Comment by objclxt | Hacker News Reader

Comment by objclxt | Hacker News Reader

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I doubt a shipping container that needs to be stood up on its end is intended for mass use, since most equipment capable of transporting containers isn't designed to tip them over!

However, that doesn't mean something like this couldn't work on an industrial scale in the future. There's a UK TV programme I saw last week about house building (it's called Grand Designs, if you want to look it up) which featured a house made entirely from CNC milled ply-wood boxes that were made 'on-demand' onsite, using a computer controlled milling machine shipped in on...a shipping container.

It is not a massive step from a CNC miller in a portable shipping container to a 3D printer. There are several advantages (...and disadvantages) to this approach, including being able to re-make pieces on-site should you have to make adjustments due to environmental conditions.

Pictures here: http://www.facit-homes.com/clients/celia-diana

If you click long enough you'll get one of the CNC in the shipping container. The side of the container comes off, rather than the usual door at the end, and there's a work area under a roof in front of it. Very nice.

That makes sense. The idea over here is to make consumer goods while manufacturing equipment is sailing the seven seas. Economically stupid. Maybe they could be successful targeting the luxury market or abusing the tax system. I wouldn't be surprised if this is solely getting backing due to some tax loophole. Taxes may be more than the economic inefficiency.

You've completely missed the point. This isn't intended for large-batch "industrial scale" consumer good print runs. It's not intended for printing while it's on the move.

The idea is to be able to take the custom production facility to the point of specific need so that you can iterate quickly to solve the local problem.

"the Kamermaker is designed to print huge objects including furniture, architectural elements, and even entire rooms."

Guess this could be seen as a luxury on demand printer for those who have money and don't want to wait.

Thanks for enlightening me.

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