On 25/12/2014 10:14, polygonum wrote:
On 25/12/2014 10:02, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Thu, 25 Dec 2014 09:52:45 +0000, polygonum
wrote:

I am currently assembling an Ormerod 2 3D printer at work. It's a fun
project - we are not launching into 3D printing services. Not yet... :-)

About three-quarters of the way through the basic assembly.

I've never used one before and, other than the parts of the printer
itself, have not even knowingly come into contact with 3D printed parts
before. Now I have the opportunity to play with one, it seems not a bad
idea to start a 3D printing thread. I know I'd have liked one to
re-create a number of small parts for various things around the house!

They recently e-mailed 3D printer instructions for a spanner up to the
International Space Station. Much simpler than sending a real one up
by rocket! http://tinyurl.com/l9qfq6v

Yep - I smiled when I saw that - I think our printer kit arrived the day
the spanner was made. :-)

(When I first saw the story, my astigmatic eyes saw "spammer" and I
struggled to understand why they'd want one of them anywhere, least of
all on the ISS!)

I have no idea how a 3D printer can make a spanner strong enough to undo
and tighten screws. what is the media it prints? Perhaps someone could
point us to a web page that explains it all.