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Trigger
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Chocolate lovers may soon be able to print their own 3D creations thanks to work by UK scientists.
A 3D printer that uses chocolate has been developed by University of Exeter researchers - and it prints layers of chocolate instead of ink or plastic. Although still a prototype, several retailers have already expressed interest in taking on the device. 3D printing using plastic and metal is already widely used in industry to speed up design work.
Lead scientist Dr Liang Hao told BBC News that chocolate printing, just like any other 3D printing technique, starts with a flat cross-section image - similar to that produced by ordinary printers turning out images. "Then you do a 3D shape - layer by layer, printing chocolate instead of ink, like if you were layering 2D paper to form a 3D shape," he said.
Once a layer is completed, it solidifies, and the machine moves on to the next layer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14030720
Now that's my kind of printer! 
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funkychick
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I wish these scientists would use their brains and funds to solve some real problems
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JollyJapes
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Having read this yesterday, I can see the advantages. I can see in time when costs come down, cake shops and Tescos/Asda etc having them so you can design a chocolate bar to order, like for a birthday etc. Imagine having a chocolate bar made with your name, or perhaps in the shape of your head! As the article has mentioned, they also plan on doing designer chocolate through their own website, which is a novel idea for birthdays or christmas presents.
Having said all this, I do wonder whether the Lounge is the right place for this. A news article surely should go in the news forum.
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Jamesw82
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Can hardly call this newsworthy.
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Trigger
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Having said all this, I do wonder whether the Lounge is the right place for this. A news article surely should go in the news forum.
Obviously it’s down to a matter of opinion. I don’t see it as being newsworthy, just an amusing report of a piece of technology - so I judged it as worthy of a place in "The Lounge". Perhaps it should have gone into the “I.T. Suite”!
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funkychick
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Gosh we can save so many lives with a 3D chocolate bar
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JustStu
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why does it have to be able to save lives?
It's not claiming to be a medical breakthrough. Just because you don't see a need for it doesn't mean it's not worthwhile.
It's inventions like this that can spawn all sorts of spinoffs, which you could find medically useful.
For example, someone has invented a pump for farmers which doesn't need any power. It uses the natural pressure of the water to work. You might see that as fairly irrelevant, however the technology he has invented is now been looked at to make mini pumps which could be fitted in veins and arteries to help people with extremely low blood pressure.
You never know where "pointless" inventions may lead.
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I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said 'Tenpin?' I said, 'No, permanent.'
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JustStu
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Sorry, I've added the example into my previous post. I had to go off to remind myself what the article was I was reading the other day.
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I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said 'Tenpin?' I said, 'No, permanent.'
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JollyJapes
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Personally, I can see a use for that pump in the third world countries. Farmland may have access to a well or a bore hole with water pressure, but no mains electric power. This pump could help to port the water to where it is needed, which in turn could help farming in the third world. This in turn could help alleviate hunger throughout the world, which helps 'us' when we no longer have to subsidise other countries. This then affects us directly because money otherwise spent on overseas aid can then be used to help people in the UK.
Just because something has no apparent use for us personally, does not mean it cannot help others.
Regarding this topic in the Lounge.....
It started off as a copy of an article on the BBC News website. As such, logically I follow through and believe it to be a news item. Boatbuilder - an administrator - did only a week or so ago create a new section purely for news articles, precisely so that the Lounge and Debate sections didn't get crowded with this type of story. Them's the rules!
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Trigger
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If it’s considered necessary for it to be placed elsewhere - then I’m sure it will happen.
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malcolm
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Not news just a bit of fun.
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Forever Yellow
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funkychick
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I think the pump idea could be good and I am perfectly aware that not everything ends up being used fo rthe vision it started out
However I would like to know how much money and how many man hours have been used on what is a fun item I know many people find chololate a necessity but why it would need to be 3D or neon coloured or covered in fairy dust and fly into yor mouth at the clap of your hands when half the world is starving is beyond me
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JollyJapes
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Use your imagination!
Once you get the basics of 3D printing sorted, it brings all measure of new inventions utilising this technology. Chocolate has made the news for its fun factor, but we have already previously heard about 3D printers making things out of plastic. This is good for 'on demand' spare items such as plastic screws etc; the old-style ironmongers can now supply similar parts out of plastic, but without the need to keep copious amounts of stock on site. Once plastic is done, they will work on other materials such as iron, steel etc. I can see soon that within 10 years places such as B&Q will have these printers in a room away from customers, and you will place an order which the assistant will select on the computer and then print it out (manufacture it) to your specification. This isn't just for small items either, they have already made things such as plastic chairs from these printers! I believe the idea is to have plans - like pictures - for thousands of items available, so you can select either from a catalogue or for an extra fee perhaps even design your own item.
