:56 AM, notbob wrote:
>> Well, not quite yet, but you can be sure it's right around the
>> corner.
>>
>> Perhaps most of you are not aware of 3D printing yet. That's where a
>> computer controlled 3-axis nozzle extrudes some kinda glop in layers
>> to build up a 3D object. The glop is usually some kinda hard setting
>> resin that will produce a solid object. Now, imagine some kinda food
>> glop. Not too difficult to imagine, as there is plenty of it out
>> there, already. Think soft-serve ice cream or Cheez Whiz on a 3-axis
>> bed, only the glop sets up hard, or at least firm. It might look jes
>> like this:
>>
>> http://creativemachines.cornell.edu/node/194
>>
>> Frankly, I don't look forward to a KA or Cuisinart food printer, as it
>> means we will be making more and more of our foods into some kinda
>> spam-like sludge to force though a buncha interchangeable nozzles.
>> But, I suspect it's gonna be pushed on us, rather we want it or not.
>> In fact, it's rumored there's already a iPhone app that will phone in
>> a custom 3D burrito. Not too far fetched to imagine. An all glop
>> burrito. Taco Bell's offerings are pretty much there, already. Jes
>> need some lettuce glop.
>>
>> Come to think of it, we already have a 3D food printer. It sits on a
>> porcelain water filled mount. Not much control, though. My 2D drink
>> jet printer works much better. I can write my name!
>>
>> nb
>>
>
> I think we'll be seeing all kinds of amazing, beautiful, food products
> made by 3D printing. One of these days, we'll print our own guitars.
>
> The hearing aid industry has been printing custom hearing aid shells for
> about 20 years. These days, most everybody does it that way. OTOH, at
> least one manufacturer has rejected printing 3D shells. They prefer to
> do it the old fashioned way by using investment casting. Oddly enough,
> they do an excellent job.
>
Oh, I am now thinking of dental crowns and implants.

--
Jean B.