3D printer
 

Well, I did it.

I just bought myself a 3d printer.

And yes, I used the SUBSIM affiliate link on amazon.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

And yes, I'll be offering up it's services to rent if anybody needs something.

I had one in my ROP CAD class a few years ago. It came with some models already in the printer, and the one that had me really impressed was the whistle it printed with the ball free floating inside of it.

I'd love to have one...some day :cool:

Be more agressive!!! :O:

Rgr that :)

if you have this printer, then this is for you: http://tinyurl.com/lfyco54
warning:NSFW

I'm at a loss thinking what I would use one for outside of prop building. What do you have in mind for yours?

I hope I'll be able to get one someday - at the very least, just to fulfill my dream of spiting the ad that said "You wouldn't download a car!"

What kind of 3D printer is that? Desktop device? You know some print hand tools, some turbine blades (Siemens, experimental so far), some houses (guy in China, don't remember name)...

XYZ davinci. It does. 8" cubes (210mm).

I will mainly be using it for boat parts on the RC sailboat. There is a class of boat that is limited to 300mm long, 150mm wide, 300mm high, and I will be working on a planing/foiling version of that.

www.thingiverse.com is a repository of things people have made.

Things I want to eventually make:

Quad-copter. With my radios already purchased from the RC sailboat, this will actually be a very cheap endeavor. Adding an adruino board and a little programming will make it into a drone.

Chess set.

a bunch of desktop doohickeys for practice.

Custom camera mounts

My nephews favorite toy is a marble stacking thing that was my toy originally many decades ago. Some of the original parts are missing and there were always new parts that they never made.

Custom pieces for his wooden train set.

I've already forgotten a half dozen things I want to make.

To be honest, the list is infinite.

Welcome back!
 

Maxolius! after a bit of a silent run!:Kaleun_Salute:

It is entirely possible 3D printer could do to manufacturing what PC text printers did to publishing. The ability to create an object without needing a manufacturing facility is akin to being able to produce printed works, books, etc., without a printing press. It will be interesting to see what becomes of manufacturing as 3D printer become more numerous and inexpensive...


<O>

I'm not sure the analogy is close enough though.

Text printers never printed in a format conducive to reading in a leisurely setting. The e-reader has done that. But the point is valid though.

I would expect, 10-15 years out, that about 30% of homes will have their own 3d printer. Even with idiot proofing trends in similar hardware, it will probably remain a semi complicated piece of equipment to run. But, sites like thingiverse and others do open up interesting possibilities. I will believe that 95%+ of the population, within that same timeframe, will have used 3d printing to create something they need.

I envision store fronts that have various models of printers, using various materials. These are options already available today. But then you can download a design, customize it if you know how (that's the kicker, simple engineering knowledge to get it right), and send it to the shop. They then make it in the appropriate material, and you pick it up later or the next day. Local 3d printers aren't prevalent enough for this option, and shipping costs play a part. So unless it's a custom job, it's not cost efficient to 3d print most everyday objects.

30-50 years out though.... especially with the advances in bio-3d printing.. fully working replacement organs, using the patients own tissue as a base to work with so there isn't rejection issues. Which means, if you have a starter piece of meat, you can 3d print a steak. The StarTrek replicators are not out of the question in the realm of 3d printing.

I know my list of things to make keeps getting longer and longer, I forget more than I remember.

I think one of the first things I'm making is a reinforcing bracket for my head board that squeaks when, well.... you know...

Let me guess...trip over onto the bed whilst trying to balance one one leg when removing your trouders :hmmm:

Some things I've printed, some are my design, some are downloads, the models are downloads.

Cigar Case:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfd122a54.jpg

"Ball" in a box, not as spectacular for a 3d printer, as it was the mark of a skilled woodcarver, but still fun:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...psa55bf42f.jpg

Xenomorph bust:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...pse7d8491b.jpg

Vampire Skull:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps7f054c53.jpg

And a diarrhea unicorn, it was a test print to see how overhangs compared with and without support. The result was too comical to not keep:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps47a36926.jpg

I've also done a number cookie cutters, you'd be surprised at the number of people who want custom cookie cutters. A pop blocker shield for microphones for audio recording, and numerous other odds and ends.

My next project is a working, single print, ball bearing. should be a good test. Quality is improving over the prints you see, the cigar case is particular, I have it down to +/- .25mm accuracy on the fit of the lid. if I do a quick print (as the unicorn is), it gets sloppy, but If let it go slow, the quality improves. The Skull was a 23 hour print. the weird aberration across the eyes and nose is actually a hiccup in the file I didn't see, not a problem with the printer.