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

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Just watched 'Click' on the BBC News

… A few inspirational 3D Printing snippets today.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Another adventurous '3D printing' story, here

MichaelG.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Discovered that a relative is using 3D printing for a practical purpose – making spares for obsolete shower screens in Melbourne. The parts work out expensive of course but it enables them to do a bigger job they would otherwise have to turn down so maintains cash flow even if not profitable.

[jaCK HobsonParticipant @jackhobson50760]

Posted by Peter Bond on 10/03/2015 07:29:24:

I think I've seen that somewhere before . Beautiful.

Edited By jaCK Hobson on 09/07/2015 08:39:07

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

We have a few microscopists, and a few electronics wizards, on the forum; so I hope this article about a confocal inspection system might be of interest.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Keeping this thread alive …

Just saw this mentioned on BBC News.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 28/08/2015 11:57:51

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

CES has printers that can do titanium and stainless steel already !

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

See also, my post here on 03-Jan-2016

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I thought you meant College Engineering Supplies….

Neil

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by Ady1 on 07/01/2016 10:48:46:

CES has printers that can do titanium and stainless steel already !

These techniques have been available for some years now, but the price is reducing – now only $700,000!. I'll start saving. Seriously though, MichaelG's link above is interesting, although I can't see a price. It may that it will become economical for someone to offer these sorts of parts/services as an alternative to lost wax casting.

Cheers,

Rod

[Chris BaetensParticipant @chrisbaetens16442]

In answer to 'where are we all..?

Has nothing to do with mechanical engineering, but here goes…

A few months ago I finished a telescope( I call this scope Printsonian), a rather large one. Primary optics diameter 10"(also self made). Height of the scope almost 6'. All but the black and green poles are printed on a 'standard' printer.

This very moment I'm busy making parts to make me a large panel-saw.
To do this I have to redesign my 3D-printer to have it work faster. As it is now it would take 30+hours for a single part to print and that's way to long. So I'm designing and printing fast removable extruder-bodies for my i2. I will test nozzle diameter starting from 0.5 to 1.2 mm diameter. Purpose is to test how fast I will be able to print with a standard printer. Usually I print with a .35 mm nozzle-diameter..

Greetings,

Chris.

[its-smeeParticipant @its-smee]

   I purchased my 3d printer 12 months ago and have made many small items. As an exercise to learn 3D modeling i made and printed a "Doxford" marine engine from photographs and sectional drawings. Because of this i was able to produce functional drawings to make one in Aluminium. I decided to scale up slightly and go for a 4cyl version.It may not look much and quality is not exhibition standard, but I am also learning how to use my WM16 mill at the same time.

Edited By its-smee on 07/01/2016 12:46:20

[its-smeeParticipant @its-smee]

 

 

Edited By its-smee on 07/01/2016 12:48:02

Edited By its-smee on 07/01/2016 12:52:43

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by Chris Baetens on 07/01/2016 12:39:27:

In answer to 'where are we all..?

Has nothing to do with mechanical engineering, but here goes…

A few months ago I finished a telescope( I call this scope Printsonian), a rather large one. Primary optics diameter 10"(also self made). Height of the scope almost 6'. All but the black and green poles are printed on a 'standard' printer.

Very, very impressive That's one of the few really practical things I've seen done with a domestic printer, used as a tool rather than an end in itself.

I'm nearly convinced

Rod

Edited By Roderick Jenkins on 07/01/2016 13:11:35

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 07/01/2016 12:26:05:

Seriously though, MichaelG's link above is interesting, although I can't see a price. It may that it will become economical for someone to offer these sorts of parts/services as an alternative to lost wax casting.

.

Sorry, Rod … I couldn't find his 'shop' either

The Shapeways service is real though:

**LINK**

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

This is an interesting thread on another forum:

stargazerslounge.com/topic/257699-diy-moon-phase-dial/

Particularly interesting is the way it shows how 3D printing aids problem solving because it makes it easy to change your ideas and try different approaches.

I can see the benefits of smee's 'prototyping' before attacking a large chunk of alloy, and I'd also like to try 'lost wax'.

Neil

[EnnechParticipant @ennech]

I make foundry patterns developed from 3D CAD models. Mostly because of the size I tend to employ manufacture by 3D router but sometimes because of the small size or shape and intricacy of the design it makes sense to adopt 3D printing. A case in point is this pair of patterns I have just made for a motion bracket. It would have wasted a lot of time and material machining these patterns and the small features in the design are achieved. Basically it's "Horses for Courses"

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 07/01/2016 13:11:12:

That's one of the few really practical things I've seen done with a domestic printer …

You've obviously never seen a GramiPhone

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

I thought these were neat, printed covers for NEMA Type 23 stepper motors to tidy the connections up.

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

Largest Titanium parts printed so far –

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160120006401/en

Steve

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

These have been around for a few years now.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Interpreting the opening question in a 'global' sense:

'We' are here: **LINK**

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 30/01/2016 14:25:48:

Interpreting the opening question in a 'global' sense:

'We' are here: **LINK**

Tré Cool – but I think it's pushing it a bit to call it a watch

I really like the design. It would make a nice clock.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 30/01/2016 14:57:07:

Tré Cool – but I think it's pushing it a bit to call it a watch

I really like the design. It would make a nice clock.

.

No offence intended, Neil … but I think that says more about you than it does about him.

Horologists define a Watch as a Portable timepiece that can work in any position.

… and a Tourbillion would be superfluous decoration in a clock.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 30/01/2016 17:19:28

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 30/01/2016 14:57:07:

I think it's pushing it a bit to call it a watch

How about this one ?

[Author]

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