Rapid Prototyper?

[Dreadhead]

Not audio related but damn it's cool:

Video: MakerBot's build-it-yourself 3D printer in action, replicator in the works -- Engadget

CupCake CNC - MakerBot Industries

If I had somewhere I could put it I'd be all over it. That is flat out frigging cool. Custom heaphone stands, knobs, wtf else. So cool

[luvdunhill]

I've used one of those that uses a laser to cure a vat of stuff.. milspec in fact, as it primary use was prototyping for aircraft. Pretty cool, and insanely accurate.

[Dreadhead]

The price point on this bad boy is nuts though $950 for everything. Now I have to think of a use.

[n_maher]

I'm actually pretty interested.

I wonder what software it supports/needs?

[Dreadhead]

Apparently it's totally free software once you can feed it an STL file which most any solid modeler will generate. Or there are lots of models on line to start.

The plastic is the same stuff as for lego. I can see people doing some sweet diy enclosures etc

[n_maher]

I was actually thinking about this for my real job, where I regularly work with architects who produce scale models of projects.

But the DIY applications are pretty cool too.

[luvdunhill]

(insert allusion to ceramic applications)

[Dusty Chalk]

US$950?!?!? That is, indeed, insane.

[n_maher]

I decided I'd call an expert and spoke with my brother last night who's a mechanical engineer and has quite a bit of experience with rapid prototyping machines like this. His advice was that if you expected anything other than a prototype out of it you were doomed to be disappointed. The 3 major weaknesses he noted:

1. While the stated accuracy sounds nice (.1mm), it really isn't all that good. It'll result in noticeable surface imperfections and stair stepping artifacts as the machine lays down the layers. He went on to say that round or curved objects would fare even worse.

2. Given the above he also said it's worth mentioning that it's very difficult to do any post processing of the prototype. What this means is that the material does not respond well to finishing techniques like sanding, sculpting, etc.

3. The results of the printing process are not permanent or particularly durable. While some bonding between the layers of material certainly takes place it doesn't hold up in the long run under use.

So what all that really means is that this thing sort of "is what it is" and if any of us had hopes of producing permanent parts with it (like knobs, enclosures, whatever) it'd be a bad idea.

[Dreadhead]

I decided I'd call an expert and spoke with my brother last night who's a mechanical engineer and has quite a bit of experience with rapid prototyping machines like this. His advice was that if you expected anything other than a prototype out of it you were doomed to be disappointed. The 3 major weaknesses he noted:

1. While the stated accuracy sounds nice (.1mm), it really isn't all that good. It'll result in noticeable surface imperfections and stair stepping artifacts as the machine lays down the layers. He went on to say that round or curved objects would fare even worse.

2. Given the above he also said it's worth mentioning that it's very difficult to do any post processing of the prototype. What this means is that the material does not respond well to finishing techniques like sanding, sculpting, etc.

3. The results of the printing process are not permanent or particularly durable. While some bonding between the layers of material certainly takes place it doesn't hold up in the long run under use.

So what all that really means is that this thing sort of "is what it is" and if any of us had hopes of producing permanent parts with it (like knobs, enclosures, whatever) it'd be a bad idea.

Interesting. On one of the videos the guy had prototyped some gears etc and I thought it was pretty awesome. I assumed the layer-layer bonding was pretty good after the example of the foosball guy etc.

All thing above stated I still want one. I showed my wife and her response was: that's cool. Now I just need to bide my time....

[manaox2]

I've used a couple of 3-D printers back at the university, last time about two years ago, and only one was good enough to use for anything that I would think of as being a finished product on certain things. From what little I know, that one in particular was most definitely not cheap.

[Grahame]

Could you not:

• Make 3D prototype,
  
• Make a mold of prototyped article
  
• Cast article in more durable material, using prototype mould.
  
• Finish cast article?
  
  
  Thus not be limited by properties of prototyping material?
  
  E.g
  
  • prototype fancy case / heatsink in 3D CAD program
    
  • Print 3d prototype
    
  • Make mould of prototype
    
  • Cast metal into mould
    
  • Shotblast / powdercoat resulting item
    
  • Profit!
    

[manaox2]

Could you not use the design files and a professional service to make a finished product without the prototyping process and also with none of the flaws of the prototype for cheaper? I don't think the prototyping material would make for a very quality mold either. I wouldn't want to pay to make a mold to make only a few cases, as usually the mold will cost more I would think to produce.

[Dusty Chalk]

What if I want aliasing?

[manaox2]

What if I want aliasing?

I'm sure you don't mind them all the same color either.