3D printing seems to have gone quiet. Where are we all at?

[Billy MillsParticipant @billymills]

To answer Les's question, many thermmoplastics are reusable but colour sorting, addatives and contamination make it a little complicated. Bad batches of extrusions or mouldings go into a Chipper to be turned back into granules that can then be remelted.

Rather than cast blocks for machining you can extrude or inject the recovered material. The solid rod that 3D printers use is produced from regular plastic pellets melted then extruded from a nozzle. It's one of the accessories for a 3D printer sometimes made by printer owners to reduce their running costs as home squirted fillament is a fraction of bought in material.

Billy.

[Danny M2ZParticipant @dannym2z]

Posted by Lofty76 on 12/03/2014 18:31:30:

That came out last November, here's a link to the process which was published in 2011 **LINK**

Thanks for that link Lofty.

I was contemplating a 3D printer to manufacture cored patterns for sandcast moulding model engine crankcases.

Maybe the sintered titanium process could make the whole crankcase in one go (that would be sweet). A titanium con-rod might be an affordable practical start though.

I have some titanium in the workshop (undercarriage legs for models). It a pita to machine as it work hardens like crazy and turns drills orange. The swarf burns as bright as magnesium btw, which makes me wonder about the safety aspects of the powdered variety.

Given all that, a titanium crankcase and conrod for a 2-stroke engine would be awesome. Maybe a piston too, even if if the early versions had a conventional ring.

Reducing the weight of the reciprocating parts is the dream of many model engine makers.

Regards * Danny *

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

There was an item on the 6pm news tonight about a chap in Wales getting his face rebuilt with the aid of a 3D printer. He smashed himself up on his motorbike some time ago. Ian S C

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Ian,

Thanks for that … What amazing work!

Here is the BBC page.

MichaelG.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by Danny M2Z on 13/03/2014 05:39:25:

Given all that, a titanium crankcase and conrod for a 2-stroke engine would be awesome. Maybe a piston too, even if if the early versions had a conventional ring.

Reducing the weight of the reciprocating parts is the dream of many model engine makers.

I've seen some really lovely work in metal (called rapid protyping rather than 3D printing) but I seriously doubt whether the equipment to do this will ever come within the budget of a model engineer. I can see a use of 3D printing for pattern making but little else to interest the model engineer apart from using his tools and expertise to make the printer, which seems a rather sterile exercise. There still remains the issue of an affordable precise 3D CAD system with adequate file saving and interchange options to design the stuff in the first place. That will probably come; but when?

Rod

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Amazing video!

I watched the Sarah Conner Terminator series last year!

Things are now progressing at such an amazing pace, bionic man is not too far off.

Geoff – Body organs next?

[EnnechParticipant @ennech]

I just got a quotation for producing this item by 3D printing methods using the cheapest material……£144………It is far cheaper to produce it by CNC machining on my router.

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

I just got a quotation for producing this item by 3D printing methods using the cheapest material……£144………It is far cheaper to produce it by CNC machining on my router.

Been following Shapeways since the beginning (ex. colleague is CTO) and also sometimes use our Stratasys printer @work (for work things) and do CNC at home. (ex. colleague and I worked on the graphics standards used behind the scenes at Shapeways)

100% agree on things that can be produced easily on a CNC mill, like your hornblocks. Where it shines are in producing items that are really difficult to produce, or that can be done in plastic.

My stepper motor holders and the limit switch holders for my Unimat CNC lathe should have been produced by 3D printing, rather than out of aluminium.

3D printing is just another tool in your arsenal, not the solution to everything.

People keep asking me why I don't have a 3D printer at home. Not much use for one, but I do have a Printrbot Simple that will go together this weekend when I'm with a group of model railroaders. It was purchased for doing presentations and demonstrations, so no expectations other than that it squirts PLA around.

Just my opinions – John.

PS – Unimat CNC is on my blog, for those interested: **LINK**

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

You may, or may not, support his political stance, but;

today's HARDtalk programme 10:35 on BBC2, is a very interesting interview with Cody Wilson [he of the 3D Printed Gun] … Worth watching on iPlayer if you missed it.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Sorry … I think I posted the wrong time for that HARDtalk interview.

Here is the BBC page.

MichaelG.

[Mark CParticipant @markc]

Ennech, although there are no dimensions on your part at that price I would guess it is about 200 mm long? Basing price on around 50p per gram

Mark

[EnnechParticipant @ennech]

About right Mark C, the actual dimensions are: 212x104x32.3 mm with a volume of 31cm3

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

There's a guy on the Fountain Pen Network who is using a commercial 3D printer subcontractor for his business. This lot charge a flat rate fee for as much as you want inside a particular cage that is printed at the same time, all they do is shake the cage to remove unconsolidated powder, pop it in a standard postage box & send it to you. The results look outstanding, with the prices & price list here: **LINK**

I have not used them, but the results I've seen look amazing.

Regards,

Richard

[EnnechParticipant @ennech]

That's an interesting new slant on things Richard though in my case it would not make much difference unless I found small things to fit in the middle.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

In yesterdays junk mail, got one from Noel Leeming (electronics & home appliance), they are advertising a 3D printer, called Cubify 3D Model Printer. Ideal portable size for classrooms, living rooms, offices & designers. Wi-Fi printing, no wires! 16 different colour cartridges available. Includes 25 free ready to print creations and many more available at Cubify.com. Print anything up to 5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5". Includes easy to use Cube software. Price $NZ1999.

