Fabrication techniques

Separate from 3-D printers (polystyrene, ABS plastic, wax, etc.) there are some other interesting developments. Based on your comments, thought you might like to read this article:

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.09/fablab_pr.html

Though Dr. Gershenfeld might think in two decades people can could have personal fabricators at home, I'd suspect that the spare parts (milling machines) and maintanence cost, will keep it from being really cheap. Still, small, custom fabrication machines would have a definate place in orbit.

"ANTIcarrot." wrote:
> From: Matt Gallimore
> It isn't until we really think of all that we have, that you
> realize that not ten or twenty of fifty or one hundred factories
> would suffice to provide us with the consumer goods we have.

Depends on the kinds of factories. Advances in 3D lithography could reduce
the number of factories needed. I also remember reading about CNC clothing
machines. you might have to acccept everything made out of plastic or
cotton - but you could still have a lot of variety in terms of pattern,
finish, and details. Cutting edge research like printable circuit boards or
microchips might be reality by then too. And in any case it's the future, of
course they won't have the kind of consumer goods we have now. ;)

> In my opinion the vast majority of space based isru activity will
> be for construction materials and volatiles.

At first yes, but in the long run the USSR shows what can happen when you
concentrate too much on heavy industry.

John