3D Printer Technology - Anyone using this tool?
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fivespdcat
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I've used these quite a bit at work. We use them for initial prototypes to test fitment befor putting in big $$$ orders. Sometimes, depending on the materials, the part can be used for a short period of time.
jeffmoss26
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They have one where I work. It allows them to mock up anything they design. Very cool!
Stuart in MN
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If you watch This Old House on PBS, the homeowner on their current project works for a place that does rapid prototyping using 3D printers. He built the little house model they often refer to on each episode.
Moose-LandTran
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57JoeFoMoPar
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I've used the rapid prototype machine when I was with the Formula SAE team at the University of Delaware. Not only were the parts good for mock-up and testing, we'd also use the 3-D printer to make molds for composite parts. Since the part it creates is made of wax, we'd vacuum bag carbon fiber over the prototype and allow it to cure. Once totally dry, we'd boil the part in water and melt the prototype, leaving only the carbon fiber part. Worked great
84scrambler
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I use one at work. Sometimes its used for prototyping big dollar items but mostly for fixturing air foils. I also have a sweet QC stamp/pen holder. Our machine wasn't cheap ($45k) but you can get something very usable for about $3k to mess around with.
These devices have limits. Internal moving parts aren't doable, though I say that with a grain of salt given the latest ones out there. If your blueprint/schematic has the detail in it the machines *can* do internal structures to some extent. It's remarkable what's possible with these things, though moving items like bearings and springs and such being printed in-place are out of reach at this moment-- however I can't speak to the ultra high end units.
This field has made some real strides, as someone said above there are even open source DIY kits for building your own:
http://www.apress.com/9781430234432
They printed a crescent wrench with no assembly required!!! And that crazy gear toy thing. If that is as far as the limitations ever got that is still mind blowing.
owdlvr
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merr6267
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Some Rapid prototype machines use what is called fused deposition modeling (FDM)
These simply lay down a small bead of plastic material one layer at a time (think welding wire) They also use a "support" material that is used to fill empty space areas in the part with a water soluble substrate. This material is what is used to make that Crescent wrench and the working gears. The components are laid down one layer at a time, and that soluble substrate is laid down between the moveable parts. When the model is complete, it goes in the tank and the substrate dissolves.
Of course, there are many other types of rapid machines. FDM is what I'm familiar with.
We have one at work for prototyping that basically rins 24/7.
Take care,
Phill
These simply lay down a small bead of plastic material one layer at a time (think welding wire) They also use a "support" material that is used to fill empty space areas in the part with a water soluble substrate. This material is what is used to make that Crescent wrench and the working gears. The components are laid down one layer at a time, and that soluble substrate is laid down between the moveable parts. When the model is complete, it goes in the tank and the substrate dissolves.
Of course, there are many other types of rapid machines. FDM is what I'm familiar with.
We have one at work for prototyping that basically rins 24/7.
Take care,
Phill
slopecarver
Well-known member
No NASA does not use them in space, No that crescent wrench wasn't even 5% as strong as a metal one. Yes they can currently do inside moving components.
There is a behind the scenes write-up for the video where they printed the wrench, It's 2am and I'm too tired to go find it but the scanned wrench model was not used as the source for the printed model. the printed model was a CAD model from scratch, not scanned but 3d scanning does exist and can be implemented in a 3d printing process, don't expect any internal geometry or very precise scans. You can do it too with pictures and a service like "123d catch" or "photosynth", google is your friend here guys.
There is a behind the scenes write-up for the video where they printed the wrench, It's 2am and I'm too tired to go find it but the scanned wrench model was not used as the source for the printed model. the printed model was a CAD model from scratch, not scanned but 3d scanning does exist and can be implemented in a 3d printing process, don't expect any internal geometry or very precise scans. You can do it too with pictures and a service like "123d catch" or "photosynth", google is your friend here guys.
Swan
Well-known member
Stereo lithographic printers and rapid prototyping are amazing technologies, but have limitations and are not like the "replicators" on science fictions shows. With CAD or NURBS programs you can produce simple, small and accurate 3D items for test fitting, duplication and/or casting. The final 3D product is very friable and you could not produce a usable tool. It is fine powder bound by microscopic dots of glue similar to Superglue. It will shatter if you drop it.
I used one in graduate school to replicate archaeological items scanned with a Minolta laser, X-Ray, CAT scans and/or STL files rendered in RHINO. (Of course the odd vintage motorcycle part was produced in the lab after hours...) Files can be send any where in the world. A scan of coin in Turkey or a jawbone scanned in South African can be sent yo my lab and replicated within 1/10th of a mm in accuracy. The down side of this technology is parts can be created domestically and then files sent electronically to China or elsewhere to be produced on the cheap.
I wish I had the time and access to a STL printer so I could work up some vintage and custom motorcycle parts for casting.
I used one in graduate school to replicate archaeological items scanned with a Minolta laser, X-Ray, CAT scans and/or STL files rendered in RHINO. (Of course the odd vintage motorcycle part was produced in the lab after hours...) Files can be send any where in the world. A scan of coin in Turkey or a jawbone scanned in South African can be sent yo my lab and replicated within 1/10th of a mm in accuracy. The down side of this technology is parts can be created domestically and then files sent electronically to China or elsewhere to be produced on the cheap.
I wish I had the time and access to a STL printer so I could work up some vintage and custom motorcycle parts for casting.
Outlander
Well-known member
In a former life I was responsible for preparing STL files from CAD models, and distributing them to specialist companies for rapid prototyping. In those days, the material was toxic, the machines were too expensive to own (and I worked for a large aerospace company) and complex parts were difficult, at best. As with all technology, we've come a long way. Now...if only I could get my replicator to produce my lunch, I wouldn't be so hungry 