Paper planes that weigh 4 tons

Damian Koh | Jul 24, 2006

Unless you have access to Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works research facility in California, it's unlikely (we think) you'll be able to "print" your personal plane. But if you've already made plans to smuggle out that microwave oven-sized chamber dubbed a 3D printer, let us have a go at it, too, after you've had your fun.

Paul Marks from NewScientist.com reported that Lockheed Martin has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) known as the Polecat with a wingspan of 28m and a feather weight of 4 tons. According to Skunk Works, the UAV can be built within 18 months and is constructed using low-cost rapid prototyping materials and methods which provide cost-saving advantages.

We don't recommend that you try this at home, but if you really must, you can use laser beams to heat a polymer or metal powder and fuse it layer by layer to form the object of your desire.

That sure beats the paper planes we've been folding using the recycled garbage from our office printouts.

Filed under: Printers
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