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CHP posted this link in my something to doodle with thread.

http://www.structur3d.io/#discov3ry
This is touted as a major discovery.
In fact people have been exploring and building and trying to sell a variety of 3-d printers.

Form fill filament is just one technology.

another technology is using an injet printer to print a binder on plaster powder one layer at a time then dipping the part in Ca or epoxy to finish it.

SLS selective laser sintering uses powdered metal as a base and a high power laser melts the selected are together.

STL stereo lithography uses a laser to selectively cure a liquid polymer. Or turn the monomer into a polymer. though selective heating.

the paste extrusion method above is another viable option.
there is company in England selling a 3D printer for decorating cakes and other food.
I see a future with refrigerated 3d printers and chilled bed plates for printing chocolate and Ice cream.


I see numerous articles of 3-d printed organs and body parts still experimental but there could be a future of 3d printed organs for transplant.

NASA and GE are using the technologies to make metal parts for the aerospace industry.

The one caravat is sometimes it is hard to separate the true breakthroughs from the dreams the hype and the gadgets.

So more than one technology competing and complementing,like I said earlier in the toddler stage. What will it look like when it grows up. will it thrive or fail.

IMHO a lot of R & D is going into this. So an ever changing landscape I think 3-d pringing will be a big part of manufacturing in the future. And like computers the applications are near endless.
Tin
 
Well folks with over a hundred posts to this thread and over 6000 reads I decided to keep this thread alive.
And I intend to post information pertinent to home shop 3d printing and info that may help someone choose or use a 3d printer.

One of the really nice add ons or features of the better 3d printers is stand alone printing. the bad news is this not a feature to be found on a printer with a price tag below about $700 . Some printers that are open source can easily be upgraded with off the shelf add ons to give a small led display and an sd card slot.

The other advantage to stand alone is that motion control benefits form a dedicated computer. laptops and even desktop computers that are on the net and multitasking can interrupt motion control.

So the good news is that With inexpensive off the shelf components I can add stand alone printing /remote control/remote /monitoring to my 3d printer .
So the list of needed items:

1) raspberry Pi model B or B+
1) case for pi
1) 5v usb power supply with usb to micro usb power cable
1) TV or monitor with HDMI input 1) Hdmi Cable
1) Wireless or usb keyboard and mouse
1) powered USB HUb
1) class 10 (recommended) SD card or micro card depending on rpi model
1) web cam
1) wireless dongle or wired Ethernet connection for the printer.
1) last but not least a copy of the octoprint program to run things open source software. http://octoprint.org/

The great news is I have most of the things on the above list.

FYI It seems this software will work on a beagle bones black as well but the Pi seems more popular and easier to set up and I own a raspberry pi that is not getting much use.

Tin
 
Using a Pi is not really standalone, its just using different computer. Most of the printer board based on arduino boards can have a graphics pannel added to make it a real standalone. The graphics boards are under $20 and should just plug into the arduino, unless other wires or connectors interfere. Then you just load an SD card with the file, plug that into the board and go.

RAMPS is one of the most common control boards. Here was the first link google found for a full kit, with the graphics card. I'm sure some digging will find the graphics card alone.
 
Back to what can I make with a 3d printer?

here is a cool answer . How a bout one of these. The below photo a scale model of a Ducati 1199

03-ducati02-1024x682.jpg


IMG_20140527_042926-1024x576.jpg


Lots more photos here:

http://www.redicubricks.com/3d-printed-ducati-1199-superbike-on-the-ultimaker/




The other question I get is how strong are the parts .

The answer depends on the material used to print

ABS not particularly strong but is stable withstands heats fairly well for a thermal plastic
PLA a lot stronger but can warp in the heat of a hot car in summer and will biodegrade in the heat moisture of a composter.
In a nutshell the early popular materials are not the best for real functional parts.

colorfab XT was developed to change this.
made with Eastman Amphora 3D Polymer it is a tough ,strong material that is temperature resistant chemical resistance, fda aproved for food contact styrene and PBA free and low odor in processing.

With all the material options available nylons, elostomers' cabon fiber ....
yes one can print functional parts.

For anyone wanting to build this model the STL files are HERE https://www.youmagine.com/designs/ducati-1199-superbike-complex#!design-documents





Tin
 
Using a Pi is not really standalone, its just using different computer. Most of the printer board based on arduino boards can have a graphics pannel added to make it a real standalone. The graphics boards are under $20 and should just plug into the arduino, unless other wires or connectors interfere. Then you just load an SD card with the file, plug that into the board and go.

I have the SD4 not sure what board it uses do not think it is ramps. I have heard there is actually an sd slot in there not sure if there is a connector for a display and controller. Have not taken the cover off to look .

I suppose I could use the pi and access it with a cheap wifi tablet.


