...maybe even make some to sell. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so what is a good 3d printer that can hold up to making a bunch of mods? I don't mind paying a bit more for quality, reliability, and durability.
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I don't have a 3D printer. But I have made a Lot of STL files for a company that makes 3D printed Prototypes/Proof of Concept parts.
A 3D Printer is really 3 Components. A way to make a "water tight" 3D CAD Files. A piece of software to take the CAD File and converts it into Machine Movement. And, of course, the Machine that does the Actual Printing.
I haven't Priced 3D Printers or Printing Software in a Long Time. But I know it they have come down Dramatically in the last 4 or 5 Years.
About How Much were you thinking that you would want to spend to be Up and Running?
A 3D Printer is really 3 Components. A way to make a "water tight" 3D CAD Files. A piece of software to take the CAD File and converts it into Machine Movement. And, of course, the Machine that does the Actual Printing.
I haven't Priced 3D Printers or Printing Software in a Long Time. But I know it they have come down Dramatically in the last 4 or 5 Years.
About How Much were you thinking that you would want to spend to be Up and Running?
$500-$1200 would be desired but if there is a quality printer either above or below that range I would consider it. I would really like it to print some of the metal infused plastic filament but not an absolute requirement.
What I really want is one of the HP 3d printers that can print actual metal, but I know those are going to be WAY WAY WAY out of my price range since they are designed for full industrial production usage.
What I really want is one of the HP 3d printers that can print actual metal, but I know those are going to be WAY WAY WAY out of my price range since they are designed for full industrial production usage.
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Just not sure How Many good options you would have in that Price Range? I would poke around and see what 3D Printer Forums are out there.
Couple things to keep in mind...
Printing Envelope Size.
Type of Printing Mediums that a Printer can use and their Costs.
Type of Supporting Medium/Dissolvers and their Costs.
Included Software/Interfaces.
Stated Print Resolution.
And, of course, Print Speeds at Various Dimensional Tolerances.
Some of the newer units have multiple print heads so you can print with multiple filament colors. I'd look at Monoprice for your first unit. As far as filament, PLA is biodegradeable, but going on 2 years the PLA funnels I've printed are still holding up fine.
Luckily up here in Canada, they're at many local libraries and allow me tp print at 50 cents per 15 minute interval with their filament included (only PLA). You might find a local 'maker' space where you can print before buying your own
Luckily up here in Canada, they're at many local libraries and allow me tp print at 50 cents per 15 minute interval with their filament included (only PLA). You might find a local 'maker' space where you can print before buying your own
I haven't done CAD specifically, but I do have some experience with Autodesk 3D Studio, and Lightwave 3d. Both of which are 3 modeling programs designed for film and television animation.
Yeah... 3D Printing software can sometimes be a Tad Picky about the CAD Model you give it. Most don't like Discontinuities and or "Overlaps" when you make a Mesh.
The Basic Concept is there has to be a Continuous "Outside" and a Continuous "Inside" of the Solid Model.
There is a Ton of STL Checking software out there that you can Download for a Trial Period. You might get something like netfabb (just one I can think of off the Top of My Head) and do some Simple Files and see if you can Output "Water Tight" STL Files with what you have.
Cause it ALL starts with a CAD Model. And sometimes there can be a Disconnect between being able to make a Snazzy Presentation Model vs making a 3D Printable STL File.
I 3D print my own mods. My filament of choice is PETG. My printer is a highly modified Ultibots K250 delta I got many years ago that is mostly custom now. I CAD with Freecad. 3D printing has a steep learning curve but if you are willing to spend the time and effort (read fails) to learn it is rewarding. It's not a plug and play hobby.
Ultibots has a much newer kit with most of the bells and whistles. Brad's personal support is second to none.
My current favorite 3D mod is a 20700 modified version of Pdib's Pinch. Here is one of them.
Having a lifetime supply of nic and knowing I can print my own mods ........... priceless.
Ultibots has a much newer kit with most of the bells and whistles. Brad's personal support is second to none.
My current favorite 3D mod is a 20700 modified version of Pdib's Pinch. Here is one of them.
Having a lifetime supply of nic and knowing I can print my own mods ........... priceless.
@ScottP , if you want any pointers on 3D autocad design, my husband has used it some, although he finds CAD on its own perfectly useable in most applications, but he has done some 3D work with CAD 3D. A license is not cheap, either. But if you have any general questions about it, I'm pretty sure he'd be happy to offer some pointers. He's done CAD design pretty much non-stop, etc.
Good luck, man, having a decent 3D printer in a library? LOL around here, we barely have ebooks. LOL.
Anna
Good luck, man, having a decent 3D printer in a library? LOL around here, we barely have ebooks. LOL.
Anna
Makerbot, which I don't know how they rate on the quality side. A quick Google search showed $2K, dropped to $800
I found this site crusin' around : 3D Printers and 3D Printer Kits shopping with 24h Online service | Gearbest.com
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