Affordable 3D Printer

[Des]

Check this out guys, scroll down and watch the video clip that is with the listing, it is quite interesting. Maybe this is the start of very affordable 3D printers for the model maker.

Des.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3Dstuffmakers-cREATOR-3D-Printer-Portable-3D-Model-Maker-/181068472921?pt=AU_Toys_Hobbies_Model_Kits&hash=item2a2885a259

[bobs_buckles]

You going to buy one?
Buying the printer is the easy part. Learning the software is a whole new ballgame and one that scares the pants off me 

vB

[Des]

No Bob, I won't be buying one, I'm too old to be learning new tricks, I have enough trouble keeping my website and forum running let alone  trying to get my head around a whole new, and complicated, software program.

Des.

[bobs_buckles]

You're never too old to learn new trick, Des! 

vB

[Rizzo]

I don't think affordable 3d printers quite have the accuracy needed yet, but maybe something will come along in a few years time. When you look at the parts they make close up, they still look quite poor. Perhaps an alternative method to make the basis of a fuselage tub or something, but not anything that could be used directly from the printer.

So far it seems to be only small companies that are really pushing to produce affordable home printers. Maybe it's the requirement to have knowledge of CAD software that's holding bigger companies back?

I've paid for a company to print parts out for me, using a very expensive Objet printer, and it being quite simple surfaces in 1/16 scale. There's still a lot of work needed to get the parts into a useable state. I've also had problems with the the thin surfaces warping, and it wasn't cheap either. So I'm not convinced by the technology myself just yet, although no doubt it will get much better quite quickly.

[uncletony]

I have a good friend who has a very successful rapid prototyping business; I've watched this technology explode in the last 15 years from close up. All indications are that the migration from high-end, B2B applications, towards consumer oriented applications, is in full swing. IMO it is identical to what happened with print technology in the 80s. Everybody in the industry is talking about it, the smart guys (like my friend) are working to reshape their businesses to be in position to take advantage.

I agree with everything Rizzo says above; it's still a bit out of reach, certainly for the mainstream modeler. But make no mistake, it is coming and will impact our hobby.  I think the first thing we'll see is more accessible services (software, prices, customer service) followed later by truly useful affordable equipment.

[rhallinger]

One could reasonably expect something of a cottage industry to spring up for all sorts of aftermarket parts and conversion stuff once this becomes a bit more accessible to those who already have a bent for it.  Great days ahead for scale modelers!

Regards,

Bob

[Ian from Doncaster]

Imagine being able to download a WNW kit (or other maker) straight to your 3d printer at home...

Would be very useful for re-printing parts that get lost to the carpet monster or broken etc...

10-15 years away, or less?

[uncletony]

One could reasonably expect something of a cottage industry to spring up for all sorts of aftermarket parts and conversion stuff once this becomes a bit more accessible to those who already have a bent for it.  Great days ahead for scale modelers!

Regards,

Bob

It's already happening. Guess how the new Gaspatch turnbuckles and anemometer head are being made...

[rhallinger]

Ahhhh . . . the future is here!

[uncletony]

Ahhhh . . . the future is here!

Yes, but where's my jetpack?!?

[Chris Johnson]

At least one AFV modeller is testing the waters with 3D. I've just ordered a set of his 1/35 periscope guards for Sherman tanks. The price seemed very reasonable to me and I think the process lends itself to fine detail parts like these.



For those who may be interested in the company he uses to print his designs, here's the link.

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/mmcdesign?sort=newest&l=36

Cheers,

Chris

[ALBATROS1234]

the technology is advancing everyday. at this point from what ive heard the $800 home model wouldnt have the clarity we need for the detail we crave. now it might be useful to make vac-u-form masters. say feed in dimesions for each fuselage half then vac em kinda like guys do when they make a split balsa block master. cept it would be perfectly symetrical etc. you could also do wing masters maybe that could be vac-u-formed. i think you need the 10.000 machine to just feed in data and print out a kit of the quality were used to.

[pepperman42]

Chris let us know how they look in the flesh. I noticed in the product notes the rod size is mfged 'oversized" but by how much is the question. Are they substantially better than kit parts? I will assume so. Sure beats folding up 2D p/e or scratching though.

Steve

[ermeio]

Hi all
I think that 3D printers have already changed our hobby: WNW dream started when there was a 3D printer around, I have read.
I think that the 3D printing standards of services like the ones that we find online and of the printers now on the market are not up to what we will see in the next future, so we are only a step away from the next modlelling revolution
ermeio