Re: 3D Printers in Traveller

Part of thread: 3D Printers in Traveller · 1 reply ↳ In reply to Re: 3D Printers in Traveller — Evyn MacDude Re: 3D Printers in Traveller — David Jaques-Watson
Mostly to Evan
"Earl Grey, Hot, Black"
sort of that kind of amusing?

On Sat, Feb 8, 2014 at 5:41 PM, Evyn MacDude <> wrote:

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> On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 1:25 PM, DED <> wrote:
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>> So has anyone given any thought about how these can be used in Traveller?
>> Over the next few years I think they'll have a noticeable impact on our
>> current society (they in use *now* but are largely the province of
>> hobbyists and manufacturers).
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> Honestly they will probably remain in the realm of Hobbyists and
> Manufacturers, in that how many people do you know that have a selection of
> machine tools in there garage?
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>> The limits seem to be available material.
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> That is the key point, "what feedstocks do I have on hand to fix my
> problem?".
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>> But I wonder if various nations will impose bans on certain items. Here
>> in the US, at least one guy has already made a gun (I think it was a
>> functioning replica of an AR-15 but I could be wrong). Is it possible that
>> there will be protocols programmed in to prevent the manufacture of
>> firearms?
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> Probably not. As a gun is just another type of machine. Though I could see
> societies where access to that sort of information would be restricted, as
> well as some of the easier feedstocks for chemical assemblers to construct
> common explosives and propellants.
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>> I'm thinking that there will be different sizes available. Ships could
>> carry around desktop-sized ones that will be limited to small parts.
>> Machine shop varieties will be able to make larger parts. Will the
>> manufacturers of the devices be the same ones that make starship parts? If
>> so, will the machines be programmed to prohibit those designs to force
>> starships to buy directly from the manufacturer or a licensed retailer?
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> Right now I am thinking the most common one will be the one in each
> Staterooms Culinary Unit, Which could go a long way in explained the cost
> of Life Support, needing to replace all the expired and/or half used
> Culinary cartridges... 8)
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> Largely The printers will be part of a larger chain of industrial tools
> used to produce goods, so each shop probably will have one or two to
> support the shops operations.
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> For years I have included a "Autoforge&quot; as part of a ship machine shop,
> which years ago was envisioned as a CNC Mill like device that manufacture
> parts to specification, I can see a integral printer as part of this now.
> (Note; My dad worked for a specialist Machining operation that use High
> Tech Investment casting to produce parts for Military, Aerospace and
> related specialized industries. And for the late 80s the plant was quite
> impressive)
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>> Thoughts?
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> Most of my thoughts are I have always assumed that this and similar
> technologies were already in play. Though the printer in the Culinary unit
> amuses me for some reason.
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> --
> Evyn
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