3D Printers . . .

[tpenfield]

One of my colleagues at work has recently bought a "3D Printer" for his use at home.

He can replicate all sorts of parts and objects in true-to-life form. It sounds like it would be great for re-making plastic parts to kids toys, etc . . . or even boat parts. . . you know the delicate ones that get broken or lost . . .

EDIT

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

Wish I could fit one in my budget

Have you seen this ?? Classic Bond car reappears in ‘Skyfall’ via 3D printing - New York Daily News

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

Ayuh,.... Printer,..?? Printing,..?? Pretty cool stuff,...

Is the actual process the spraying of plastics,..?? truly Amazin'...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

Ayuh,.... Printer,..?? Printing,..?? Pretty cool stuff,...

Is the actual process the spraying of plastics,..?? truly Amazin'...

Yup, little tiny plastic dots (instead of ink dots). This technology was once reserved for expensive prototyping of mechanical parts, etc.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

They're really cool to watch ... I haven't gotten to play with one yet, but we were lookin' at them here in the office. The "past-tense" verb came into play after we saw (again past-tense) the price tag. Yeeeouch!

Staples is test marketing a lower end (uses paper) version in Europe this coming year (ARTICLE HERE), and deploy before year end. We'll have to see if they make it to the U.S.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

I'm actually in the market for one. I'd be interested in the unit he's using.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

To go along with those 3D printers, you gotta have a 3D scanner.
Here is a couple of vids from Jay Lenos Garage, he uses them for making molds or programs for CNC machines for those parts that just don't exist anymore.

Jay Leno's Garage - Jay Leno?€™s 3D Printer Replaces Rusty Old Parts | Articles

3D Scanning Software | Video | Jay Lenos Garage | NBC

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

The 3d scanners work great for things that already exist, but if you want to do something new, any CAD package that outputs .stl format will drive most 3D printers.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

To go along with those 3D printers, you gotta have a 3D scanner...

The 3d scanners work great for things that already exist, but if you want to do something new, any CAD package that outputs .stl format will drive most 3D printers.

C'mon Don ... Illustrator today, AutoCAD tomorrow!

 

[Don S]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

C'mon Don ... Illustrator today, AutoCAD tomorrow!

Have TurboCad 9 (since it came out), never could get a handle on it. My old computer with minimum memory probably had a lot to do with it. Took hours to render anything. PS & IE are way more fun.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

Parametric Solid Modeling and Stereolithography we use it daily at work.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

Have TurboCad 9 (since it came out), never could get a handle on it. My old computer with minimum memory probably had a lot to do with it. Took hours to render anything. PS & IE are way more fun.

Interestingly, they're teaching Google Sketchup in many design schools now. Not a bad program, and seems relatively easy to learn. I don't know if it works with the printers or not (it's got a limited palette of files it can output).

 

[matt167]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

I don't think it directly output's to the printers, but I know that most paid CAD programs will read sketchup output files, so there is a way.

There was also an online CNC machining service. I have lost the link as I have switched and have redone all my OS's several times over since then. But you sent the CAD file, and they would machine what you needed. Prices were reasonable. Small parts ranged from $50-100 IIRC.

I have a free CAD program on my Linux box, but I haven't messed with it yet. Last CAD program I messed with was Autocad version '97 IIRC

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

You would have to have the ingredients of such a product other then plastic ..

I think its a good idea ... but not that worthy of manufacturing at this point.

Raw materials would have to come into play if you want a machine to put them together in a molecular way.

Dont expect this to start making plasma TVs or anything like that soon..

YD.

 

[mscher]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

The original laser printers were over $13,000.

The future of 3D printers ( I have heard) is to use metal, when needed, instead of plastic and eventually HUMAN TISSUE.

Replacement livers, anyone?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

The original laser printers were over $13,000.

The future of 3D printers ( I have heard) is to use metal, when needed, instead of plastic and eventually HUMAN TISSUE.

Replacement livers, anyone?

Do you have a link for that information ? ..

I dunno about 'metal' because there are various metals that are needed for every type of construction.

Plastics with 3d parts are not that rare.

Human tissue as being a part of 3d recycled program for other living organs .. hmm.. could be. But too many will be against this in Our lifetime.

