3D printers -

Anders_P42 said:
If I buy the £900k model, will it print a Princess 60? :D
Click to expand...
yes if you find a way to weld solidly together 100X100X100mm pieces (that's the typical size it produces...)

elton said:
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.
Click to expand...
STL files are needed, you can get them from various s/w, yes you can use 3-10K worth of s/w but the whole idea of RepRap/makerbot the lot is opensource.
So you don't need to buy anything than the machine and a roll of ABS. Blender is perfect for the job and checking at a few tutorials (especially video tutorials from youtube) can get you going quick. I'm teaching that stuff to second year students and I've been trying it first on my 11yo son and his friends...

V.
 
Would make light work of a new instrument dashboard, o cutting out, filling, fairing, just print out the complete shape :cool:

Except Mrs Kipper would say "how much!"
 
I will try and get my brother to answer the techy questions....

but just for now I will have a go....

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.
Click to expand...

he is an open source convert, has been for years and so I imagine the cad designs are done on open source software so I doubt there was any cost there....

of course cad design is another aspect of 3D printing, you need to tell the thing what to print!

Would make light work of a new instrument dashboard, o cutting out, filling, fairing, just print out the complete shape

Except Mrs Kipper would say "how much!"
Click to expand...

indeed, just the sort of job it would be capable of, you can get different coloured filament... as for cost, you can buy off the shelf, my brother made his from a kit, but litteraly he was soldering components on a computer board etc.... for him that was half the fun:confused: but to be honest I have no idea
 
Last edited:
Very interesting stuff, my hat is off to your brother, he is obviously a very clever person if he can build his own 3d printer.

There was an article on BBC news earlier this week that a guy in a Glasgow University is using one to build insoles and supports for people with painful conditions like arthritis. My own 15 yr old daughter has suffered this condition for 9 yrs and would perhaps benefit from this type of technology. I admire people who spend their time developing these machines, many people will benefit in the long run.
 
Firefly625 said:
he is an open source convert, has been for years and so I imagine the cad designs are done on open source software so I doubt there was any cost there....
Click to expand...
Just as well no one gets the idea these 3D printers are like Star Trek replicators, where you just speak into it and it spits out a new pair of Reebok trainers twenty minutes later.

CAD design isn't a triviality, even if the software is free.

Someone needs to invent a cheap 3D scanner.
 
nigelmercier said:
I'm quite impressed with the quality of the result, what kit was it. Did he have to polish the part to get the sheen?

But how could he print out a prominent new boat part and not take the opportunity to emboss the boat name on it.
Click to expand...


The face of the cover is printed on a heated bed so it comes out shiny. When I tell him he should have added his boat name I reckon he might re-print ....
 
Firefly625 said:
The face of the cover is printed on a heated bed so it comes out shiny. When I tell him he should have added his boat name I reckon he might re-print ....
Click to expand...

no he wont be able to do it I'm afraid :(

It is built as a layer by layer with the head moving up on each layer (or rather the built platform is moving down)
Now, in this process it is obvious that you can only lay material on other material and not on thin air. Hence all these 3d printers have an inbuilt problem of doing projections (i.e. built outside existing built material footprint) to a slope of more than 60degrees or so.
That's where you start thinking of the 20K models with 0.5K per kilo consumables... :rolleyes:

Or a nice 4D milling machine for 20K again :(

V.
 
vas said:
no he wont be able to do it I'm afraid :(

It is built as a layer by layer with the head moving up on each layer (or rather the built platform is moving down)
Now, in this process it is obvious that you can only lay material on other material and not on thin air. Hence all these 3d printers have an inbuilt problem of doing projections (i.e. built outside existing built material footprint) to a slope of more than 60degrees or so.
That's where you start thinking of the 20K models with 0.5K per kilo consumables... :rolleyes:

Or a nice 4D milling machine for 20K again :(

V.
Click to expand...

He could recess them.... but I really don't think he will worry about it... indeed raised lettering would not be possible.
 
Last edited:
Hi all - I use rapid prototyping (aka 3D printing) almost daily for prototyping at work. Amazing technology - my use normally is SLS (selective laser sintering - uses nylon powder) but believe it or not, it seems now from the company I use (www.3trpd.co.uk) that you can '3D Print' in metals such as stainless 316!! (http://www.3trpd.co.uk/dmls/dmls-materials.htm).

Think these machines are in a different league to cheap stuff - and can achieve tolerances normally better than +\- 0.3mm.

Wish I had the funds to buy one of these!
:)
 
Last edited:
nigelmercier said:
I'm quite impressed with the quality of the result, what kit was it.
Click to expand...

I have replied, to the thread as a whole, but my reply has been held up in moderation, maybe as it is my first post, or perhaps because I included URLs. Hopefully this reply will come through quicker.

Anyhow, the printer is a RepRap Prusa Mendel. The smooth side is caused by the heated bed, which is designed to melt the first layer slightly in order to get a good adhesion.

The print quality can be improved, I have seen remarkable print quality from identical RepRaps, but it does depend how long you are willing to spend on calibration.
--
Chris
 
Can you ask your brother what materials did he use in his 3D printed boat? I’ve been itching to create one for my son, but just a mini 3D printed boat. I hope my 3d2print’s nylon filaments are enough for this project. PLA would definitely brittle; I’m not sure if ABS will also be a good material for this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top