Dock Worker Strike Effect On Spyderco?

[TimButterfield]

A variable mold is an interesting idea, though I have difficulty envisioning how it could be both (3D?) variable and able to stand up to injection pressures. I can imagine something like that as variable edges on a flat surface that could be filled with a hardening liquid to a specific depth. Or, perhaps, a plate descending to enclose the cavity to allow pressurized injection.

Another idea may be a combination of separate stages, 3D printing of a part followed by CNC machining of that part for trimming and refining. That could potentially be automated to run continuously, completing one stage and being automatically moved to the next. Adding a 'setup' pre-stage could put an identifying mark (QR or barcode) on a base plate that could then be read to specify the recipe/pattern to be used for subsequent stages. That may allow for 24/7 running with batches of many different parts being produced.

Of course, there are probably all kinds of different techniques being used in manufacturing already. It has been quite a few years since I have been in a manufacturing environment. I'm not even sure what the current state of the art is any more.

[Danke]

A variable mold is an interesting idea, though I have difficulty envisioning how it could be both (3D?) variable and able to stand up to injection pressures. I can imagine something like that as variable edges on a flat surface that could be filled with a hardening liquid to a specific depth. Or, perhaps, a plate descending to enclose the cavity to allow pressurized injection.

Another idea may be a combination of separate stages, 3D printing of a part followed by CNC machining of that part for trimming and refining. That could potentially be automated to run continuously, completing one stage and being automatically moved to the next. Adding a 'setup' pre-stage could put an identifying mark (QR or barcode) on a base plate that could then be read to specify the recipe/pattern to be used for subsequent stages. That may allow for 24/7 running with batches of many different parts being produced.

Of course, there are probably all kinds of different techniques being used in manufacturing already. It has been quite a few years since I have been in a manufacturing environment. I'm not even sure what the current state of the art is any more.

Why bother with a mold? Just 3D print the scales. It's already happening Why even bother with shipping? Just sell someone a CAD file and they can print the knife at home. Now I know someone will complain about heat treatment but there has already been a non metallic Mule Team knife this year.

[TimButterfield]

Another idea may be a combination of separate stages, 3D printing of a part followed by CNC machining of that part for trimming and refining. That could potentially be automated to run continuously, completing one stage and being automatically moved to the next. Adding a 'setup' pre-stage could put an identifying mark (QR or barcode) on a base plate that could then be read to specify the recipe/pattern to be used for subsequent stages. That may allow for 24/7 running with batches of many different parts being produced.

Why bother with a mold? Just 3D print the scales. It's already happening Why even bother with shipping? Just sell someone a CAD file and they can print the knife at home. Now I know someone will complain about heat treatment but there has already been a non metallic Mule Team knife this year.

That's what I was suggesting, the 3D printing of the scales and not of the molds. While I have seen 3D printers, I don't own one nor have I even used one. So, those files would not be of use to me. A maker space may have the printer, but the printed scale would likely still need some final finishing to match a molded scale. For example, I'm not sure the printer alone could created the angled textures of scales such as on my Pac Salt2 or Maxamet Sage 5. The detail may be fine enough that a CNC step may be needed to add those.

[Danke]

Another idea may be a combination of separate stages, 3D printing of a part followed by CNC machining of that part for trimming and refining. That could potentially be automated to run continuously, completing one stage and being automatically moved to the next. Adding a 'setup' pre-stage could put an identifying mark (QR or barcode) on a base plate that could then be read to specify the recipe/pattern to be used for subsequent stages. That may allow for 24/7 running with batches of many different parts being produced.

Why bother with a mold? Just 3D print the scales. It's already happening Why even bother with shipping? Just sell someone a CAD file and they can print the knife at home. Now I know someone will complain about heat treatment but there has already been a non metallic Mule Team knife this year.

