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cjameshuff t1_j8naiwr wrote

Reply to comment by CW3_OR_BUST in NASA's "evolved structures" radically reduce weight – and waiting by Maxcactus

> Sometimes a chunk of metal is easier to get

Sometimes it's the only way to get a particular material. You're not getting single-crystal structures out of a powder bed, for example. And processes such as forging bulk materials can have desirable effects on its microscopic structure.

And yes, there are also things you can do with additive methods that you can't with casting and machining. Different manufacturing approaches have different tradeoffs. Ultimately, you'll make most effective use of these techniques by applying them where they're most effective, rather than, oh, trying to print an entire rocket or something.

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nsa_reddit_monitor t1_j8nl1f1 wrote

I want them to print an entire rocket because then I can take those designs and print a really tiny rocket at home.

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DaoFerret t1_j8o64km wrote

Knock knock knock

This is the department of homeland security! Your neighbor said you were building rockets in your garage!

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erinaceus_ t1_j8odyk7 wrote

Yes, and it really worked! I was over the moon when I found that out!

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