Researchers Create Gold Aluminum, Black Platinum, Blue Silver

[xl97]

so can you take any image (raster/bitmap).. or do they need to be vector based?

does it convert to vector?

[ArkaiHalon]

Speaking for my machine, I CAN use raster images. They don't size as well as vector (obviously), so I prefer to only use them on when I don't have to adjust the size. I do have a program that can convert raster to vector.

[Rhyen Skytracker]

I hope the technology will soon become available to us and be reasonably priced.

[Thaxos]

"He now believes it's possible to alter the properties of any metal to turn it any color—even multi-colored iridescence like a butterfly's wings."
That would be pretty crazy
Very interesting technology...

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

Maybe we can convince Tim to offer this as a TCSS service.

[Sunrider]

Until they can do this with a laser that doesn't use 1.2 gigawatts per femto second methinks it won't be economical for commercial use.

[acerocket]

Bah. What you want is Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Rapid prototyping, but with metal instead of plastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW-2xaIDtMk

http://www.morristech.com/dmls.asw

[Blue Fox]

Ooooh you have a laser

.... does it etch?

[TimeRender]

Until they can do this with a laser that doesn't use 1.2 gigawatts per femto second methinks it won't be economical for commercial use.

Did you read the article closely?

"Fortunately, despite the incredible intensity involved, the femtosecond laser can be powered by a simple wall outlet, meaning that when the process is refined, implementing it should be relatively simple."

Didn't see anything about 1.2 gigawatts...

[FenderBender]

Bah. What you want is Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Rapid prototyping, but with metal instead of plastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW-2xaIDtMk

http://www.morristech.com/dmls.asw

Now THAT is cool, I didn't know this tech had progressed to metal. Is this the next Orbital Machining tool Ace