Hello all ..

So I am finally going forward with the longstanding interest of 3D printer.

Wondering what experience everyone has and any recommendations.

This is for some basic proto-typing and object creation.

I read about the MakerBot Replicator (http://store.makerbot.com/replicator-404.html) in Wired - but am wondering trying to do a little more research!

I'd obviously like it to be as large and diversified as possible, while keeping the price under $3,000 USD.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

I was just checking the website on the Cubify :)

Slightly less expensive - but a smaller footprint -> not sure how to compare output quality - thought it does have a great look!

Then its figuring how much it costs to actually print material - how much is used per print, etc ...

Was checking some models on sculpteo.com -> and it gets pricey quickly!

E

the [URL="http://pp3dp.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:printer-setup&catid=39:setup&Itemid=41"]pp3Dp[/URL] - $2,690
accuracy 0.2mm
Build Envelope: ???
Layer Thickness: ???

the [URL="http://cubify.com/cube/store.aspx"]cube[/URL]: $1,299
Build envelope: 5.5” x 5.5” x 5.5” (140 x 140 x 140 mm)
Layer Thickness - 5 mm (125 Microns)

plus: Looks Cool
minus: proprietary spools

[URL="http://store.makerbot.com/replicator-404.html"]Replicator[/URL]: $1,750 or $2,000
Build envelope: 225 x145 x150 milimeters or 8.9 x 5.7 x 5.9 inches
Layer thickness: Choose .2-.3mm with stock nozzle.

plus: big print area, nice design
minus: ??

Then there is the Objet -- http://www.objet.com/

trying to get more info.

I ordered an Ultimaker back in December and am putting it together now.

See: http://blog.ultimaker.com/

It is, effectively, a derivative of the MakerBot.

I also funded the Kickstarter Printrbot project:

http://printrbot.com/

It is less accurate and not as fast, but is relatively cheap and is rife with experimentation possibilities. I'm planning on printing the printable parts for the Printrbot using the Ultimaker.

I'm writing up my experiences and discoveries on my weblog under the "3D Printer" tag:

http://www.friday.com/bbum/category/3d-printer/

To give a preview of the next couple of articles:

- the current state of the art of the 3D printing software in the "relatively cheap" range is.... meh; disappointing and finicky.

- ViaCAD is really quite very good.

More as it happens....

>> PunchCAD imports Sketchup files, so that coplanar facets are consolidated >>into a single contiguous face. It'd be a useful thing to be able to exercise >>that option when stitching/solidifying .stls, too.

Yes, I did that to improve the sketchup data in drawing views. They are a bit cleaner without all those facet edges.

Will look to see if I can do the same for STLs.

Tim

I have done a fair amount of 3D printing, but have come to the conclusion that, for the sort of things I am interested in, buying my own machine is just not a viable option. There are a number of 'retail' bureaus who run a variety of machines which give you option of printing in both metal, plastics and even ceramics at a reasonable price. The bureaus I know about are
[URL="http://www.shapeways.com"]Shapeways[/URL]
[URL="http://www.imaterialise.com"]iMaterialise[/URL]
[URL="http://www.ponoko.com"]Ponoko[/URL]
There maybe some more that I don't know about in the US.

Here are some photos of recent work:-
[ATTACH]4219[/ATTACH]
Loco body, built on a ProJet3000'

[ATTACH]4220[/ATTACH]
Carriage undeframe SLS in nylon.

[ATTACH]4218[/ATTACH]
Spitfire earings, silver casting from Solidscape waxes.

All the above were done at Shapeways.

I uploaded a model to http://sculpteo.com/ and it was quite pricey to print anything of substantial size - gets pricey quick.

A simple cylinder with a shpere on top (think microphone) that is 2.5cm x 14cm x 14cm in basic white plastic is $62

though I don't know how much print material costs and is used - etc .. but this can add up quick.

I have been mulling over the idea of getting a 3D printer into my workflow too. I have been looking at what wall thicknesses the device can maintain (i.e. 0.1mm due to the nature of some prototype work last year).
Print speed, z and XY resolutions, consumables (cost and variety) replacement parts (cost to replace the nozzle if it uses one), are a few of the details I have been looking into. It looks like there is huge potential for customization to fit your workflow soon (a year or so).

Shapeways try to ship within 10 working days.
Their pricing is based on a fixed charge plus a volume charge. The cost for those particular pieces was $21 for the carriage frame, $49 for the loco and $62 for the earrings.

Their will also drop ship items with a producer's markup.

I'm sure they would, it's just that I have problems switching between my designer and salesman hats :(