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Best New 3D Printer

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sparky961:

--- Quote from: tom osselton on October 31, 2015, 06:57:07 PM ---I have a Makerbot Replicator 2x that I bought mainly because of the build capacity although pricey I'm happy with it but must say my cad needs improvement!

--- End quote ---

Interested in posting some pictures of the best/worst results you've obtained?

Pete49:
I have a Da Vinci printer and the only mod has been to use 1kg rolls of filament rather than their propriety product. Other than that I'm happy with the results and found it handy to make patterns for casting and fun stuff. I'm not that flash at 3d but then there are millions of files to look for available via the various sites like yeggi, thingiverse etc. As for making filament well yep even those options are available with machines starting around $700.
Pete

tom osselton:
Makerzine has plans for a filament extruder.

efrench:
They make the impossible, possible:
 
The gold colored part is a fan manifold with three legs (one hidden).

Here it is on the machine:


Here's a shot of a prototype ball joint.  It was done in PLA with .07mm layer heights. The ball bearing is 14mm.

nrml:

--- Quote from: sparky961 on October 31, 2015, 04:59:06 PM ---

To play the role of Devil's Advocate, which I do relish, there's still a huge gap between quality of printed model and price of machine.  At least, that's still my impression.  I'm sure the machines the big boys are using are well into the millions of dollars.  As I mentioned before, the print quality of hobby and self-built machines hasn't impressed me in the least.  Sure, if all you're after is something that moderately resembles the surfaces you designed and gives limited strength and durability, that's fine.  But add in the PITA factor keeping things running and I'm not sold.

Maybe someone will make a machine to turn all those water bottles people needlessly consume into 3D printer plastic extruder stock.  Then we can have a closed loop of "stuff" with questionable necessity.

On the other hand, I do love the idea of printing my own "stuff".  What sane person doesn't love "stuff" and the ability to print as much of it as they desire?


--- Quote from: tom osselton on October 31, 2015, 03:57:12 PM ---http://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/gadgets/?li=home 

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I'll have to look into this one next time I do come across a rather complex part to make through subtractive means.  I might even draw up a few things to test out their automatic pricing algorithms.

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That would depend on what you are making and what your expectations are. If you are looking at creating metal parts (or plastic parts for critical applications) with tolerances comparable to conventional machining, you are right it takes big bucks. On the other hand, if your needs are to create one off items in plastic cheaply and relatively quickly, you can't beat a 3D printer for convenience and versatility.

Strength and durability are relative to the application. For example, 3D printed herringbone gears used in extruders typically run for thousands of miles before needing replacement. If the tolerances and surface quality of this item was poor, you would have an extruder that would be completely unreliable. You also have the option of choosing from a range of materials with different properties to suit your application.

The quality of homebuilt FDM printers has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years. The better ones are close to approaching injection moulded quality as efrench has beautifully demonstrated with his ball joint (compare the printed plastic with the highly polished bearing). The caveat however is that quality is very dependant on the operator knowing the right settings to choose for the material, machine and finish required. This comes only with experimentation and learning from repeated failures.

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