3d printing
3d printing
(OP)
I assume everyone gets the same SWx spam emails I do... I got the one today for the 3d printing. Anyone here actually use it? Still seems like more a novelty than anything as near as I can tell.... maybe I just lack vision...






RE: 3d printing
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: 3d printing
RE: 3d printing
I use that sort of technology all the time, but I'm an industrial designer. There are a few varieties of "3D Printing", however, each with its pros and cons. I was pleased to try Z-Corp on a recent projects with pre-colored, inexpensive parts that fit together and really helped sell a design to execs. It was also a fast turn-around. You really never know what the design of a given product will look like until you're looking at it in true 3D (scale, shadows, highlights, proportion to people, etc.).
This isn't something I'd consider buying for myself, since I use such a wide variety of technologies for specific needs. I'd need over a million dollars worth of equipment (not to mention the supplies) to get what I pay local vendors to produce on a regular basis.
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reality is no respecter of good intentions.
RE: 3d printing
Back when I was at Pratt and Whitney, (1996 or so) they had just gotten on the rapid-prototype bandwagon and were doing stuff with stereolithography. I had a few little parts made. It was fun working for a place with deep pockets!
RE: 3d printing
I have the machine right next to my computer and it's very easy to download a file to it and have the machine make the part.
The pro's of the machine I have is the material used is ABS which means the parts are strong and not brittle like SLA output. The downside is the finished product does have a step texture due to the process... and so the finish is not real smooth, which is one of the definite advantages of SLA.... which gives a fairly smooth finish (or the new Objet machines which produce a very smooth finish).
The machine has been a nice addition to the other machinery I have for developing prototypes....and overall, I've been very happy it.