Why not just deconstruct frogs or fish for our livers/hearts/lungs..

3D printers would need the basic elements to Construct Whatever its programmed to Make. Plus you have to Play God with DNA. Nothing would matter if you Construct a living Liver or Lung if its not DNA specified to the subject. The Body will reject it.

You cant take water and make it to a computer much less an organ that can be transplanted.

Basic elements are needed. We dont have the alchemy dynamics that turn water into wine .. or gold.

Dont get too much into 3D printing other then what it is. Its a plastic and lasers tech. Cool phones might be Custom to your arm .. or eye .. but its not gonna replace your eye or arm.

3D is cool .. but its not the Future or Anything other then marketing or some construction of things that we buy anyways.

Dont look to buy an arm for 20k anytime soon.

YD.

 

[mscher]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

Do you have a link for that information ? ..

I dunno about 'metal' because there are various metals that are needed for every type of construction.

Plastics with 3d parts are not that rare.

Human tissue as being a part of 3d recycled program for other living organs .. hmm.. could be. But too many will be against this in Our lifetime.

Why not just deconstruct frogs or fish for our livers/hearts/lungs..

3D printers would need the basic elements to Construct Whatever its programmed to Make. Plus you have to Play God with DNA. Nothing would matter if you Construct a living Liver or Lung if its not DNA specified to the subject. The Body will reject it.

You cant take water and make it to a computer much less an organ that can be transplanted.

Basic elements are needed. We dont have the alchemy dynamics that turn water into wine .. or gold.

Dont get too much into 3D printing other then what it is. Its a plastic and lasers tech. Cool phones might be Custom to your arm .. or eye .. but its not gonna replace your eye or arm.

3D is cool .. but its not the Future or Anything other then marketing or some construction of things that we buy anyways.

Dont look to buy an arm for 20k anytime soon.

YD.

"I dunno"

Your words, not mine.

You have never heard of a liver or lung transplant? Obviously, there is different DNA, involved.

2 seconds of google brought up multiple stories about creating functioning replacment organs with 3d printers - in the future of course. Many seem to think it's possible.

"This year, scientists have also developed 3D printing techniques that can be used to create human organs as well as the blood vessels that would connect them to the recipient and could one day solve the problem of organ donor shortages. "

The Reality of 3D-Printed Body Parts - Technology - The Atlantic Wire

When I worked for documenting imaging companies in the late 1980's, laser printers easily costs $13,000. Of course, this was before there was a such a thing as a HP Laserjet. The company had a CD burner that cost $5,000 and it was slow.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

C'mon Don ... Illustrator today, AutoCAD tomorrow!

I HATE Autocad, i use inventor right now, not perfectbut i like it. I don't think you can use different plastics on the printer, can you? The one we have at work is pretty brittle. I think Leno uses his to create a mold.

LK

 

[southkogs]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

I HATE Autocad, i use inventor right now, not perfectbut i like it.

I use IronCAD. I like the graphic interface better (being more artist than engineer), but as an engineering application I've not heard that people really like it.

I don't think you can use different plastics on the printer, can you? The one we have at work is pretty brittle. I think Leno uses his to create a mold.

My best understanding is that there are a couple of types of plastics/resin and paper that can be used. I think you're right about making molds with them too.

They're definitely not too far down the road yet, but they are starting to break into practicality.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 3D Printers . . .

"I dunno"

Your words, not mine.

You have never heard of a liver or lung transplant? Obviously, there is different DNA, involved.

2 seconds of google brought up multiple stories about creating functioning replacment organs with 3d printers - in the future of course. Many seem to think it's possible.

"This year, scientists have also developed 3D printing techniques that can be used to create human organs as well as the blood vessels that would connect them to the recipient and could one day solve the problem of organ donor shortages. "

The Reality of 3D-Printed Body Parts - Technology - The Atlantic Wire

When I worked for documenting imaging companies in the late 1980's, laser printers easily costs $13,000. Of course, this was before there was a such a thing as a HP Laserjet. The company had a CD burner that cost $5,000 and it was slow.

Yes .. but your not going to clone an arm with an inkjet .. or laser printer.

Sure you can replicate a sterile arm .. leg .. or womb .. but We cant replicate such things as a working DNA code into a Printogram.

Merry Christmas.

YD.