On a more serious note, perhaps these can be used in hospitals to 'print' plasters, bandages etc on demand. No need to keep stores, that we all know go missing and cost the NHS thousands each year. Now, you simply print on demand! Different base materials can be used to print different things. Maybe even, in the longer term, be able to 'print' replacement body parts! They have already developed synthetic skin, wouldnt it be great to be able to print this on demand?!
A fun idea makes the headlines much more than a mundane one such as a hospital tool. But the idea and technology used is identical.
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funkychick
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Ahh I get it, print a 3D bandage why didnt I think of that , gosh now i ve read furthe,r print 3D body parts to demand yes I m wrong, its a great idea
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frankiesays
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they would be extremely handy for 3D injuries?
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Trigger
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I didn't think it was that funny. 
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Mel
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I can remember when 3D would buy you chocolate...
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funkychick
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Oh very droll Mel well thought out
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Trigger
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I can remember when 3D would buy you chocolate...
Oh, a thrup'ny Joey! I've heard about them - though they were, of course, before my time. 
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Aussie K
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Mell they were not 3D's They were 3d's
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Trigger
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In my family the 3d pieces (whether the everyday ones or the silver ones found in Christmas Puds) were all referred to as Joeys.
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frankiesays
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you could well be right. Somebody of your age ought to know 
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Trigger
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It's all written into the Family Archive - so all members, irrespective of their age, will know.
Talking of coins - I expect you remember the groat.
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funkychick
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We only referred to the silver ones as Joeys
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snowdrop
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silver was joeys although ny nan had them for xmass pud..i still have thrupence the yellow ones.i only know of the groats as coin ib bible/did have queen ann penny.very heavy coin/
had privlidge to stray with mr seaby of seaby coins he had spanish dubloons in perfect condition viking roman facinating sruff.
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Boatbuilder
John
Administrator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender: 
Posts: 4747
I've learnt to take everything life throws at me!!
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......had privlidge to stray with mr seaby of seaby coins ...
The mind boggles, SD  
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 An Oyster 575 |
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funkychick
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....now we know what happened to SD 
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snowdrop
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Seaby was may still be one of the most famous coin collecters in country if not world lived in Reading big in the quaker religion.the coins he had were pristeen,he gave me queen anne geoge iv pennies they were not in good condition.
i got some farthing thrupence.what is annoying i had ten bob note put it in a book to flattern it and husband took book back to libary.
i got one of the first £2 coins but someone on here said they still in legal tender altough i not seen one.i was wondering if the bank would give me £5 coin apparently they still in use
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funkychick
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SD you said you had 'strayed with Mr Sears' thats what BB was commenting on
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Trigger
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what is annoying i had ten bob note put it in a book to flattern it and husband took book back to libary.
Big mistake! If you want to flatten a money "note" - just give it a quick once-over with a hot steam iron + a quick squirt of steam. I do all my notes that way - they come up like new.
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funkychick
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You iron your bank notes Trigger? well I ve heard it all now is that individually or do you have a banknote ironing night once a week
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Trigger
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Well, Butlers iron their employer's newspapers - so that they don't have to handle scruffy newspapers. So I just adapted that idea.
I also do the same with credit cards - only you musn't have the iron too hot - and you don't need a shot of steam. 
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frankiesays
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It's by using it to get through front doors that are locked
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Trigger
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dont you melt the plastic
You must have the iron setting at “Warm” - otherwise, yes it will melt.
What I want to know is how you manage to crease/crumple a credit card, Trigger. Sounds like you have a violent streak!
Nobody said the cards were creased or crumpled - you assumed that. I just like them to look as they did the day I got them - I’m all for Keeping up Appearances.
You can, of course, only assume what my temperament is like.
It's by using it to get through front doors that are locked
Sounds to me as though it’s something you obviously know a lot about. I don’t.
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Aussie K
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Do you hang them on the line first then after ironing put the m in the airing cupboard.
The mind boggles.
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Trigger
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Aussie - not sure whether you're referring to Notes of the Realm or Credit Cards - but, just to give a bit more background information (and quoting from my earlier posts):
Notes: For these I merely give a light ironing - plus a shot of steam. 
Credit Cards: Only use an ironing set at Warm - no steam required. If the cards looking a bit frayed around the edges - then I give a quick squirt of furniture polish - then a quick once-over with a yellow duster. Never use a feather duster - that has other uses!
Nothing goes through the washing machine, nor hung the line - and none are put in the airing cupboard.
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JollyJapes
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Sortof getting back on topic track....
The above conversation makes me wonder, wouldnt it be nice to be able to print out credit cards and money?!
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Meg
Global Moderator
Lowestoft Online Addict
Gender: 
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I love Lowestoft but I love Oklahoma more!
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You can jj , it is called counterfeiting!!!!!
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JollyJapes
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Oh dear, semantics....
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