Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Open (i think) design for a parallel robot (reprap may be interested)

Is it just me, or are there others wondering what these machines are
intended for?

How can the apparent goal of self-replication (of a largely metalic
machine) be
accomplished by squirting layers of hot-melt plastics? Or carving foam??

They're fascinating to watch .. but other than rapid-prototyping (making
plastic
models of things), and/or as a conceptual challenge, of what utility are they
for getting -real work- done??? Or is that not the point?? Is it all really
academic for you folks? Engineering student toys, in other words. That's how
it sounds to me, so far. Maybe it's enough to get it built and moving, with
little thought as to what can actually be -done- with the thing?? A useless
robot, in other words. But utility may not be the point. In which case, why is
the whole thing relevant here?

Things have to be really beefy to do heavy, yet precise, work in steel,
and I don't see how eliminating mass is going to work at all for us home-
shop types doing metal. Plastic bearings wouldn't last long at all, either.

Yes, I know a tripod is a very strong structure. And I do get the concept
of the things. But, there has to be mass somewhere, doesn't there?? How can
a decent spindle holding real milling cutters hang off spindly legs?? Or
is there a 'scale' thing here I'm not getting?

I DO admire those who think out-of-the-box, tho. And I sure hope you smart
folks can come up with a revolutionary home-built, -useful- for everyday
work, machine.

Ron Yost .. looks at his quaint mill and lathe and ponders the universe.