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The Extractor --- (Functional automated 3d Printer)

Someone with a better computer than mine;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNi1MvRHbio&feature=youtu.be

Reddit page: https://www.reddit.com/r/spaceengineers/comments/2ns7f9/in_game_3d_printer_capable_of_printing_red/

PLEASE READ- this is a delicate (ie bastard) machine, using it wrong may result in hillarious yet expensive explosions. I've assumed the reader has knowledge of how projections, pistons and welders work


Concept: a 3d printer in which the product moves instead of the tools, based off of projectors, Pistons and welders. Named extractor because of how it looks

This is a station/ship capable of producing large ships*** that are up to 60*29*29 blocks large automatically (apart from the initiation of the procedure/maintenance). It is a proof of concept so I have not bothered with the frilly stuff, I have used the red ship as an example. You can technically build larger ones with this design, however you will likly find it hard to retrieve the ship from the Extractor

***so long as all blocks are traceable to the projector by a line of blocks that are horrizontal (looking inwards) or forwards from the projector. The red ship had to be modified slightly at the back to make this true, so I've included both the original and the modified version so you can see what I mean. Most ships should be producable by small adjustments/changing where the projection starts

This design is fully scalable-technically the theoretical limit is one capable of building a ship slightly less than half the volume of your sky box, though you might run into some computer issues! I was barely able to produce the red ship, however my computer is bad so others might have more luck. It is also technically survival ready less materials


Instructions for use: There are 5 main things to control, best acheived from the control station near the cargo containers which has the appropiate groups already set up

-The extractor, the long line of pistons in the centre which move the projector. Buttons 1 (reverse speed),2 (on/off) on page 1 of the control station
-The dampner. Due to the number of pistons needed for this procedure, pendulumn like effects can occur, use the dampner to dampen these effects to avoid damage (only when the extractor is stationary, as it works by clamping onto the pistons in the extractor). Button 5 page 1 which reverses speed ie applies/de-aplies dampening
-The camera. Due to distance involved you can use the camera to check that the dampners are not applied before moving the extractor. Button 4 page 1
-Welders. They weld. Button 9 page 1
-The projector. Due to the need for precision, there are many controls set up for this on page 2 and 3 of the control seat- don't worry about figuring out which is which all you need to know is that angle controls are page 3, movement controls are page 2 and opposites are paired. If you want you can set it up differently, this is just how I found dealing with this aspect easiest


All you need to do is move the extractor projector so that it is easily viewable, get the blue print of the ship you want and move it so that the *** Rule above is followed. In the world I've set it up already with the example red ship so you can see how it should be
Ensure that your ship will fit as well otherwise you'll end up with half a ship.
Once you are satisfied, lower the extractor with dampners OFF and the welders OFF (seriously, make sure this is the case) untill the projection is completely submerged beneath the welders.
Turn on welders
Reverse the extractor, enjoy the show/lag

The dampner should only be applied when the extractor isn't supposed to be moving and there is no ship on the end. If there is a ship on the end of the extractor the massive force could break the pistons if you try to dampen them. If a problem arises during the extraction the best course of action is to let the extractor finish its job- if thats not going to happen, server the umbilical cord betwen the extractor and your ship, apply the dampners and manually stabilize your ship


However no problems have arised yet in my testing, although some damage can occur to the extractor. The most obvious weakpoint is the line extractor pistons and these have to be protected- or you could use the extractor to build 50 spares and replace as needed. Occsionally my computer freezes as it digests the process, but It hasn't failed yet.



General DON'Ts (PLEASE READ):
-Move the extractor if the dampening pistons are aplied- It is possible for the extractor to catch on them, which would be bad
-Lower an active projection whilst the welders are on- the welders will weld blocks above them as the extractor tries to push them down


Testing notes:

-RED SHIP-Done no problems

-BLUE SHIP- Done. A few Key blocks infinished by process, you would need to manually complete the ship, however 99% blocks are compeleted

-It appears results are variable- Red ship just come out incomplete (missing 5 special blocks). I believe this is due to either lag or pendulumn effects. It is possible to check at the projector controls how many blocks are missing and of what type, I'd recommend giving ships a manual once over before servoring the ship from the projector, so you can see what they are mssing due to the projection.

-I have updated this slightly, incidences of welders welding objects as they pass through the welders should be less common so damage to welders and dangerous incidnets should be less common

-Small ships 'can' be done by this particular design by a simple large to small conversion point at the end of the extraction pistons. Be warned, their failure rate is much higher due as they tend to get stuck on the welders. I am working on a different bespoke system to mass produce smaller ships

-Many concentrated artificial mass's appear to break the pistons regardless of gravity fields