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DoogsATX The Makerbot 2 is really cool - but even at 100 micron resolution I'm hesitant that it can match the detail and quality of where resin casting and styrene molding are at today.
The Makerbot 2 is really cool - but even at 100 micron resolution I'm hesitant that it can match the detail and quality of where resin casting and styrene molding are at today.
One reason I don't think it will is a poll in this discussion group a few weeks ago. Someone asked what items accounted for the biggest spending. Tools was very far down on the list. Few of us seem to spend much on tools. Since that 3D printing technology is pretty expensive, and will probably remain so for quite awhile, I don't see it becoming common on most modelers workbenches.
Sort of like lathes, modeler's drill presses, modeler's power saws, home PE sets and such. Yeah, a few of us may buy them, but not that many of us. Most prefer to use their money for kits and supplies.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
My son is an CAD draftsman and for a while, he and his wife thought about investing in a 3D printer to start their own business. They discussed this with some company in Austin who sold them. He now works for DMS(Dynamic Manufacturing Solutions) in Austin and it seems like he told me that they had one. Not sure though. I do know that DMS is pretty high-tech, with clean rooms that put a surgical operating room to shame. I think it's an exciting concept for us.
Gary
"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"
The Makerbot 2 is really cool - but even at 100 micron resolution I'm hesitant that it can match the detail and quality of where resin casting and styrene molding are at today. Still...matter of time.
Short term, I see enterprising aftermarket companies moving to these for certain items. I could see vacform kits and even aspects of resin kits becoming things of the past. Then high-detail items like tires and bangseats and such as the resolution improves further still.
I could see hobby shops (online and physical) buying these and printing kits on demand. Probably deep catalog kits at first. I could see the actual manufacturers investing in the industrial variety that kick the pants of the makerbot and basically abandoning injection molding within 15 years.
All fascinating stuff that makes me want to go out and learn AutoCAD...
On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2
On Deck: 1/350 HMS Dreadnought
Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com
No...
I agree with Doogs! If anything, it's a great leap forward. How could it not be better than home molding? I'd say the possibilities are limitless for our hobby.
Why would it kill it off? If anything 3D printing will be a massive leap forward for the hobby. MUCH more cost-effective than doing up styrene molds, especially for limited run subjects. I can see huge ramifications for aftermarket and then for distribution as things mature.
I actually just came across this earlier today - granted this guy contracted out to a 3D printing company with a multi-hundred-thousand dollar machine, but look at this stuff.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1348148756/Updating+my+Bronco+H39+-+2012+style
I'd just like to see what you guys think about if this type of technology has the ability to kill off home-molding as an art form?
http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/19/makerbot-releases-the-2199-replicator-2-0-a-leap-forward-in-home-3d-printing/
~ Stephen ~
@Stephen_Social
[A homegrown product of Northeast Ohio]
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