Quote:
Originally Posted by safisher
It might be possible to build a really high end armor out of additive technology, which is what they do for race car and aerospace parts. 3D printing metal alloys is commonplace in those industries.
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That sounds like we live in the future right now, you guys!
Could you use that to take already existing trauma plates of incredibly hard steel alloys, 11"x14", 10"x12" and smaller side plates, and somehow print somewhat softer metal alloys around them to create
an apparently solid cuirass of a desired appearance, to be used as a part of a full suit of plate hand-built by an armourer catering to re-enactors?
Or to link together the high hardness trauma plate and several pieces of hand-made armour for the same effect, if that would yield a higher DR, better fitting cuirass?
Or are the 3D printed alloys already comparable to the best steel armour made with more traditional methods, or perhaps even superior?
How far in the future are we living? :-)
Also, I assume you could hire a Chinese company to perform such labour? Like, if you had contacts who knew someone at a huge conglomerate there that is sure to make something like parts for high-performance race cars or aerospace vehicles...
Or maybe something slightly less likely to have security and intelligence types monitoring everything and everyone...
Are there applications that are less sensitive to espionage concerns? What kind of companies would have the required rechnology to do this?
What about something to do with mining?
Mines sometimes need spare parts with exacting specifications and very high wear-resistance at short notice, far away from stores or delivery services, right?