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lets talk about 3d printing!!

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Who all is interested in 3D printing?

I have read some mainstream articles on the topic and listened to quite a few podcasts. Mostly they just applaud how neat it will be someday when the costs come down and their use is more universal.

I know some of the assembled versions run from low around 800 or 1k and the sky is the limit from there. Apparently there are some that you 'stick build' from blue prints or from the manufacture's instructions. That would be one I get in the future maybe.

Anybody out there in m-f land have one? Or have used one (they can be found in some places local libraries)?

I think they are pretty neat, but I more than likely wont own one for a few years (unless some ppl in here can yeild stories about how easy and cheap they are.. haha).

The method of how designs are shared is pretty interesting to me. Apparently there are certain file types that are ubiquitous to all 3D printers, and AutoCad is vital to a home creator or the indutrial engineer. I guess there are some data bases (maintained by google .. maybe?) that store some pretty basic designs that anybody who has an internet connection and a printer can utilize and alter after the fact.

I dont really bring much to the discussion other than being interested, hoping there are some zealots in here that have some knowledge to drop.

thanks
 

Slydude

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This is one piece of tech that I have a hard time justifying even if the cost coms down considerably, Maybe it's a lack of creativity on my part but I just can't think of enough important projects I would do often enough.
 
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At one point a lot of people probably couldn't justify buying a computer.. a machine that can become other machines

I like to think of a 3D printer as something you would have in your garage.. in a few years there will be power tools that cost as much as a 3D printer. a tool that can build other tools
 
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I for one would love a 3D printer. Prices have really came down the past few years. I wouldn't need a highly complex one. But, I have other things to purchase at the moment.
 

chscag

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Do you need to wear those weird looking glasses when you print? ;P :Cool:
 
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I would love to have one as soon as the price comes down.
I could see me making holders for phone/pad to go desk and auto.
 
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Do you need to wear those weird looking glasses when you print? ;P :Cool:

Ha, nope. But those might be one of the cheaper things that you could purchase.
The 'platforms' the builds happen on have to be heated, and are not ALL reusable.
There is the obvious cost of the device its self and all the materials needed to construct things.
There is a lot of time devoted to just the simplest things.

There are A LOT of negatives about it.. but like i said earlier.. ppl felt that way about cars, computers, and countless other things too.. It's hard to tell where it will lead...


No 3D owners in here huh? Surprising..
 

RavingMac

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We use one all the time at work for prototyping small parts . . . though not me personally.
 
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Looking forward to the price coming down so I can try out some of those DEFCAD files for myself! From what I've been reading, the metal-media printers are just now becoming viable for building usable things.
 

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