Who here is into 3D printers? I know there's a few miscellaneous threads, but I didn't see a recent one. Here's a bit I printed up at work to test fit some Viper brakes:
The printer's a homebrew 18" x 18" x 18" H-bot. It's powered by a Smoothieboard, with a Bulldog XL and E3D V6 extruder. The rails are really the only expensive thing, they came from Misumi.
Of course, you could have done the same thing with a piece of cardboard since all you needed was a 2D profile 
We've got a Solidoodle of some description at work. Perhaps it's operator error (it's almost definitely operator error), but it's best for rough approximations of parts. I think the biggest problem is that it's at work, so futzing around time is minimal.
This is relevant to my interests. I'm planning on 3D printing an ITB adapter and sticking it directly on my 4AGE. Ideally from Ultem but ABS will work. I'll use a phenolic gasket & SS intake bolts to keep it well below the melting point either way..
Keith Tanner wrote: Of course, you could have done the same thing with a piece of cardboard since all you needed was a 2D profile
Ha, cardboard was actually the first step. It looked too close to call, so we printed a more rigid section that locked into the lugs to make sure we got it right.
GameboyRMH wrote: This is relevant to my interests. I'm planning on 3D printing an ITB adapter and sticking it directly on my 4AGE. Ideally from Ultem but ABS will work. I'll use a phenolic gasket & SS intake bolts to keep it well below the melting point either way..
What about a filled ABS, or even PC? If you've got access to a machine with an enclosed & heated build volume, you should be able to print some pretty strong stuff. Ultem's great, but I think it's popularity is largely due to Stratasys's marketing (and that whole outgassing thing). I've used it for projects before where there was no other option, but there's a ton of materials out there now that might work for MUCH cheaper.
Where does one find a 3-d printer and what type of Cad skills do you need to utilize it?
trigun7469 wrote: Where does one find a 3-d printer and what type of Cad skills do you need to utilize it?
Amazon. Kickstarter. Staples (yes, the office retailer)
Solidworks and a type-a multi material machine here. I send the big stuff out as the printers are way to expensive to own unless you are printing at scale.
unevolved wrote:GameboyRMH wrote: This is relevant to my interests. I'm planning on 3D printing an ITB adapter and sticking it directly on my 4AGE. Ideally from Ultem but ABS will work. I'll use a phenolic gasket & SS intake bolts to keep it well below the melting point either way..What about a filled ABS, or even PC? If you've got access to a machine with an enclosed & heated build volume, you should be able to print some pretty strong stuff. Ultem's great, but I think it's popularity is largely due to Stratasys's marketing (and that whole outgassing thing). I've used it for projects before where there was no other option, but there's a ton of materials out there now that might work for MUCH cheaper.
Polycarbonate would be a good option. What do you mean by "filled ABS?"
Wow. Not grassroots. What does the material cost to print something like that? If it's like HP inkjet ink, it must be a million dollars just for the material. What's the printer worth? Amazing.
GameboyRMH wrote:unevolved wrote:Polycarbonate would be a good option. What do you mean by "filled ABS?"GameboyRMH wrote: This is relevant to my interests. I'm planning on 3D printing an ITB adapter and sticking it directly on my 4AGE. Ideally from Ultem but ABS will work. I'll use a phenolic gasket & SS intake bolts to keep it well below the melting point either way..What about a filled ABS, or even PC? If you've got access to a machine with an enclosed & heated build volume, you should be able to print some pretty strong stuff. Ultem's great, but I think it's popularity is largely due to Stratasys's marketing (and that whole outgassing thing). I've used it for projects before where there was no other option, but there's a ton of materials out there now that might work for MUCH cheaper.
Carbon (or other fiber) filled. Something like Proto-pasta. It's common in injection molding, and it's getting to be more common in 3D printing.
http://www.proto-pasta.com/
1988RedT2 wrote: Wow. Not grassroots. What does the material cost to print something like that? If it's like HP inkjet ink, it must be a million dollars just for the material. What's the printer worth? Amazing.
My printer? Probably not as much as you think. It's not cheap, sure, but I've got maybe $5k into it. (Worth noting it's owned by my employer and is a business asset, not a personal toy.) Could definitely have been done for much cheaper, but I built this one with an eye on expansion since I couldn't find anything on the market yet that did what I wanted to do at our price point. The material is $40/kg for the good stuff, so nowhere near as expensive as inkjet printers. 
That brake caliper probably cost $10 in material and whatever electricity. No expensive.
I have a PrintrBot Simple Metal for about two months now. Still havent gotten it to print right yet.
singleslammer wrote: I have a PrintrBot Simple Metal for about two months now. Still havent gotten it to print right yet.
If you want some free help troubleshooting, hit me up. But hey, you get what you pay for. 
unevolved wrote:1988RedT2 wrote: Wow. Not grassroots. What does the material cost to print something like that? If it's like HP inkjet ink, it must be a million dollars just for the material. What's the printer worth? Amazing.My printer? Probably not as much as you think. It's not cheap, sure, but I've got maybe $5k into it. (Worth noting it's owned by my employer and is a business asset, not a personal toy.) Could definitely have been done for much cheaper, but I built this one with an eye on expansion since I couldn't find anything on the market yet that did what I wanted to do at our price point. The material is $40/kg for the good stuff, so nowhere near as expensive as inkjet printers.
Impressive. I am amazed that they're not jacking users up on the material cost. How is the material purchased? Is it like a cartridge, or bulk?
1988RedT2 wrote: Wow. Not grassroots. What does the material cost to print something like that? If it's like HP inkjet ink, it must be a million dollars just for the material. What's the printer worth? Amazing.
My printer was less than $600 and has a 10X10X10 build size! The plastic is about $15 - $20 for 2 lbs. of PLA or ABS. That breaks down to some VERY inexpensive prints. The first thing I printed cost something like $.17 in plastic, some electricity, and saved me $400.
If anyone is thinking about buying one, I can't recommend Colin at makerfarm strongly enough. Stellar customer service, great product, great support community.
In reply to unevolved:
I will definitely do that. I spent every night for a week messing with it and then we went into baby mode and I haven't gotten back to it.
1988RedT2 wrote: Impressive. I am amazed that they're not jacking users up on the material cost. How is the material purchased? Is it like a cartridge, or bulk?
It comes on a spool, usually in an airtight bag with desiccant. That's really more important for ABS and other materials, and mission critical for super hydrophilic materials like nylons and polyimides. I've had good luck with the "PRO Series" from Matter Hackers.
singleslammer wrote: In reply to unevolved: I will definitely do that. I spent every night for a week messing with it and then we went into baby mode and I haven't gotten back to it.
Totally understandable, especially if you haven't had a need for it.
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