[Kevan]

I assume that manufacturers now use this method. Quickly printing a body the right shape then gives the opportunity to get a good finish on it and use it to produce a production mould.

I think an important thing to keep in mind with using 3D printing as I do and maybe Gordon would, is that assuming that the CAD model is good then we get very high standards of symmetry and accuracy in the reproduction but we lack fine finish.

I get over the fine finish up to a point by specifying certain areas to have a very fine layer height such as 0.05mm then to revert back to a more normal 0.1 or 0.2 mm layer step in less critical areas.

I work in composites and there are some 3D printers being trialled that can print the patterns for quite large leisure boat hulls that will have production moulds made from the patterns.

Some CAD models are garbage, don't assume anything.

Resin printers don't work with varying layers.

3D is the quickest way to pre-production models and patterns.