I have a proposal for the venture capitalists out there. It is an infinite-capacity infite-axis milling machine. Rather than using linear rails and drives, it uses helicopters.

Let me know if you would like to buy my idea. Bidding starts at 1 dollar! :cheers:

You are crazy

Sounds pretty efficient... cutters on the rotor tips and your chip removal and positioning horsepower would overlap. :P



Tiger

Major drawback that I see is that if the wind is in the wrong direction, you'll have a serious backlash problem.

bond, james bond...

Is there an open source GPS controller and interface already available or should we develop some kind of proprietary controller for the "Heli-Chop-ter" or "Heli-Chopper" or "Heli-Carver" or "Rotor-Zip"?

For those who need the precision of a Laser, the controller could be upgraded to tap into the unused capacity of the High Energy Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS) or the Mobile/Tactical High Energy Laser (M-THEL) Program.

:idea: Ya know, successful businesses have started out with ideas as wacky as, or wackier than, this one! ;)

HayTay

Major drawback that I see is that if the wind is in the wrong direction, you'll have a serious backlash problem.

Not if you have the right controller!!! :banana:

I think the helicopter idea is the only viable solution for wood milling at this point in time. Cheap, accurate, quiet, and very very safe.

But for metals and plastics, underwater is the key by using submarines. For milling really large objects, we will have to build the "USS Ohio NC".

A third idea is to use mini robots with microscopic end mills attached to them. Basically they crawl all over the workpiece, and using a 3D radar system, they decide whether they need to move to the next point or drill down at their given location.

The robots can also be used to clear up arteries. We'll make billionz selling to cardiologists across the globe.

I'm betting this thread has a bunch of newbies , scratching their heads! Ha! Ha! :devious:

Where's the problem ?
Slartibartfast really enjoyed doing the fiords. I wonder where his home zero was ?

Makes you wonder, did Slartibartfast use absolute, Cartesian (for maps) or "POLAR" coordinates?

Maybe you could use GPS'd H2's with robotic ditch-witches on 'em. Head on out to the salt flats in Utah, and make some skyscraper molds. Convert some fire trucks to spray an epoxy / carbon fiber tow mix, and voila, instant carbon fiber skyscraper panels. Fly 'em in, raise 'em up, bolt 'em together. Could be used for bridges, too...

A thought for anyone who says the salt flats aren't flat enough- remember, you could always convert a steam roller into a GPS'd surface grinder.... ;)

Just think, 85 mph rapids!!!

What about using submarines where a lot of cutting fluids are needed. :confused:

The position of the heli could be know by GPS, and software would make the compensation for the wind acording to where the heli was.

I know this is a joke post , but sometimes "out there" thinking is a good thing.
I bet the first CNC machine as a concept idea was thought of in terms of it could never be done. 100 years ago, a person would have been laughed off the planet if they predicted 200 ton machines flying through the air.

Where's the problem ?
Slartibartfast really enjoyed doing the fiords. I wonder where his home zero was ?

I thought it was obvious his home ref was in stavanger and his maxX and maxY in vardø but I'm still trying to figure out what P he used in G42.