I got me 3D printer, awesome!

Oh yes i understand i wouldnt be able to get a copy of that software. Did you yourself learn via unversity/taught course? Im thinking of a change of career and this mix of computer/practical way has me thinking.
 
al4x said:
Oh yes i understand i wouldnt be able to get a copy of that software. Did you yourself learn via unversity/taught course? Im thinking of a change of career and this mix of computer/practical way has me thinking.
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I am a time served CNC Machinist, and done 4 years at college, 2D CAD was one of the modules. I taught myself PRO-E using books that were in the college in my spare time, and solidworks is pretty much the same in terms of the skills required! Not much of an opening for people who can just do CAD, they generally also want designers/engineers who do the CAD as they design the parts. Its certainly something I have never thought of doing though as a job to be honest! I quite like taking lumps of steel, stainless etc and turning them into differently shaped lumps of metal.
 
What printers have people brought and how much did they spend? I'm quite tempted to get one if there was something similar priced as the Solidoodle $500 but can't find many place in the uK selling 3D printers.
 
Ive bought the Up!Plus at ~£1700 it seems very impressive, and the results have been quick and very accurate. I was and still am tempted to purchase a RepRap Prusa Mendal kit, from my research these kits give a much larger build area, ability to upgrade to 2 or 3 heads, but, the accuracy and reliability doesnt seem to compete with the Up!... but now ive got 1 great working machine, making/upgrading parts for the kit would be possible.

Link to some bits ive printed.
 
I guess having a 3D printer depends on what you actually want to do with the stuff you print.

You could just get one for the lols, and print out stuff you find on thingverse.

I use mine for work in product design. I always have to make prototype, so sometimes I use it for jobs that my other tools can't do efficiently.

Sometimes it is just used to make some parts of products. I have made some fully working things with it, but in theory I could have lasered it.

Just recently I have been making up some motor - wheel shaft adapters, as the CAD is super simple and it is a few mins job. I could do it on the laser, but it will be a longer process as the sheets have to be glued etc. This will make them less strong.

The biggest part to any of these tools is what you get them to make.

The magic is in the design you make, not the output - that is just a facilitator. CAD is the key - be that 2D or 3D.

My Up Printer that started this thread is still used quite a bit, I am finding out the dos and don'ts of 3D printing.
 
joemo13 said:
Mind sharing some of them? I'm looking for a printer stiill, the ultimaker currently has my eye.
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My most valuable tip is don't print in the summer, cos along with all the rest of the PC gear the room gets very warm indeed!

Can't have the aircon or any fans on as the cold airflow can cause the print to warp!

Seriously to' the best way is to find out by playing with one. You soon start creating CAD that specifically fits your machines limits.
 
robgmun said:
These are under £1000 in PC World now, but the quality still isn't there yet.
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if depends what you want it for.

The quality is pretty darn good.
However as a commodity for the average household, they'll need to be far more than just plastic, they'll need laser sintering and cnc router etc all combines into one cheap unit. So still years away rim that.

As a hobby, tech nerd they're good.
Although still waiting for the parts. Worst people I've backed on kickstarter lack of updates and lack f response to questions. Good thing only backed the printed parts and not everything.
However at CES another company unveiled a fully assembled printer for just $499, although the quality is noticeably lower in the photos they showed, still that's a bargain price and not sure if to give up on the parts its only like $70 I would have wasted. Probably cost more than $500 for the rest of the parts.

http://www.tweaktown.com/news/34878...00-da-vinci-3d-printer-at-ces-2014/index.html
 
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I've yet to see any of these machines produce something I actually need.

Yoda? Resin/lead casting produces a finer reproduction
Spanner? Why the frack would anyone want a spanner made of ABS, it's retarded.

That leaves making those little bracket things that always break on cars, and frankly I can still buy those from Ford.


Someone give me an example of why these things are not pointless for a home user.
(I did see a useful reproduction of a snow structure that a scientist used to study avalanches)
 
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You Won't, as they're new and for hobbyists. Rather than normal home use. But they will come as the price drops, sintering is to expensive for home use atm.

Into rc cars/planes etc, just print off new parts/chassis for example.

Into making fiberglass or other models. Print out a mould, sand it down and on you go. Far easier than trying to carve the perfect mould.
 
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bitslice said:
Someone give me an example of why these things are not pointless for a home user.
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I would consider getting one for modelling. Folks in the US make model kits of subjects that Airfix and others would never make. Currently they're made of Resin and cost a bomb because of low production yields. If instead the designer just sells the data files and I print the parts at home it should be a heck of a lot cheaper for both parties involved
 
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