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[Blick Fang]

Hi All!  Anybody getting ready to take their work to another level by getting a 3D printer?

[ianross]

Please tell us more, what is the cheapest 3d printer, is anim8or good for 3d printing?

[Raxx]

I made my own 3D printer back in 2011. Since then 3D printers can be made for a lot cheaper, and you could build your own for probably $400 or so if you're smart with your shopping for parts.

I made a .stl export script that exports from Anim8or to the format the printer slicing software uses to slice the model into layer data to feed into the machine.

[cooldude234]

Wow, I can't believe it was that long ago.

Now I'm the one feeling old 

[johnar]

 Hey there.
 Raxx  I was/am amazed at this project. You started this in 2011, how did it go...?
 Did you get to use yor machine to print anything 3D.?
 

[Raxx]

I finished it, of course. However, it's currently in a state of disrepair, collecting dust. The problem with this kind of machine is that it always needs to be recalibrated, and something can easily go wrong. I was printing up a large quantity of custom parts for a costume I was working on, and since it takes several hours I had to leave it unattended for a while (it had safety features to prevent most cases of fires). Unfortunately the heating element burned out, I replaced it, but since it was the third or fourth replacement, the heating element could not fasten well enough to make a complete seal and ended up seeping melted plastic into the parts surrounding it, thereby screwing it all up

I did manage to print a lot of stuff though, and I initially started the project not because I had things to print, but because I wanted to be able to print things in the future. I no longer have things I want to print, and I can't foresee things I'd need to print in the future, so I'm good I regret not being able to finish Simon's car model and the other models I offered to print, but currently there's no way.

This type of 3D printer isn't really suited for organic models, however, and is better for inorganic objects and rapid prototyping. Basically, you should have a good reason to build a 3D printer, considering all the maintenance required and the cost of the filament and replacement parts.

[ENSONIQ5]

3D printing is one of the key research areas the organisation I work for (CSIRO http://www.csiro.au/) is involved in, specifically additive manufacturing using titanium (http://www.csiro.au/en/Organisation-Structure/Flagships/Future-Manufacturing-Flagship/Ti-Technologies/TT-Manufacturing.aspx).  3D printing of temporary organ replacements is also in its infancy, this is seriously exciting stuff.  My favourite 3D printing link is below... melting sand with the sun!
http://www.markuskayser.com/work/solarsinter/

[Blick Fang]

Great stuff!

ianross, there are some companies that will print your 3D project for you.  Not sure of the details like:  what type of file to provide or anything else.  A couple of friends were talking about going in on one.  I am not entirely sure these printers are going to be as influential (at first especially) as some predict.

Happy Friday!

 

[johnar]

Raxx. Although your machine is now collecting dust, i'm MASSIVELY impressed by your efforts. Respect. 

ENSONIQ5 I watched that guy in the desert with his sand-melting machine. Far out. (also loved his 'office') lol.
 

3D printing of temporary organ replacements is also in its infancy, this is seriously exciting stuff.

 Yesterdays science fiction really does become todays science fact. Real eye/(mind) opening stuff.  Sounds like you hav a pretty cool job. 

 I remember seeing a 3D printing machine on tv, quite a few years ago, (tommorows world, or some series like that), and wondering how long that it would take to really become accessable to the 'general public'.

 After seeing Raxxs' home made 3D printer, and 'the sand-man', and Blick Fangs post, i see that this really is now a happening thing.
 I mentioned the one i saw on tv a few years back to my mum and dad and,  being in there seventies, they seemed to find it nearly impossible to comprehend.
 I must 'update' them on the progress of 3D printing.   
 Awesome stuff.

[lppena]

I saw news story last week about some people actually using 3D printers to make a working hand gun and various other gun components. Is this what 3D printers can typically do? Quite impressive and now I have a better understanding where before I guess I didn't really have a clue what a 3D printer was actually capable of. Greetings, to all and I've been preocupied with other things lately. It's wonderful that members are still active with Anim8or. Leroy. 

[cooldude234]

some other people have even printed off a working motorcycle
youtube.com/watch?v=eNeXfBapcRo[/youtube]]http://www.

[ENSONIQ5]

One very cool thing about 3D printing is that it is possible to make things that are impossible to make using any other process.  For example, the hinges used on airliner cargo doors are currently made from cast alloy for lightness, but for strength they are still pretty bulky.  They could be made lighter without compromising strength by cutting out certain areas, making the structure kind of like the flying buttresses on a cathedral, however conventional casting methods do not allow this (the part has to physically come out of the mould).  With 3D printing the parts can be made lighter, stronger, and potentially cheaper (once the process gets faster) since there are no intermediate mastering and casting steps between the design and the product.  The process also virtually guarantees that the parts are produced without internal faults or stresses, once the parts are 'baked' after printing.

Heard today something about someone planning to 3D print food as a possible end to starvation in some parts of the world... I seem to hear a certain bald starship captain saying "Tea, Earl Grey, hot"!

[Blick Fang]

I want to ad a bit to the 3D motorcycle post.  The person who uploaded the video says:

"This is a full scale model. It is used to get a sense of form, not function. It will not run, but you can roll it around and see if it will fit ion your garage. The parts are printed using colored plastic so they do not have to be painted. It is possible to 3D print items out of metal."

[Water Music]

So ENSONIQ5, I've been curious.  When I've heard of 3d printed titanium parts, I have assumed that they printed a plastic model that they used to make a mould.  Can titanium be printed directly?  Electricty and wire feed, rather than piping in liquid metal, I suppose?

[cooldude234]

Metals can be printed but in a slightly different process (maybe not in the future?)
As there are different 3D printers for different types of plastics (like the powdered plastic, or like raxx's design one that prints layer by layer by melting plastic from a strip into place), there are different ones for metals.

Heard today something about someone planning to 3D print food as a possible end to starvation in some parts of the world... I seem to hear a certain bald starship captain saying "Tea, Earl Grey, hot"!

I actually thought about this a long while ago whilst thinking up sci-fi stuff. I was thinking things like growing or printing meat directly (without the rest of the body) that way you can eat the meat without the slaughter (DEATH TO PETA ). However that is probably a long ways into the future.

I would like to add something to this post while were on the topic.
I recently read an article about the ethics of 3D printing. Basically it said that companies are going to be ripped off. Lego was the example they used because of it's simplicity to print. Think of it, why buy Lego when you could just print off any piece you need instantly in any colour. Another company (unnamed) actually said they wanted to ban 3D printers (that just boiled my blood to temperatures high).