3d printers for DIY projects?

GaryLH

GaryLH

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http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/0...ctive-wwii-optic-with-scraps-and-a-3d-printer

I saw this article today... It started me thinking, has the cost of these printers come down enough for the average DIY hobbyist to consider? What additional sw do u need?

Of course they can never substitute for the places where the attributes of a metal part or flexibility is required.

Just thinking out loud after reading this article.

Gary
 
You'd need software that is able to export the files correctly. AutoCad is the industry standard, Google Sketchup may work as well.
 
Thanks for info.

What version of autocad? My wife used it when she was working for an architect.

Gary
 
I've managed to avoid completing my RepRap 3D printer since Christmas 🙁

The software of choice for low end 3D printing is OpenSCAD, which is great if you're a programmer but not so good for those who don't like that approach. FreeCAD is for those who understand classical technical drawing. Art of Illusion and Blender are for those of an artistic bent. They're all open source and free as in "free beer", so don't be afraid to jump in.

😀
 
GaryLH said:
Thanks for info.

What version of autocad? My wife used it when she was working for an architect.

Gary
Click to expand...

The most recent version? My little experience in 3d modeling consists of me trying to make an M2 😀

679805_10152286278065206_921046540_o.jpg


It isn't perfect... hell or even measured. I just did it by eye.
 
Looks like autocad not in cards for me then 🙁. Her version is 8 years old and she is now an independent interior designer instead.

Gary
 
Btw

Somewhere I saw a comment I think it was in Japan, where u can get a 3d portrait made of people. Takes about 15 minutes per session.

If 3d printer become popular but cost of sw and other associated stuff is still expensive, I wonder if we will c scanning services become available.. Ie send in a broken part, they scan, u use your 3d printer to make the replacement part (assuming that part can at least be glued together).

Or a rough sketch of something and the service provides a preliminary print out for check and final ok for 3d file and such.

Anyway an interesting world we are living in today. All science fiction when I was a kid.
Gary
 
I looked into 3d printing briefly, but unfortunately it's very limited when it comes to making lens and camera parts. You can do only so much with rough blobs of plastic.

Sticking to lathe for now, hope 3d printing matures in a decade or two.
 
Got one for the shop, perfect for making missing parts prototypes on rare cameras, or to figure out how an enhancement/modification idea would work, great for making tools prototypes too. But she mainly works on non-standard lens caps/hoods and accessories. (yes it's a girl according to my punk assistant).

I won't engage my reputation on such things as replacing a part by a printed one. Mostly because raw materials can't bear traditional lubricants or are bioplastics.
And about stuff people ask me to do with it, for 90% it is faster and easier to do on the lathe/mill than making a 3d model and prepare it for printing.

That's weird to see that even on that people think that just because you're replacing actual machining time by computer model making time they should only pay the raw material (same process happened with digital cameras and we can see the mess done everyday). One hour on a lathe or on Catia, SW, or Topsolid is 60 minutes or 3600 seconds.
 
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