Practical uses for 3d printer
- Thread starter mopar4u
- Start date
zc15
Well-known member
Wrench organizers. Not my picture, but I made about 80 of them. They take about an hour each
LeonardY
Well-known member
I use mine to print up all types of stuff. Toys for the kids. I printed some webbing buckles last week.
Right now, I'm printing the 3rd iteration of a pencil scribe.
I also use it to print workholding fixtures for my CNC mill.
Do you know 3D modeling? That's important.
I have a Qidi X-MAX.
Right now, I'm printing the 3rd iteration of a pencil scribe.
I also use it to print workholding fixtures for my CNC mill.
Do you know 3D modeling? That's important.
I have a Qidi X-MAX.
ArcReactorKC
Well-known member
I find it interesting how many replies say that PLA is brittle. I have to ask what temperatures are you guys printing at?
I go through multiple kg of inland high temp pla a month and am usually printing around 225c on the hotend and my PLA prints are quite durable. I still will move to ASA, PEKK, or even Nylon for something that needs impact resistance though.
I go through multiple kg of inland high temp pla a month and am usually printing around 225c on the hotend and my PLA prints are quite durable. I still will move to ASA, PEKK, or even Nylon for something that needs impact resistance though.
Things I have made for the shop.
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D Printed Tools by bjohnson388, on Flickr
2021 Model Work area by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D printed Ridgid Battery holder by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D printed Ridgid Battery holder by bjohnson388, on Flickr
20210927_154544 by bjohnson388, on Flickr
3D printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr
I have had mine running 24/7 for the month and half I have had it. I go through about a spool and a half of PLA each week.
Bret
3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D Printed Tools by bjohnson388, on Flickr2021 Model Work area by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D Printing by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D printed Ridgid Battery holder by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D printed Ridgid Battery holder by bjohnson388, on Flickr20210927_154544 by bjohnson388, on Flickr3D printing by bjohnson388, on FlickrI have had mine running 24/7 for the month and half I have had it. I go through about a spool and a half of PLA each week.
Bret
niget2002
Well-known member
I've found PLA gets brittle over time. It's not the print temperature, but more about temperature fluctuations after the fact.
I also have issues with rolls of PLA that I keep in the shop. The hot/cold cycling between summer and winter causes the PLA to snap easily when feeding through the printer. Some colors of filament I don't go through as fast as others. I also tend to 3d print stuff in spurts. I might go a few months without printing anything, and then suddenly have the printer running 24x7 for a month. It really depends on the projects I have going on.
In a more temperature controlled environment I've had less of this issue.
I still print stuff in ABS a lot if it's going to be near/around a lot of moisture... Aquarium stuff mostly.
vavet
Well-known member
If BJ's post doesn't inspire you, then nothing else will. This guy is doing it right...and really...who doesn't love a BJ?
The holder and jar opener for the testors paint is awesome!
Max78
Well-known member
PLA is brittle comparing to most other materials, that is not to say its fragile. Think of hardened steel vs hot rolled steel. My PLA parts and pieces have taken plenty of abuse, but when they fail, they break. The PETG parts I have made wont hold the same amount of force because they start to bend or flex before that point.
PLA is great, but needs to be used for the correct application. The sun and heat will destroy the parts really quick. I made a cup holder for a friend in the very beginning. I made the first one out of PLA, it cracked a couple spots where it was mounted and then melted in the summer, I made that same exact cup holder in PETG and it just deformed a little when mounted and is still going strong 4 years later!
formula388
Well-known member
I have been working with 3D printers for 12 years and only recently have they been available to nearly anyone. With that being said I have access to $30k printers and $200 printers and many in between. In the low end range are the anycubic and ender, if you can spring for it the prusa mini or prusa full size is significantly higher in quality and quieter with noise. You will not be disappointed with a prusa purchase it is the only one I now recommend to friends looking to get into printing.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
We just moved to a new house and have lots of places to put whimsical sculptures. I've been wanting to ZBrush some fun things that look serious until you get close. Paint them to look like stone. Basically stuff that doesn't immediately affect property values in the area until you get close. 
Endless amounts of fun, I suspect.
We've got the way-too-expensive $100K 3D Printer at Ohio University. The care and feeding of the thing means that the powers that be have priced themselves out of most of the jobs. Even internal users can't afford to use the thing. Engineering class wants to print their semester project. Arm and leg.... from every student.
We've been able to sell a few projects at my paleo/anatomy day job. This is one we did for an exhibit at The Museum of the Rockies:
-Ryan
Endless amounts of fun, I suspect.We've got the way-too-expensive $100K 3D Printer at Ohio University. The care and feeding of the thing means that the powers that be have priced themselves out of most of the jobs. Even internal users can't afford to use the thing. Engineering class wants to print their semester project. Arm and leg.... from every student.
We've been able to sell a few projects at my paleo/anatomy day job. This is one we did for an exhibit at The Museum of the Rockies:
-Ryan
Not to nag, because I know we're all busy and even I forgot about this request, but did you happen upon any other pics of this setup? If not, no worries.
4 FN 27
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'll see what I can come up with over the weekend...too many irons in the fire...
I completely understand, I'm in no hurry on my end.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
I've got the Ender 3 Pro and Monoprice Mini III. Both dandy. Both taking a vacation while I finish the stairs. Yes, you can make useful stuff with them.
My first project was a multi part Chrysler shift knob, printed in one piece, that paid for the Monoprice in that one print.
Another project was a series of unobtainium dust collection parts. They paid for the Ender and the Monoprice.
The last big print I did was the drum clock.
I've also pumped a ton of little stuff through them as well.
I do all my CAD on FreeCAD running on Ubuntu. I like Cura for my slicer.
My first project was a multi part Chrysler shift knob, printed in one piece, that paid for the Monoprice in that one print.
Another project was a series of unobtainium dust collection parts. They paid for the Ender and the Monoprice.
The last big print I did was the drum clock.
I've also pumped a ton of little stuff through them as well.
I do all my CAD on FreeCAD running on Ubuntu. I like Cura for my slicer.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
We’ve used stereo lithography at work since about 1984, back when a quarter million would get you a basic machine. Still use it in one of the shops, but now have a couple of high end FDM units to print prototype tools and safety locks and switch spacers that are easily broken. A couple of our engineers have been involved with a USAF team working on printing flight rated titanium parts.