3D printers -

[Firefly625]

I am NOT a computer geek, a fairly capable user but that's it.... my brother on the other hand... well he is our FD and systems man. He wrote our companies operating system when our old citrix system needed updating, when he starts talking techy stuff my eyes glaze over.... It's just a good thing it is a family business as we couldn't afford his expertise!

any how, about a year ago he built himself a 3D printer.... Yup, I didn't have a clue what that was until he showed me... so basically it prints things. He now has a boat and he's been busy printing all sort of things for it, his shorepower connections box had a broken cover, the box he found was non standard size and a replacement new unit would be smaller than the current one so would leave a gap, so he designed and printed out a new cover.... his transom bathing ladder had lost a couple of the rubber grommets, he printed a couple of those out. His shroud covers had lost their tops so he printed out some replacement caps. Some bits he's been making you can find, but if you have the resource to manufacturer your own, why not. Also he saves all his designs, so if he ever needs another he just re-prints...

Its a weird world when you can print out things at home that you can't otherwise buy.... but its an brilliant resource to have.... especially for boaty bits on older boats that sometimes have odd sizes or you just cannot find...

 

[epervier]

James,

 

[Firefly625]

.... some people are soooo demanding.

 

[Whopper]

I saw an interview on Bloomberg this week which had an analyst talking about how these have come on in recent years. This isn't the link but gives an idea of the technology (http://www.bloomberg.com/video/94199547-villere-3d-printers-to-revolutionize-manufacturing.html). Massive price difference $1.5k - $900k. The guy on this week mentioned that $500k is where the real quality in these machines begins to be found!

 

[Firefly625]

His printer is set up at his home, so have not take a pic of that, but here is his shore-power connection cover he printed last night;

 

[medchaser]

These things are reallyyy cool. It's when they can print their own printers & sustain themselves we need to worry..

 

[epervier]

Cute stuff, have to say I went on youtube to find an example and it is very clever indeed, the vid I watched was with SS dust infused with bronze to make intricate seahorse door handles.

http://youtu.be/i6Px6RSL9Ac

 

[Firefly625]

...

These things are reallyyy cool. It's when they can print their own printers & sustain themselves we need to worry..

well indeed, many of the parts for my brothers 3D printer are produced by..... 3D printers...

 

[medchaser]

well indeed, many of the parts for my brothers 3D printer are produced by..... 3D printers...

The rise of the machines....

At least hopefully we'll all be safe in the water.

 

[rafiki_]

well indeed, many of the parts for my brothers 3D printer are produced by..... 3D printers...

What material does this use?

Very familiar with the process, and for developing new parts for the auto sector, but very few have the capabilityy of use other than a model, and the material properties can be a bit delicate.

 

[Firefly625]

What material does this use?

Very familiar with the process, and for developing new parts for the auto sector, but very few have the capabilityy of use other than a model, and the material properties can be a bit delicate.

he can print in a couple of different materials, in PLA or ABS, he can even get glow in the dark filament... now that would have some use in the marine world. I can tell you that the cover is pretty robust, seems about as robust as the original, but the great thing about it is if it breaks he can just re-print another.

 

[rafiki_]

he can print in a couple of different materials, in PLA or ABS, he can even get glow in the dark filament... now that would have some use in the marine world. I can tell you that the cover is pretty robust, seems about as robust as the original, but the great thing about it is if it breaks he can just re-print another.

Sounds good. ABS has a number of sensible uses, and should be fine. It is quite fascinating to watch this things "grow", as the printing develops.

 

[[2068]]

The first self-replicating machine?

IDIOTS - HAVE THEY NOT WATCHED TERMINATOR

http://www.reprap.org/wiki/RepRap

 

[bendyone]

Have a look here re boxes / screen mounts.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328981

 

[prv]

It's when they can print their own printers & sustain themselves we need to worry..

Already there. Though they still need human assistants to assemble their progeny

There's been a bit of a craze for them at work, with current owners offering to print the specialised parts for others to build their own. The done thing is that if someone else prints the parts for you then you must print at least one set for another person to build theirs, and so on.

Pete

 

[vas]

Nice kit slightly bleeding edge for a 1k 3d printer... got one a year ago (makerbot mk1) and its only managed to print for 10 mins... need to upgrade to printhead mk5
Rafiki these things use a 3mm dia pvc /polywhatever "thread" which a step motor pushes through a heated head with a minute hole so it comes out and is layed on top of one another.
Bought it to use it with the students since consumables are v.cheap compared to proper 3d printers.
Time to order this head then!

Cheers

V

 

[ShaunG]

The sled replicating reprap Is the way to go. I am desperately trying to find a way to justify the purchase of one..the large instrument display housing on the pbo thread was one way of justification..although I wonder if I could justify a £1200 shore power socket cover ( I might have to go and break mine in the dead of night though)

I would be really interested to know what printer was sea for te shore power cover, the resolution looks good contray to what others have said...I found out about the 3d printer show in London last weekend a day too late

 

[ShaunG]

On another note..finally manged my move to mercury...now on e pontoon in te middle..I will drop round and say hello next time..should be next weekend

 

[Anders_P42]

If I buy the £900k model, will it print a Princess 60?

 

[elton]

How does he create the 3D mathematical model needed to drive the printer?

I imagine he must have some fancy and expensive CAD software, and a CAD expert draughtsman or whatever they're called.