3D printing growing as we speak

[Chuck Kourouklis]

As I've said before, we may never see the day that most modelers have 3D printers on the bench, but it's entirely reasonable to envision a world where most hobby shops have printers.

Porsche has demonstrated the ease with which these files can be shared, so why not envision online-catalogs of available 3D-printable parts or kits? You pick what you need, forward the files to your LHS, HobbyTown, Michaels or whoever, and pick up your finished parts when they're done.

It adds a nice little profit-maker to an existing business without having to stock a wide variety of oddball parts that may never move off the shelf.

The scenario is not unlike the days when even a lot of businesses relied on shops like Kinkos for their copying and printing needs, before desktop printers became ubiquitous.

Yup, and that might be a practical workaround for the Hazmat issue, too - assuming that polymer science makes no progress from here on out. A hand-held device with untold multiples of computing power over a 1952 UNIVAC would never happen - in the age of vacuum tubes.

I have some difficulty with concepts like the absolute "never" (as opposed to maybe never). This thread is kind of making a mockery of absolute "never", in fact.

And then there's that shell you've all kicked up on screen, which oddly enough looks exactly like a Porsche Cayman. Gee - anybody think they "fudged" it some? Little selective compression on the roof maybe? Don't see that they flattened the wheel arches any, so I guess that's out...

[sjordan2]

More possibilities, from fashion to fine art:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/18/world/impossible-art-mind-bending-3-d-printed-masterpieces/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6

[High octane]

Since I'm doin' just fine without a GPS, iphone, ipad, backpack, etc., I guess I can live without a 3-D printer as well.

[kruleworld]

I'd better start brushing up on my 3D skills. gonna be some demand for it, me thinks.

[bbowser]

News from the CES show, prices are coming down, the number of manufacturers is going up.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9245288/3D_printer_prices_drop_food_printers_arrive_at_CES?source=CTWNLE_nlt_dailyam_2014-01-09

[sjordan2]

Anyone for 3D-printed Hershey's chocolate from a vending machine?

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2014/01/23/chocolate-3d-printer-hersheys-5-things-future?hpt=hp_bn17

[lordairgtar]

Anyone for 3D-printed Hershey's chocolate from a vending machine?

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2014/01/23/chocolate-3d-printer-hersheys-5-things-future?hpt=hp_bn17

Yup, we are gonna see Star Trek style replicators soon.

[Jordan White]

With my love of doing 3D CAD modeling, and finding out how easy it is to have Shapeways 3D print an item you upload, I've created a set of wheels for my 1/12 1978 Corvette build that I'm doing. I'm going to wait to have them printed until I see whether there are other parts that I need, but I checked and they would only be about 7 bucks a wheel in white detail plastic.

[bbowser]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9245785/3D_printing_now_in_living_color_?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2014-01-27

More fuel for the fire.....

[bbowser]

Things are getting sticky.....

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9245834/Bio_printing_human_parts_will_spark_ethical_regulatory_debate?taxonomyId=128&pageNumber=2

[JabMan]

With my love of doing 3D CAD modeling, and finding out how easy it is to have Shapeways 3D print an item you upload

This is interesting I will have to look into Shapeways, I want to add some air scoops on my super bee that did not come with the kit. I never thought of doing them in CAD and having them printed in 3D.

As a Cad drafter I have seen some pretty neat things done with a 3d printer. It's a great tool for prototyping and I think it will add a lot to the world of modeling.

[martinfan5]

Free Honda Concept Cars for everyone , well, if you have 3D printer

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/free-honda-concept-cars-for-all-2014-01-31

Edited February 1, 2014 by martinfan5

[sjordan2]

I see a lot of people coming late to this thread and expressing their amazement at certain things that have been covered in detail in earlier pages. I would recommend that they go back to page one to get up to speed.

[bbowser]

Another interesting story, one man's take on 3D printing at home....

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9246088/Hands_on_Trying_a_3D_printer_a_beginner_s_tale?taxonomyId=12&pageNumber=1

[1930fordpickup]

Thanks Bruce , good story .

[Ace-Garageguy]

Additive manufacturing (3D printing, etc.) in more than one material...per part... is a technology that is rapidly coming of age. Think of flexible radiator hoses with hard easily-glued, well-scaled ends, or maybe hard wheels with flexible tires formed in place, or printed-in integral whitewalls. Endless possibilities.

Article from Desktop Engineering Mag here...http://www.deskeng.com/articles/aabntb.htm

[my66s55]

Flexable pla has been around for a while. It's just difficult to print. I could print with this, but it is a problem for some so I stay away.

Edited February 21, 2014 by my66s55

[pharoah]

Has anyone printed in styrene? I saw a video where he printed in 'wood'. Probably a composite material like decking.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Flexable pla has been around for a while. It's just difficult to print. I could print with this, but it is a problem for some so I stay away.

Just for clarification, the article I referenced is NOT primarily about flexible materials.

It's about printing with MULTIPLE MATERIALS IN A SINGLE PART.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Has anyone printed in styrene? I saw a video where he printed in 'wood'. Probably a composite material like decking.

The ABS commonly used in many 3D printing applications is in the "styrene" family...acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

It's probably just a matter of time until filament printing with the "polystyrene" we're all used to is common as well. The filament is already available.

http://www.makergeeks.com/hiimpohfi1.html

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Filament - 1.75mm

Item# HIPSFilament175

Regular Price: $69.95

MakerGeeks Price: $39.95

1x:

Edited February 21, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[pharoah]

Thanks, Bill. Yeah,that's what I meant. HIPS

[Greg Wann]

Has anyone seen something called SENSE? It is a hand held 3D scanner that will create a file. You could scan somebodies head and print it. You could have a small size of yourself in a StarTrek diorama. You scan something and then send it to a 3D scanner for printing. The thing is only $400.00. I told Chris Soback that if he had a 3D printer and scanner we could make cool trophies for our Desert Scale Classic model contest. I can imagine the trophy for best paint could be a hand holding a can of paint with the index finger pushing the button down. It would be a new and fresh idea for contest trophies. I am on a computer at work and it will not allow me to post a link here. I understand it is possible to make something that is clear and rubbery with a 3D printer. It would be even more cool if the above mentioned trophy could light up as well. Maybe some fiber optic at the nozzle would give it the look as if it were spraying paint. I am full of great ideas, I am full of talent, but mostly I am full of?

[my66s55]

Selection_015.bmpI print with hips. I just bought two new spools at $33.00 each. It's a little different from pla or abs. The main reason it has appeared is to be used as the support for abs. This is one of the benefits of a dual head printer. One prints in abs, the subject, the other the support in hips. There is a natural product made with oranges that disolves the hips, but not the abs. I print hips at 225 degrees C at the hot end and 110 degrees C on the heat bed. It gives me a nice print, but can warp easily. Attached are 2 interior side panels for a 59 Plymouth Sport Fury I printed in hips.

[my66s55]

Just for clarification, the article I referenced is NOT primarily about flexible materials.

It's about printing with MULTIPLE MATERIALS IN A SINGLE PART.

I never indicated that it was. I mearly stated that flexible pla has been around for awhile.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I never indicated that it was. I mearly stated that flexible pla has been around for awhile.

My apologies for MY misunderstanding of your post.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

With the rapid global development of this technology and associated materials, and its huge industrial and prototyping applications, it's only a matter of time before just about any desirable properties can be incorporated into a 3D printed part.

Though the capabilities are already impressive and pricing is falling fast, the tech is really still only in its infancy at this point.