As a hobbyist, at $3000, I can say this would not pay for itself. I'd absolutely love to have one, but for hobbyist use, it would need to be O($100).
I think the real innovation would be to bring this from O($3000) to O($100). I actually think that's possible. There's a 3d-printed version which wouldn't be strong enough, but looking at this, what I think would be needed would be:
1. Simple metal disks, with holes drilled, cut in half. These could be economically made on a waterjet, or more economically, by slicing an extruded pipe into disks, drilling those disks with holes for more disks, and cutting them in half, as well as a top and bottom plate.
2. Plastic (3d printed or, in quantity, injection molded) fixtures to keep it together.
3. A classical vise (this could even be an insert)
The design in my head would have the metal pieces take 100% of the force when this is being used as a vise. However, instead of the complex metal machining to keep this thing fitting together, it would use cheap plastic pieces.
Most hobbyist can afford 0-2 tools in the O($3000) range, and while useful, this doesn't compete with having e.g. a high-quality welder, a mill, or a lathe.
I think the real innovation would be to bring this from O($3000) to O($100). I actually think that's possible. There's a 3d-printed version which wouldn't be strong enough, but looking at this, what I think would be needed would be:
1. Simple metal disks, with holes drilled, cut in half. These could be economically made on a waterjet, or more economically, by slicing an extruded pipe into disks, drilling those disks with holes for more disks, and cutting them in half, as well as a top and bottom plate.
2. Plastic (3d printed or, in quantity, injection molded) fixtures to keep it together.
3. A classical vise (this could even be an insert)
The design in my head would have the metal pieces take 100% of the force when this is being used as a vise. However, instead of the complex metal machining to keep this thing fitting together, it would use cheap plastic pieces.
Most hobbyist can afford 0-2 tools in the O($3000) range, and while useful, this doesn't compete with having e.g. a high-quality welder, a mill, or a lathe.
Another homebrew design I found on a quick web search: https://hackaday.com/2021/07/10/fractal-vise-holds-odd-shape...