[math-fun] "printing" 3D fractals
There are lots of examples of structural applications at the research level, such as this:
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2012/nov/27/ultralight-fractal-stru... but I haven't heard of any commercial CAD software yet incorporating the capability to make fractal supporting elements. FYI, I've illustrated a variety of algorithms for 3D printed fractals here, but they are for aesthetic, not structural applications: http://www.georgehart.com/rp/rp.html --1. that was interesting. You will recall I suggested pretty much the same "fractal structures" idea in 11 Nov 2011 math-fun post. --2. I am interested in whether one can fabricate complicated shape but ultra-precise structures made of glass. Is there any hope to do that? I want smooth surfaces and accuracy better than 1 micron. If the shapes are 2D (with some constant thickness) would that help? -- Warren D. Smith http://RangeVoting.org <-- add your endorsement (by clicking "endorse" as 1st step)
On 3/1/2013 11:33 AM, Warren Smith wrote:
...I am interested in whether one can fabricate complicated shape but ultra-precise structures made of glass. Is there any hope to do that? I want smooth surfaces and accuracy better than 1 micron. If the shapes are 2D (with some constant thickness) would that help?
Warren, Decimeter-scale objects can be 3D printed in glass by commercial providers. But "Multiphoton Lithography" is the only technology I am aware of that might do what you want on a fine scale. It isn't my area, so I don't know if anyone has worked with glass. It is usually polymers, but I can imagine it might be possible to etch a photoresist on glass and use HF or something similar to shape the glass. For a nice micron-scale polymer fractal, see: http://momath.org/home/math-monday-microscopic-fractals/ George http://georgehart.com/
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