Thought some of you might find this of some use - especially for cars that have parts that are out of production.

http://widgets.nbc.com/o/47f1317f105123ad/...ba4377d3bfd6c81

 

I saw them at the Pacific Design and Manufacturing show in Anaheim--I went there specifically to see the Next Engine.

The product ROCKS and is fairly inexpensive. Once they hook you, you realize that some extra software is needed that costs about as much as the hardware. Still, we're talking $6k as compared to their competition at $50k.

 

I prefer the new stuff from China. It's "close" to original. For example, you can get a headlight ring that only costs perhaps $10 or $15 that almost fits - except it doesn't, so you get to spend several hours trimming it back to fit. And of course, it doesn't attach exactly like the old part either. This past winter I bought a lot of stuff for the MG and I swear at least 50% was like that; new stuff that needs modification to work.

I saw that Leno clip earlier, very cool for guys with very limited production expensive cars with parts no longer in the pipeline.

 

My mind goes to the clothing industry. Fitting clothing has never been automated. Now I'm seeing a measurement machine with a "printer" that spins out polyester.

Imagine walking into a booth and designing an ensemble on a full size screen and then manufacturing your clothing in the colors, weight, texture and perfect size for you while you wait. Or give you premanufactured clothing and style option that you know will be a perfect fit.

Wow... That would revolutionize my industry.

fltsfshr

 

Fantastic idea. That would fix my shirt problems.

Imagine how much fun I have trying to find a dress shirt. A large, XL, or 17 1/2-33 usually fits through the body, but I need a 19" collar. I tried a 19 - 34 once and it fit like a tent. When I put the jacket on, the material bunched up in my armpits and the sleeves were 4" too short.

That machine would also help me get my Florida print flannel shirts for winter wear.

 

Amazing stuff...as Jay said: It's like something out of the Jetsons.

I saw a similar printer a few years ago but it wasn't as sophisticated. It was to prototype vacuum cleaner parts at the Oreck plant that used to be here in Long Beach.