[gundas]

We've just got a 3D printer at work, I'd never even heard of one before but it's amazing(ly slow).

Basically, it takes a CAD drawing and turns it into a 3D print out. As in it uses a mix of abs and wax (the latter to build the support structure) to create a model. You then wash off the wax and you are left with a 3d construction of what you visualised in CAD.

It's slow though, we created two drink bottle holders (that hold 12 mini-cans each) and they took 36 hours to do all the parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSJ12...ext=1&index=30

I'm not allowed to post pictures of the things we are prototyping, but here is an example of what they do (the output material feels like a very brittle plastic/cardboard):

[Sarbrienna]

Those things are cool, remember seeing a program about them on discovery channel or something once

[rxnixoncom]

We have a few sample products created by a 3D printer here at work, thoroughly impressive. We were so excited that the prototype would be physically implemented and dropped off the day after ordering them (usually prototypes take up to three weeks).

Danger danger,

This would not happen to be a PROJECT that you are MANAGING, is it?

[TyncTyncSah]

Very cool indeed. Have you seen the 3D printer that can replicate itself? This isn't a joke btw. Pretty amazing.

[gundas]

We have a few sample products created by a 3D printer here at work, thoroughly impressive. We were so excited that the prototype would be physically implemented and dropped off the day after ordering them (usually prototypes take up to three weeks).

Danger danger,

This would not happen to be a PROJECT that you are MANAGING, is it?

No. Low level manufacturing is too trivial for me to concern myself with. KIDDING!

[yharmon6614]

You could make a replica of yourself, only with the replica you could remove the penis off the forehead?

j/k btw, cool stuff, make something funny and show us!!!

[gundas]

You could make a replica of yourself, only with the replica you could remove the penis off the forehead?

j/k btw, cool stuff, make something funny and show us!!!

I'm dying to make a model of my ****, but something the size of a cup costs around £200 to print. Plus it would be an overnight job.

[ErubTiereedig]

I'm dying to make a model of my ****, but something the size of a cup costs around £200 to print. Plus it would be an overnight job.

so you´d be in the game with about £50 !!
j/k

Does anyone remember the vid about the 3d printer (which was homebuilt afair) that could reconstruct itself ?
heck i could probably google it, but meh,..

[rxnixoncom]

Does anyone remember the vid about the 3d printer (which was homebuilt afair) that could reconstruct itself ?
heck i could probably google it, but meh,..

Do you have Bazerlase ignored?

[gundas]

Do you have Bazerlase ignored?

I thought that was a default setting on these forums?

[ErubTiereedig]

Do you have Bazerlase ignored?

Damnit i missed his post,..
oh well, great minds think the same i guess [rofl]

[CesseOveldset]

3D printers are pretty cool. Our company has SLA rapid prototyping machines. Not the same, but they're really freakin cool. Unfortunately for me, they're in North Carolina, but you can usually get stuff in two days or so.

[JohnTruels]

I spy with my little eye, a car mud flap in this image.

And what looks like a turbo compressor wheel.

Am I right?

[oxinsnepe]

bet some day they will be a consumer product thats affordable and cheap.they sure are cool now

[bpejjssoe]

But can it make tea, earl grey, hot.

[CicyHannyCeli]

I spy with my little eye, a car mud flap in this image.

And what looks like a turbo compressor wheel.

Am I right?

I reckon so, and a car heater box.

DM, nice addition to the work toys - first hear of these about ten or fifteen years ago and was [shocked] - thought it was a BS post on an engineering site. Now they've dropped to almost affordable.
Surprised how slow it it, though, for a rapid prototyping tool

[gundas]

I spy with my little eye, a car mud flap in this image.

And what looks like a turbo compressor wheel.

Am I right?

No idea mate, I got that off Google. We make a lot of merchandising stuff for coca-cola, mars, guinness etc. I am under strict instructions not to show anything we have made as they are first of type prototypes.

Gordo - I know, it's a bit of a silly name. I suppose it's rapid compared to chiselling it out of polystyrene. It reminds me a bit of bees building a hive as it uses a wax solution as the structural support substance. You just wash/dissolve it off afterwards.

[CicyHannyCeli]

I was just amused by the 36 hour bit.
The usual uses of the 'rapid prototyping' I'm familiar with is for quick, accurate modelling of parts to check for fit and effectiveness (for example, checking CFD designs in a wind tunnel) without actually making the complete part and for pattern making.
They can have tight enough tolerances to make actual 'working' models, including ball and roller bearings!

It's astounding just how far the various technologies in so many fields have advanced in the last 25 years. Most of you youngsters take it for granted, but to us old farts, we'd never have believed a fraction of the things we now take for granted, if we'd been told about them, back then!
If the species survives, it's going to be interesting to see what the next 25 will bring!

[gundas]

Most of you youngsters take it for granted, but to us old farts, we'd never have believed a fraction of the things we now take for granted, if we'd been told about them, back then!

I'd never even heard of this kind of printing before. I'm impressed.

[XarokLasa]

They featured something like this on The Gadget Show a while ago. It was in a feature about amazing new technologies iirc.