Elon recently noted that Raptor (unlike SuperDraco) won't be fully 3D-printed. It will have 3D-printed parts, but most of the engine will be machined. I guess for a larger engine the things you mentioned have to be more tightly controlled to be able to print the whole engine. Might also be a cost issue as size increases, I guess.
Re:Printers Meant to Make Rockets
by chinathrow on Friday October 20, 2017 @07:42AM
(#15514965)
Also, build size and volume is still a constraint in metal 3d printing these days.
In other ways it doesn't (depending on the techniques). Things like metallurgical resistance, defect creation and tolerances