That's what I was suggesting, the 3D printing of the scales and not of the molds. While I have seen 3D printers, I don't own one nor have I even used one. So, those files would not be of use to me. A maker space may have the printer, but the printed scale would likely still need some final finishing to match a molded scale. For example, I'm not sure the printer alone could created the angled textures of scales such as on my Pac Salt2 or Maxamet Sage 5. The detail may be fine enough that a CNC step may be needed to add those.

I am sure that it's possible to 3D print finished scales, even in metal. What they would likely need to do is redesign the scales on a folder to be 3D printed instead of molded.

[TimButterfield]

I am sure that it's possible to 3D print finished scales, even in metal. What they would likely need to do is redesign the scales on a folder to be 3D printed instead of molded.

I agree. A redesign could work. It would just need to accommodate the limitations of the printer which might require different textures than we now have.

[Danke]

I am sure that it's possible to 3D print finished scales, even in metal. What they would likely need to do is redesign the scales on a folder to be 3D printed instead of molded.

I agree. A redesign could work. It would just need to accommodate the limitations of the printer which might require different textures than we now have.

I think they can capture the texture or the bi-directional pattern. It's just with a mold or NC machine you can shape it 2 ways and with printing you're working top to bottom or bottom to top. You wouldn't want to do a lot of post production cleanup and tuning.

[bleasure]

Solidarity with striking workers! Longshoremen, Boeing, and any others - the squeeze is the point, and unlike so many other inconveniences etc. in life, any arising from the essential need to ensure worker's power are a price I am proud to pay. I suspect I am not alone in this, even here

[SpyderEdgeForever]

The 3d printing of knife handles is a great idea. The main issue would be strength of material. It is advancing and improving. I believe the long term will be fully 3d printed blades and handles without any post processing steps. That will likely involve Eric Drexler style nano assembly as outlined in Nanosystems. Spyderco would make prototypes, scan them into a device that records the atomic molecular to macroscale structure as a CAD file and you the customer would order the CAD file which would run on your home or local 3d replicator, the new knife would materialize. The tricky part would be how to prevent customers from replicating unlimited copies. Perhaps Spyderco would make it so the transmitted file degrades or self deletes after one use. Or, they make their money from the original sale of the file and let the customer replicate all they want of the model.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I am sure that it's possible to 3D print finished scales, even in metal. What they would likely need to do is redesign the scales on a folder to be 3D printed instead of molded.

I agree. A redesign could work. It would just need to accommodate the limitations of the printer which might require different textures than we now have.

I think they can capture the texture or the bi-directional pattern. It's just with a mold or NC machine you can shape it 2 ways and with printing you're working top to bottom or bottom to top. You wouldn't want to do a lot of post production cleanup and tuning.

Exactly.

[TimButterfield]

The 3d printing of knife handles is a great idea. The main issue would be strength of material. It is advancing and improving. I believe the long term will be fully 3d printed blades and handles without any post processing steps. That will likely involve Eric Drexler style nano assembly as outlined in Nanosystems. Spyderco would make prototypes, scan them into a device that records the atomic molecular to macroscale structure as a CAD file and you the customer would order the CAD file which would run on your home or local 3d replicator, the new knife would materialize. The tricky part would be how to prevent customers from replicating unlimited copies. Perhaps Spyderco would make it so the transmitted file degrades or self deletes after one use. Or, they make their money from the original sale of the file and let the customer replicate all they want of the model.

I was originally thinking of the 3D printing plus CNC as a manufacturing process to avoid having to create molds for each scale variation. I'm not sure those exact files should be given away though, especially if they contain the IP protected Spyderco logo. That may be seen as encouraging infringement. But, a base template of the scale shape and the primary hole locations could be given away. Whoever wanted to print a set of scales could then add their own texture to it. That would also tend to make the home version more personal.

[zhyla]

The 3d printing of knife handles is a great idea. The main issue would be strength of material.

No, the issue is cost. Nothing will ever compete with injection molded plastic for volume production.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

The 3d printing of knife handles is a great idea. The main issue would be strength of material.

