User talk:CharlesC
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[edit] Final Project in Mechanical Engineering
Hi, I saw that you were the author/editor of all kinds of interesting articles and you might be able to help me out. I have plenty of time before I have to decide, but I am looking for a subject for my final project for my bachleor degree. What I would like to do is to look closer at any mobile SFF/FFF units that can be used in contexts like development assistance or humanitarian aid, and if there arent any, the reason for that. Do you have any nice articles or resources I could look in to? Cheers, --Valross 15:08, 13 September 2007 (UTC)
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- I'm not sure there are any solid-freeform fabrication machines suited to the job just yet. One problem is that rapid prototyping / rapid manufacturing machines are only rapid in the context of old fashioned product development techniques - builds actually take many hours and sometimes days to complete. Currently in a development assistance or humanitarian aid situation it would be much quicker for people to custom build things by hand - high level of tolerance and accuracy are not usually required in these situations (although I don't know what timescales you mean when talking about "development assistance").
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- Having said that, things in this field are developing and improving pretty fast and I think mobile SFF units could have a significant part to play in the not too distant future aiding the situations you mention. (I think it will have a truly massive impact in the developed world too, but that another story).
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- If you haven't already, I would recommend reading about the following which could be relevant: RepRap, FabLab, Fab@Home, Architecture for Humanity, Contour Crafting, Electron beam melting and Open Design. RepRap's goal is ideal as it is a multi-material, self-replicating fabricator and the team are hoping to be able to use a plastic feedstock that can be made from plants grown as a crop that could be grown locally. RepRap was initially a university project (University of Bath) and a number of people have been involved with it as part of their final year project. Perhaps you might like to contact one of the team members and ask what you could do as a final year project that contributes to its development? Just a thought! Hope some of this helps and good luck! --CharlesC 22:07, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
[edit] What amazing pictures
Just saw your additions to Rhossili. Now I know what those paragliders above my head are up to!
Image:Burry Holms.jpg is astounding. I wonder if it -- or a trimmed version of it (keeping the top half) -- might be worth adding to Loughor estuary?
Telsa (talk) 21:53, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks very much! I've just come back from a week there with the family. Weather was wonderful for flying and going to the beaches with children!
- Sure, I've added the image to Loughor estuary too. I didn't crop it as it made the image look a little distant. I think Rhossili Down maybe gives some context to the viewpoint. -- CharlesC 22:19, 31 July 2006 (UTC)
