Spec me a 3d printer

Minusorange

Minusorange

Minusorange

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25 Nov 2005
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Needs to be big enough to print a PC side panel so either 80cm square base or ability to print to about 80cm height and have a good finish/accuracy, preferably ability to use polycarbonate or nylon910 filament and good reliability
 
None of your standard 3D printers are going to be able to do what you want unless you print it in parts and join them - build volumes aren’t big enough.

For a good finish, almost regardless of how good a printer you get below £3K mark, you’ll likely need to fill/sand down any surface anyway and as such printing in separate parts and joining is less of an issue given the amount of post print processing you might have to do.

If I was doing what you’re doing I’d be laser cutting sheets of plastic, layering them where appropriate to get the 3D surface I assume you’re wanting, then 3D printing and sticking on the additional parts that can’t recreated with simple layers of plastic.

Before you even buy anything post the 3D model you’ve created that you want create and we might be able to suggest how to tackle it.
 
RoyMi6 said:
Before you even buy anything post the 3D model you’ve created that you want create and we might be able to suggest how to tackle it.
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I guess I need to do some research into it then, I was kinda hoping it would be as simple as get 3d printer, make design for 6 sides of a case, print off 6 sides and put them together to make a whole case, this addition of laser cutters makes it seem more complicated than originally envisioned
 
80x80cm is pretty massive build for a 3d printer - we have 4 printers at work, ranging in cost, and even our £70k unit with (what we think is a pretty decent build size) isn't this large.

But, I guess it depends your budget, as you've not specified... I guess, if you're wanting to spend many k, then I guess you might get lucky...

Ultimately fine detail and a good finish means lots of small layers, this does not go hand in hand with large builds, so a combination of both will be v expensive.

as an example - to get that kind build size, you're probably looking at something like https://www.aniwaa.com/product/3d-printers/stratasys-fortus-900mc/ - so, it looks about £250k. Now, I'm guessing that's not your budget, but who knows?!?


for cheaper options, as a comparison, I've just seen this list: https://www.aniwaa.com/best-desktop-3d-printers-large-build-volume/ - but, 80x80cm is above all their limits... to get an idea of what you're asking
 
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DereksDontRun said:
80x80cm is pretty massive build for a 3d printer - we have 4 printers at work, ranging in cost, and even our £70k unit with (what we think is a pretty decent build size) isn't this large.

But, I guess it depends your budget, as you've not specified... I guess, if you're wanting to spend many k, then I guess you might get lucky...

Ultimately fine detail and a good finish means lots of small layers, this does not go hand in hand with large builds, so a combination of both will be v expensive.

as an example - to get that kind build size, you're probably looking at something like https://www.aniwaa.com/product/3d-printers/stratasys-fortus-900mc/ - so, it looks about £250k. Now, I'm guessing that's not your budget, but who knows?!?


for cheaper options, as a comparison, I've just seen this list: https://www.aniwaa.com/best-desktop-3d-printers-large-build-volume/ - but, 80x80cm is above all their limits... to get an idea of what you're asking
Click to expand...

So it seems better option is to go for steel sheets and laser cutter over 3d printer ?

Or even cheaper option, build wooden cases out of oak/mahogany etc ?

I guess that scuppers my case building empire dreams, I mean wood would be okay but very limiting in design variation certainly not as much design variety potential as metal or 3printed
 
Minusorange said:
So it seems better option is to go for steel sheets and laser cutter over 3d printer ?

Or even cheaper option, build wooden cases out of oak/mahogany etc ?

I guess that scuppers my case building empire dreams, I mean wood would be okay but very limiting in design variation certainly not as much design variety potential as metal or 3printed
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Neither being built out of metal or 3D printed are any kind of significant reason that you can't create something amazing out of wood.

Wood can be precision/laser cut and engraved just like metal or plastic, even layering laser cut slices of wood could create intricate 3D models (3D printing is just a layer by layer process) to create complete unique and impossible looking designs.

It seems like you need to generally just get a better understanding of the tools and techniques used in common manufacturing before you get started.

I love 3D printing, but knowing its limitations is as important as anything else. For everything it improves it also has it's own unique problems.

Honestly, no matter what you want to build, or how you want to build it, likely a good starting place is designing it in 3D.

If you can do that bit then reach out to people once you're at that stage to get a better understanding of how you might build it.

OR...

Build cases for Mini-ITX boards instead of full sized ones - then 3D print to your hearts content with something like a Prusa I3 MK3 (£799 for a kit) or something based on it's open source design like the Wanhao I3 (£340 fully assembled)

Note... you're still going to have to 3D model something to 3D print it... and I still suggest you look into laser cutting :)
 
Standard 3D printing you are going to be using probably 1.5Kg of filament just to print one panel at PC case size with good rigidity, etc. so it would quickly get expensive and heavy.
 
RoyMi6 said:
Note... you're still going to have to 3D model something to 3D print it... and I still suggest you look into laser cutting :)
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Cheers for the info, definitely something I'll look into more I was mainly thinking 3d printer would be beneficial not only for making modded case but also for any electronics I make but you're correct in that I have absolutely no idea when it comes to manufacturing/engineering, I can do the 3d designs providing they're not overly complex but there's always an option to outsource that to someone more capable like a professional 3d designer or even amateurs who are talented and want to get their names out there I guess.

The mini-ITX is a good shout, I'd never even considered it because I'm so used to full size but it could provide some interesting variety and offer some fun challenges for getting things to fit

I'm just at a general idea phase at the moment though with zero experience, I figured it would be easier to get a tool that can sort of do what I envision and go from there but it seems I need careful planning
 
Minusorange said:
So it seems better option is to go for steel sheets and laser cutter over 3d printer ?

Or even cheaper option, build wooden cases out of oak/mahogany etc ?

I guess that scuppers my case building empire dreams, I mean wood would be okay but very limiting in design variation certainly not as much design variety potential as metal or 3printed
Click to expand...
tbh, I think you might get more variety/options with wood, as it can be amazing with mixing woods, veneers and even other materials - but again, it's not going to be cheap, and to look good (whether 3d print, wood, Lego, paper mache or anything) requires experience/training so a lot of time, money and wastage spend learning the craft.

There's a reason why pc cases are typically sheet metal, it's easy to form, cut, design and assemble into something that doesn't look horrific... thin walls to reduce footprint and aid cooling/air-flow and mount components within, etc...

Saying all this, good on you for wanting something different, but there's a reason why someone hasn't redesigned a car to run on square wheels - if something is simple, cheap and works, then just stick with it, to a degree...
 
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