39 replies to this topic

[nev_payne]

Hi all,

I've been following 3D printing tech for a while now, and it's matured to a point where items of any shape can be made with relatively small expenditure, with variying strengths or malleability of materials, and numbers of suppliers competing with each other.

What is 3D Printing? 3D Printing is taking what you and I would perceive as a large desktop printer (up to floor-standing size), but allowing for solid objects to be manufactured line by line, with the use of the "ink", in this case tiny beads (down to the nano-metre) of the materials required. Printing can range from solid objects, hollowed out shapes, and even fully working gear sets or rapid prototype machines. You can even print another 3D printer (or I'd imagine, a model, to full sized Mini). An example below, using ABS grade medium, printing several adjustable wrenches:



Wiki article:
https://en.wikipedia...iki/3D_printing

While I haven't researched prices or parts viable that we find difficult to get hold of these days, I think as a forum we could get this moving. Just putting the idea out there for now, I'll be reading up on the materials and UK based 3D Printers out there this weekend. Any thoughts?

Cheers.

Edited by nev_payne, 10 May 2012 - 01:27 PM.

[coopdog]

hmmmmm somethings fishy about this

[R1minimagic]

I've seen this technique used on tv a few times, it is very interesting but i imagine very expensive at the moment, sounds like something we will see a lot more of in the future though

[bcjames]

My friend has a 3D printer and uses it to make the moving parts in prototypes he makes. It's really cool, files are sent between them and they can print the parts out as designs evolve and try them. It would be amazing to get to the point where we could order parts and make them without waiting for a delivery time from stock or a factory.

I can't see the video, but if its the scan reproduction one, I can't see how they made moving parts without telling it what they were.

[nev_payne]

hmmmmm somethings fishy about this

How so? It's a current trending technology...

BCJames, it's CAD input rather than scan so you get all the moving parts advantages.

Edited by nev_payne, 10 May 2012 - 01:06 PM.

[R1minimagic]

Any examples of production parts already being made this way?

[nev_payne]

I'm looking into it, certainly over the weekend and get something together. Just posted to see if anyone else had gone down the same road. Stay tuned I'll get onto it

[Deathrow]

I suppose it depends what sort of parts you're considering making.

I saw a video on YouTube where a guy printed a fully working ball bearing. The balls were printed inside the races so there wasn't any way for it to come apart. Of course, the materials being used mean it's only good for display.

It is an interesting tech, I'd be interested in seeing what you come up with for prices and stuff. I imagine it would vary greatly depening on the size of the item you want to print. I doubt complexity really matters so much.

[coopdog]

hmmmmm somethings fishy about this

How so? It's a current trending technology...

BCJames, it's CAD input rather than scan so you get all the moving parts advantages.

i didnt watch the vid, i thought it was one i seen before
the one i seen the guy had a wrench scanned it then it printed it :L
the wrench was different haha

[animale]

Metal 3d printing.......it's here

[Ethel]

You'd have to think metal printing was asking to be devised with TIG welding already about. Don't they make Turbines by the opposite approach: spark erosion on a lump of material?

There are some pretty cheap routes into 3D already being pushed in the education sector.

[Black.Ghost]

This is very impressive. I did see about 3D printing some time ago - it was being used to reproduce scale models etc but it was nothing as advanced as this.

If they can make stuff that is strong enough, and can be fully tested first, I can't see why it can't be used to reproduce lost parts. Having said that, it would require one of the mainstream Mini suppliers to invest some serious money - it would be interesting to see what kind of return they would see from such equipment.

[nev_payne]

Yeah there's cheap routes but these (as you say for educational Design/Technology classrooms) are more the rapid-prototyping machines, something that can fit on a desk touch with the strength/dexterity needed simply to hold it together, rather than something of any practical use.

Edited by nev_payne, 10 May 2012 - 02:56 PM.

[The Matt]

stereolithography is a great fun tool. Technology like this and multi-axis machining are becoming more readily available and also cheaper.

I've also recently started to use a laser scanner, it's more for A/C stuff that I'm involved with, but I keep thinking about how handy it would be to scan a Mini body shell with all of its brackets/mounts/holes etc for designing things like replacement subframes in CAD. It's a brilliant tool!

[The Matt]

There's a dentist local to me that uses a 6-axis machine and a laser scanner to make crowns and replacement dentures apparently!