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Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts)
Mon Sep 22, 2014, 05:28 PM Sep 2014

Telescope made using a 3D printer captures incredible picture of the moon

Telescope made using a 3D printer captures incredible picture of the moon
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Monday 22 Sep 2014 11:21 am



A space telescope anyone can build for just £100 offers images that rival the output of models ten times the price.

There’s just one catch: to make it, you need a 3D printer, which costs a minimum of £400.

The plans for the PiKon telescope were drawn up by University of Sheffield researchers, who describe the gadget as a “game changer” after the researchers published the 3D model plans online for anyone to use.

The ‘brain’ of the telescope is a £25 Rasperry Pi computer, available to buy online, and other parts such as the lens and mirror are freely on sale, too.

The computer is so small it can be mounted directly in front of the mirror. It offers 160 times magnification – enough for clear pictures of the moon, galaxies, star clusters and a few planets.

More:
http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/22/telescope-made-using-a-3d-printer-captures-incredible-picture-of-the-moon-4877507/

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Telescope made using a 3D printer captures incredible picture of the moon (Original Post) Judi Lynn Sep 2014 OP
This 3-D stuff could be the ' Gutenberg Galaxy ' of the modern age !!! orpupilofnature57 Sep 2014 #1
I can't wait until they make 3-D Printers Vending Machines. Baitball Blogger Sep 2014 #2
I'm working on a 3D printer that prints 3D printers. :-) NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #3
Let's hear it for rudimentary lathes! Baitball Blogger Sep 2014 #4
Hear, Hear!! PeoViejo Sep 2014 #14
They actually already have plans for a 3d printed printer. Sirveri Sep 2014 #7
Well, there's also Von Neumann machines, designed back in the 1940s... Electric Monk Sep 2014 #9
One problem I can see with the evolutioary concept of Machines. PeoViejo Sep 2014 #15
Really? Are you series?!?! Tell us more! n/t eridani Sep 2014 #10
Got it . orpupilofnature57 Sep 2014 #5
Ohhh.... Baitball Blogger Sep 2014 #6
3d printing larger objects is too slow for that use. Sirveri Sep 2014 #8
Star trek padfun Sep 2014 #11
Join the borg. marble falls Sep 2014 #12
I want to print my perfect pet ... N_E_1 for Tennis Sep 2014 #13
OK, here tis alfredo Sep 2014 #16
This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Sep 2014 #17

Baitball Blogger

(46,737 posts)
2. I can't wait until they make 3-D Printers Vending Machines.
Mon Sep 22, 2014, 05:58 PM
Sep 2014

They would be more popular than the melted souvenir ones:

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
3. I'm working on a 3D printer that prints 3D printers. :-)
Mon Sep 22, 2014, 06:03 PM
Sep 2014

An old saying among machinists is that a lathe is the only machine that can reproduce itself...

 

PeoViejo

(2,178 posts)
14. Hear, Hear!!
Tue Sep 23, 2014, 02:09 PM
Sep 2014

Why spend a Month developing a program to make an item, when you can freehand it in a Day with old fashioned tools.

Sirveri

(4,517 posts)
7. They actually already have plans for a 3d printed printer.
Mon Sep 22, 2014, 06:40 PM
Sep 2014

Though I think you still need to purchase metal structural rods (unless you have an $80k 3d metal printer like they're proto-typing at LLNL).

http://reprap.org/

 

PeoViejo

(2,178 posts)
15. One problem I can see with the evolutioary concept of Machines.
Tue Sep 23, 2014, 02:16 PM
Sep 2014

With Living creatures, the failures just die and rot away. Machines, on the other hand, would leave the Planet covered in useless Junk.

Sirveri

(4,517 posts)
8. 3d printing larger objects is too slow for that use.
Mon Sep 22, 2014, 06:43 PM
Sep 2014

So you could print a toy robot, however it would take about 4 hours and then you would need to submerge the platter in a vat full of lye for 10-20 minutes. This is assuming plastic as the medium, however you can also print with cement, and other things that tend to go faster and not require a platter to adhere to.

padfun

(1,786 posts)
11. Star trek
Tue Sep 23, 2014, 11:39 AM
Sep 2014

We are getting closer and closer to having replicators. Right now we still need materials, but eventually it will just suck the shit from the air and make everything from nitrogen.

Response to Judi Lynn (Original post)

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