Desktop fabrication is a rapidly emerging phenomenon. eMachineShop.com has created a system that allows you to design 3-D objects on your computer and have them manufactured and sent to you relatively quickly.
The concept is simple: Boot up your computer and design whatever object you can imagine, press a button to send the CAD file to Lewis’ headquarters in New Jersey, and two or three weeks later he’ll FedEx you the physical object. Lewis launched eMachineShop a year and a half ago, and customers are using his service to create engine-block parts for hot rods, gears for home-brew robots, telescope mounts - even special soles for tap dance shoes. “Designing stuff used to be just for experts,” Lewis says. “We’re bringing it to the masses.”
[via Wired]
Comments
@ 13:59
simple and clever Bravo ! one other step in the future with in paralell the appearance of the production tools manufactured with prototyping new technologies
@ 18:57
Have some unhappy experiences with emachineshop, now I’m working with machinepier.com. they don’t provide free cad software, no instant online quote. But I’m talking with a real machinist even they are also online service provider. The price is much lower than emachineshop. quality seems to be more stable.
@ 00:17
machinepier…I’ll have a look at it.
I am so lazy that it’s a horrible thing for me to learn a new CAD software just to get a quotation. Communication with machinist about my design hears to be a great thing!
I’ll try it.