I don't have any connection to this outfit, but thought it might be interesting to someone. Ian S C

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Interesting. I've been paying $40(US) per kg reel of 3mm ABS (www.botfeeder.ca). That's about 2.5p per gram for the material ie a long way from 50p per gram. Presumably the 50p figure includes equipment amortisation, operator time and commercial profit?

BTW Ian S C – the Cubify printer requires proprietary replacement cartridges for the filament at about $100 (60 quid) each on Amazon.com, which may be a reason not to get one. It has a chip to prevent you replacing the filament yourself but it looks as if hackers are working on it….

[EnnechParticipant @ennech]

The price includes VAT at 20% and postage but the raw cost is far higher than my cost to machine the pattern from high density polyurethane. It is horses for courses. I have used 3D printing for small patterns and also inserts to get detail in small coreboxes In addition my Lister cover plate was made starting with a 3D printed pattern made from my CAD model. The pattern being used to produce a latex mould for investment casting. I am seriously considering getting my own 3D printer but there are a lot out there and I am waiting for the dust to settle..

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If you put the CNC work out to a subcontractor it would not be massively cheaper than having it printed as you would be paying for their time, machines, overheads and materials. Can't really compare the two.

Its a bit like saying I can turn a part for peanuts as I have a lathe but having an engineering firm turn the same item is expensive.

J

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For info. …

HP is about to get in on the act.

MichaelG.

[EnnechParticipant @ennech]

Before you can CNC machine or 3D print you need an stl file from CAD. As I already have these I have discounted the cost anyway. Also I have the CNC router and programs to use it so for me it is cheaper to machine than to print for larger items Jason.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

I was looking at Mark C's estimate based on 50p / gram. Sounds as if that is how commercial operators are pricing their work ie 20:1 markup on the material cost? I suppose it's a simple formula and presumably covers amortisation, time and profit as I said.

MichaelG – yes, I saw the announcement from HP yesterday. Quite amusingly simplistic for their marketing rep to suggest that they have "solved the problem" of speed and finish – so we can all go home now. Like anything, in practice it will be a steady journey to drive the cost down and improve the quality. I suppose they get paid to say stuff like that!

If it's anything like the inkjet market, HP will be looking to make their money on the consumables by locking owners into proprietary materials / refills. I suspect that will be more successful in the consumer market, whereas the hobby / ME sector will be more resistant. I wonder if it will ever come to the point where they give away 3D printers free, as they do with inkjets.

BTW, to illustrate some of the related developments that may be closer to our interests, here is a "subtractive" 3D machine (call it a mini CNC) that's very closely related to what we know as 3D printers or 3D routers. THey all use g-codes. The gap between this kind of beast and full CNC systems can only narrow,,,,

**LINK**

Murray

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Appologies the following is CNC not 3DP.

The lightweight cnc router you linked to appears by the thousand on ebay but has never been mentioned on here as I think everyone considers them too lightweight. What I see as of interest to the Model Engineer is that the design and construction is trivial for one of us with our skills and machines.
So a ME who wanted such a machine for himself of family member could build rather than buy. Therefore it follows that even though it is not up to hogging out final drive gears for a 4" traction engine it would be a valid construction article in MEW. Most of the expense would be the steppers & electronics which might be made demountable to transfer onto a printer on alternate days.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Murray..most domestic 3d fff ( fused filament fabrication ) printers are built light..it has advantages..but as such are not stiff enough to mill..that said .it is “only” a matter of say adding beefier motors/drives. And adding cnc to a mill..the control side is done..for example MARLIN firmware on an audrino like board with say repietier host software on pc..gives a very capable cnc…ok the?stl to gcode bit that is automated for 3d printing would be your own problem but there is a programme “skeinforge” that has settings for milling so maybe that’s done already..

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Posted by jason udall on 21/03/2014 17:33:30:
Murray..most domestic 3d fff ( fused filament fabrication ) printers are built light..it has advantages..but as such are not stiff enough to mill..that said .it is "only" a matter of say adding beefier motors/drives. And adding cnc to a mill..the control side is done..for example MARLIN firmware on an audrino like board with say repietier host software on pc..gives a very capable cnc…ok the?stl to gcode bit that is automated for 3d printing would be your own problem but there is a programme "skeinforge" that has settings for milling so maybe that's done already..

Jason and others – thoughts for you:

1) use a router like that one Murray points to line/paint models. (I can't draw a straight line if my life depended on it) Fancy lining or Fonts – at least on flattish surfaces – should be doable.

2) rather than the Marlin/Arduino, go for LinuxCNC/ Beaglebone Black/ and a BeBopr++ board to tie it together. Charles on the LinuxCNC mailing list is the "go to" person, and there are some impressive videos (charles' blog: **LINK**)

The Western JohnS. (**LINK**)

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Another NZ retaler has a 3D printer(the Kiwis will know the place "where every one gets a bargain&quot, this one is $NZ3495, the 300 g filament rolls are $NZ27 95 each. It's a "Maker Bot Replicator 2". So the Bots are coming. Ian S C

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