No, the issue is cost. Nothing will ever compete with injection molded plastic for volume production.

You don't think automated advanced robotic 3d printers could eventually be made that can run on CAD programs and print/assemble the same products at lower costs?

[zhyla]

You don't think automated advanced robotic 3d printers could eventually be made that can run on CAD programs and print/assemble the same products at lower costs?

Additive processes will never be faster than squirting molten plastic into a mold. Manufacturing doesn't run on daydreams.

[TimButterfield]

You don't think automated advanced robotic 3d printers could eventually be made that can run on CAD programs and print/assemble the same products at lower costs?

Additive processes will never be faster than squirting molten plastic into a mold. Manufacturing doesn't run on daydreams.

While faster to produce scales once completed, I thought the molds were very expensive to produce. If true, at least for sprint/limited runs with unique scales, 3D printing could potentially be more cost effective. So, perhaps, it is the quantity + uniqueness that may determine which is better for a specific case. High quantity sameness on molds and low quantity uniqueness on 3D. Of course, we don't know what quantity threshold is needed to make one way better than another.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

You don't think automated advanced robotic 3d printers could eventually be made that can run on CAD programs and print/assemble the same products at lower costs?

Additive processes will never be faster than squirting molten plastic into a mold. Manufacturing doesn't run on daydreams.

That is a good point. Agreed. But there is another, longer term factor to consider. Once the technology to print any computable material stable object becomes tangible reality, you have to consider the larger industrial picture. Why waste billions of dollars on huge bulky polluting factories and all of that expensive to maintain infrastructure when your entire factory can fit into a device the size of a microwave oven and if you need to build bigger you make special purpose devices that expand and contract on demand? Ofcourse this would require the types of assemblers you see on www.molecularassembler.com but it is 100 percent within the known laws of physics and once it becomes doable it would be foolish not to make.

[Danke]

While faster to produce scales once completed, I thought the molds were very expensive to produce. If true, at least for sprint/limited runs with unique scales, 3D printing could potentially be more cost effective. So, perhaps, it is the quantity + uniqueness that may determine which is better for a specific case. High quantity sameness on molds and low quantity uniqueness on 3D. Of course, we don't know what quantity threshold is needed to make one way better than another.

Molds are really expensive to make and they have a lifespan. For something like a Delica or Endura that's workable over years of production. For more niche stuff the mold is a bit more of a risk.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

While faster to produce scales once completed, I thought the molds were very expensive to produce. If true, at least for sprint/limited runs with unique scales, 3D printing could potentially be more cost effective. So, perhaps, it is the quantity + uniqueness that may determine which is better for a specific case. High quantity sameness on molds and low quantity uniqueness on 3D. Of course, we don't know what quantity threshold is needed to make one way better than another.

Molds are really expensive to make and they have a lifespan. For something like a Delica or Endura that's workable over years of production. For more niche stuff the mold is a bit more of a risk.

Great point.

[zhyla]

Why waste billions of dollars on huge bulky polluting factories and all of that expensive to maintain infrastructure when your entire factory can fit into a device the size of a microwave oven

Doesn’t sound like you know much about injection molding or production of goods. Injection molding of small parts requires tooling about the size of a small 3d printer. You need more 3d printers to keep up with one injection molding setup because even the fastest print technology is fairly slow.

You know there’s people whose entire jobs is to optimize factory times right?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Why waste billions of dollars on huge bulky polluting factories and all of that expensive to maintain infrastructure when your entire factory can fit into a device the size of a microwave oven

Doesn’t sound like you know much about injection molding or production of goods. Injection molding of small parts requires tooling about the size of a small 3d printer. You need more 3d printers to keep up with one injection molding setup because even the fastest print technology is fairly slow.

You know there’s people whose entire jobs is to optimize factory times right?

Yes all true about Bulk technology. But molecular assembly with exponential manufacturing breaks all the molds.