Tin
 
Sept 28 went to the http://enablingthefuture.org/ 3d printed Prosthetic conference amazing things happening. Anyone with skills can join, a 3d printer helpful. Met many great folks and drooled on the Ultimakers on display.

Dremel has anounced a 3d printer. http://3dprinter.dremel.com/ it is a relabel/ remix of the flash forge dreamer. These will be sold though home depot and amazon to start with.
 
OK the newest or one of the newest models from Soliidoodle is the "PRESS" ok as in printing press but I took print shop in high school and know a printing press makes an impression by pressing the ink covered letters or the print roller against the paper. This machine forms a 3D image by extuding or squirting molten plastic first on the print bed then on the previous layer. SOO should this not be called the Squirt ??? Hmm just sayin'.


And I am still pondering my own build.
And I found this e-bay seller http://stores.ebay.com/folgertechnologiesllc/_i.html?rt=nc&_pgn=2&_ipg=48
That I may start picking up parts from.

And another answer to the question what practical use does a 3D printer have look here. A guy using it to make Printed circuit boards.
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20141031-3d-print-yourself-an-affordable-and-flexible-circuit-board.html
Tin
 
Im window shoppiing for a 3d printer right now. Im particulary interested in the sla printers for thier high resolution. This one in particular has really cought my eye http://www.fsl3d.com/
Ive been researching and im not quite sure if I want to push the button on one just yet. All the sla printers seem to be haveing some troubles when it comes to larger prints. FSL3d is working on a new "super vat" that will do away with the pdms layer. Maybe once they get a few out there and I see some feed back I will push the button, but for now I think my best option is to sit back and wait for the technology to improve.
 
Seem like a lot of new offerings on the sla printers and cheaper than some of the higher end consumer filament machines. I have been looking for deals on a flashforge but so far all the ones I have seen are more than I want to spend right now. I am still thinking about building from scratch. and am having a bit of a love hate relationship with the solidoodle 4 . Some days frustrated with it other days I have fun with it. So for now hanging in and moving forward.
Tin.
 
For anyone who has read though this thread or at least read the beginning you know one of the first 3d printers to catch my eye was the xyz Davinci.
These are a popular unit in the $500 range. and they certainly have there quirks.
If anyone out there is thinking of buying one I suggest you go to you tube and watch this guys videos.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsdc_0ZTXikARFEn2dRDJhg

IMHO a realistic view of what to expect from a . DaVinci. Apparently a capable machine if you are willing to learn tune make some easy fixes and learn the limits of the machine.
Tin
 
Im window shoppiing for a 3d printer right now. Im particulary interested in the sla printers for thier high resolution. This one in particular has really cought my eye http://www.fsl3d.com/
Interesting machine. It is nice that hardware costs are dropping but sadly the resins are a killer. The resins are hazardous too in most cases.
Ive been researching and im not quite sure if I want to push the button on one just yet. All the sla printers seem to be haveing some troubles when it comes to larger prints. FSL3d is working on a new "super vat" that will do away with the pdms layer. Maybe once they get a few out there and I see some feed back I will push the button, but for now I think my best option is to sit back and wait for the technology to improve.


If the tech improves at the same rate FDM printer have you likely will have a short wait.
 
Remember in one of the early posts of this thread I made an offhand comment about mounting a hotend/extuder to the spindle of my mill.

Somebody has done it.





http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150...ills-into-3d-printers-now-on-kickstarter.html



Still do not regret getting a standalone machine.

Tin


You are likely far better off with a standalone machine simply due to wear on the ways/bearings. That and 3D printers like to go really fast. Of course for light use on small items this approach would be OK.
 
I finally broke down and bought a 3D printer. After looking thru way too many options, I ended up with a demo model of the Lulzbot Mini. This was based on good reviews, high-resolution printing, self-calibrating/leveling, self-cleaning, multiple material options, and open-source design and software. (You can even go to their site and download all the info and STL files needed to build your own if you choose to go that way.)

Just purchased last night, so I'll have to follow up with what I end up with when it arrives.

Second runner up was the Maker's Tool Works MiniMax kit (as the MendelMax 3 is out of my price range.) Both look like outstanding printers that will stay accurate for a long time. www.makerstoolworks.com

I still love the elegance of the Delta designs and may eventually build one of those as well.

For now, I plan to print masters for my foundry patterns with it.

Todd.

Littlelocos Model Engineering


These two are workhorses currently on eBay. (Also runner-ups in my search over the weekend.)
Lulzbot TAZ 3 (refurb from a dealer) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lulzbot-TAZ-3-3D-Printer-/301752284942?hash=item4641d6770e

Lulzbot AO-101 (purchased and lost interest) A swarm of these can be seen on the Lulzbot headquarters tour video on YouTube, making bots.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lulzbot-AO-101-3D-Printer-/121772749644?hash=item1c5a38b34c
 

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