"Theo Markettos" wrote in message
...
polygonum wrote:
On 25/12/2014 20:09, Brian Gaff wrote:
The thing is though, How does one get the data about the part into the
system? Is there a 3D scanner as well?
Brian

There certainly are 3D scanners. However, I suspect that a lot of items
are designed in software and that design simply put into a form that a
3D printer can use.

True. But what's the chance of getting the CAD file for that thing in
my
20 year old dishwasher? Or the 'funny clippy bit' on my bike? Call up
the
manufacturer and ask?

I have heard that there are 3-D scanners that will create the DXF file for
you,
prior to conversion with your favourite CAM program.