[emporas]

There is also 3d printing origami shapes [1]. But 3D printing is still plastic(usually).

The idea of origami steel sheets has stuck on my mind ever since I found out about laser welding. Cutting thin 2mm sheets of steel, stitching them back together in different shapes, and holding tons of weight? That sounds very compelling to me.

[1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNVBK7-h9Fs

[dietr1ch]

Anyone knows how does 3D printed metals compare to CNC-made parts?

I know it's been used to build engines, which suggests they are strong, but there's also all this process around ancient swords around tempering, folding, etc that suggests that maybe just 3D-printing metals might result in weaker structures.