3D Printers

Cool thanks for everyones comments !

Even if we don't personally own one there are alternatives.

We've been looking into one at work for quite some time. We found that our greatest obstacle was a qualified operator.  Out of hundreds of employees only a few had real CAD experience and the 3D apps that we use were graphic design based and their file formats were useless to 3D printers.  We're a seasonal company and simply can not hire somebody to do very specific work for a month or two and then have them sit idle for the rest of the year. 

That being said...

Most of the 3D vendors suggested using third party designers at first to get a library of images going and at the same time, start training a few graphic designers on 3D apps so that they can take over and modify the files in the library.

One vendor even has a new facility here in Memphis which has several 3D printers and operators that they will hire out to do jobs for you.  They're not cheap but if you used them to make a prototype of a product that you sold and made thousand$ on it it would be worth it.  If you just need one wheel for your 1/25 Mustang... probably not.

Unfortunatly for me, a committee has been formed to review any future 3D printer purchase.  So in other words...  we ain't gettin one.  

Spruce - Check out OnShape.

 

 

It figures.  

OTOH..............something to learn about on-line. 

Student edition Catia V5? 

http://academy.3ds.com/software/catia/catia-v5-student-edition/

Does anything I learn from using Solid Works transfer over to it?

Dunno about NX9/10 unless I actually do tool and die, though...

 

I use Catia V5 and NX9/10 at work, however these are not priced for home use.

hogfanfs

......... I already have access to a couple different CAD softwares.

Eventually, I will look to purchase a 3D printer. Just waiting for a good price point to get the OK from the better half. I already have access to a couple different CAD softwares.

The founder of OnShape used to be CEO of Solidworks, he spoke at OSMM a few weeks ago about OnShape. Many of the OnShape programmers were the original Solidworks crew. If anyone is near Providence, I'd like to invite you to an OSMM meeting. Five of our members had articles in the 3d printing issue of Make mentioned above, and the digital fabrication editor for Make is one of the OSMM founding members. We have over a dozen 3D printers of various sizes and types available for members, and a constant parade of cool technology as review copies of things for Make come and go (we currently have a ShopBot, a CrawlBot, and an Epilog Zing in for review). As far as cost, if you're the DIY type, you can build a decent 3D printer for under $750. My MendelMax 1.5 clone cost right at $600, but we ordered enough to build ten of them, so we got a price break on some of the more expensive parts. If you're good at CAD, but don't have a printer, there are people who will (for a fee) print it for you and mail it.

Loydb

They are absolutely going to affect the hobby. A bunch of us at my hackerspace (Ocean State Maker Mill) built MendelMax clones, I'm already thinking of how I can use mine. The combination of free pro-level CAD (OnShape) and 3D printing makes resin look passe.

I am definitely going to try some other 3D modeling programs as I gain experience.

I am just starting out learning SolidWorks but that software is not , in any way shape or form , affordable for personal use.

Thanks for mentioning OnShape.

 

Oh I agree it is expensive.

As I stated earlier, 3D printing must be able competitive in cost with home resin casting.

If someone wants to design his own aftermarket parts,  owning a computer fast enough to run the 3D software is necessary. 

I just built a new computer to run 3D software; parts cost roughly $1,300.00 not including the 64 bit operating system. A pre-built computer would have cost me at least $3,000.00. The 3D modeling software cost is still an unknown factor for me as new 3D modeling software is created and sold as the hobby expands.

Even if the hobbyist can afford the cost of a 3D printing machine and materials, 

the deal breaker for most may be that owning a 3D printer is only worthwhile for those who can design their own aftermarket items on a home computer.

To my knowledge, the majority of those who do use 3D modeling software are usually designing their personal model parts at work using the company computer.

The time factor required to print an object does not, in my opinion , make much difference as I can sit at my bench and work on another model.

 

Having a chance to see a 3D printer in action at a local Barnes & Nobles store this past fall, a couple things came to mind. 

While it is a cool machinery to have but it is time consuming and expensive (printer and materials), it takes about 20 minutes to create a simple 1 inch pumpkin and at least 4 hours or more to create say a 6 inch Eiffel Tower or rocket ship.

Is it worth it? For me, no.

 

They are absolutely going to affect the hobby. A bunch of us at my hackerspace (Ocean State Maker Mill) built MendelMax clones, I'm already thinking of how I can use mine. The combination of free pro-level CAD (OnShape) and 3D printing makes resin look passe.

 

A number of factors will most likely apply.

1- Types of materials available for making 3D printed items.

2- Increased resolution capable of producing small , quality items that can compete with        resin aftermarket items. 3D printers would need to supplant resin casting as a home hobbyist's primary, economical choice in making multiple copies of model parts.

.

Finally, and most importantly:

3- Will modelers be allowed to own such printers?

The current controversy about drones in civilain ownership is, basically, centered around what someone might do with his drone.

A 3D printer could be used to make a drone.

The armed drone in a video posted on ( You Tube?) was supposed to have been made by the person who mounted the pistol on it. I am not impressed by the video. Predictably, the drone yaws in-flight ; recoil shoves the drone back and down. I would sum it up as a Fail.

Also, a video was posted some years ago of a 3D printed smooth bore zip gun that supposedly fired a small caliber bullet.

Since that time, some politicians have been pushing for a ban on civilian ownership of 3D printers because someone else "might" make a gun.

Dunno about anyone else, but  I would NOT trust my life to an explosive charge that is detonated inside a plastic tube.

Discuss.

 

Dang! wish they'd fix that spell checker. 

Have a nice day ! 

BTW........FWIW, MAKE magazine's Ultimate guide to Desktop Fabrication ; 39 machines tested and Reviewed 

is on the news stands now.

A fun read