3D Printers

[Mach7]

I just found out about this technology last week...never knew it exsisted...in fact when the F/O told me about it on one of our pairings, I had to google it the next morning to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

Not ever having seen a finished product...I would think this type of tech is every builders dream!. I send a bunch of cad drawings to our local University last week (they just purchased a Makerobt Replicator 2, and charge 1 dollar per build hour) to make my flight instrument bezels....if they turn out as advertised I might have to get me one of these units.

Anybody else have experience with 3D printers?

[sagrada737]

Hello James,

Yep...   3D Printing technology is here.  In fact, you can buy a 3D Printer Kit for less than $1K.  However, buying the printer is only the tip of the iceberg - always is.   There are issues of printing resolution and printing media that place limits on producing useable parts.  The lower end units are great for visualizing concepts, but they lack  the flexibility to do more than make likeness of parts.  The price tag goes up from there for more flexibility and capability climbing toward thousands of dollars for high-resolution 3D printing.  This kind of flexible technology doesn't come cheap.

Then there is the whole arena of CAD/CAM software (not exactly cheap either) that goes along with actually getting to the point where you can make a 3D printer do anything at all.  This comes with its own learning curve, that includes 2D and 3D solid modeling and CAM software that speaks the language of the 3D printer.  Nothing impossible here, but if you are not familiar with CAD/CAM, the learning curve can be very steep in order to realize complex parts.

That said, I wish I had a 3D printer, but what I don't need right now is another major project and learning curve to add to the mix while I try to finish up my Sim Project.  Different strokes for everyone of course, so I encourage you to lead the way and let us know how you make out with 3D printing.

My experience with these sort of promising technology is that the cool factor overshadows the reality.  Here is an interesting blog on 3D Printing that you might find interestng. 
http://gizmodo.com/why-3d-printing-is-overhyped-i-should-know-i-do-it-fo-508176750

Of course, the manufactures of 3D printers will tell you an entirely different story.  Like most "bleedign edge" technology, one needs to wade into the water with a degree of caution.

Mike

[Mach7]

Hello sagrada737,

I hear what you are saying and read the attached article.

Although negatives that he had to say are warrented, they do not really effect my direction as I understand that plastic is the only material for build, and the items that I intend to make will not have the strength due to the 'layered' build assembly.

Although most CAD programs require a course...i use google Sketchup 8...it is a free download and very intuituve to use...all you need to do is download a free extention to place your build in a downloadable .STL file for printing prep.

I have used Sketchup for years and have designed most of my sim using it.

Here is an example of what I intend to produce with 3d printing, it is one of many flight instrument bezels which will be painted after production;


I have sent 12 items to the local University here so we will see the finished product...if I like what I see then I have many small items that I could utilize this for.

[sagrada737]

Bravo James...  It looks like you have found a path to get what you need from 3D Printing.  Those kind of "panel parts" would be a good application for 3D printing.  Keep us posted on your progress, as I too believe 3D printing shows promise for certain aspects of Sim building.

Mike

[geneb]

I've got five 3D printers just hanging out, waiting to do something cool. (long story)

If you have something you want printed, PM me.
I can do design work in SolidWorks and Inventor.



http://www.geneb.org/rostock-max/geneb-orange-menace.jpg

g.

[Sam Franklin]

How much would you charge for that?

[geneb]

Umm....for what?

g.

[Mach7]

Geneb

Thank you very much for the offer...and I might just take you up on it. Right now I am waiting a response from the local University up here in Halifax, I send them 12 items that I designed in Sketchup 8...and hopefully they can accomplish what I need....but if not I will definitley PM you!

Looking at your attachment you seem to have all the bells and whistles to make just about anything:)

-Jim

[Mach7]

geneb

Just looked over your F-15C page...wow!! very nice work. Did you utilize your printer for some of the parts?

[Sam Franklin]

Umm....for what?

g.

For 3d printing

[geneb]

Umm....for what?

g.

For 3d printing

Well yeah, but WHAT specific 3D part are you asking about?

g.

[geneb]

Geneb

Thank you very much for the offer...and I might just take you up on it. Right now I am waiting a response from the local University up here in Halifax, I send them 12 items that I designed in Sketchup 8...and hopefully they can accomplish what I need....but if not I will definitley PM you!

Looking at your attachment you seem to have all the bells and whistles to make just about anything:)

-Jim

Sketchup is going to be a problem for them unless they've got some seriously good STL export tools.  Sketchup is a great tool for what it does, but it's not so hot for doing actual part designs.  For a free package, I'd recommend DesignSpark Mechanical.  It's based on SpaceClaim and you can download it for free from http://www.designspark.com/page/mechanical.

The photo is of Orange Menace, the machine I built when I was writing the 2nd edition of the Rostock MAX assembly manual.  The other ones are Blue Max (http://www.geneb.org/rostock-max/blue-max-done.jpg) and Red Sonja (http://www.geneb.org/rostock-max/red-sonja.jpg).  I've also got a LulzBot TAZ and a SeeMeCNC Orion.

One thing about 3D printers - get used to thinking in SI units.   I've never seen one that could take imperial measure parts without having a fit.

g.

[geneb]

geneb

Just looked over your F-15C page...wow!! very nice work. Did you utilize your printer for some of the parts?

Thanks!

The funny thing is I originally got the Rostock MAX back in December '12 to make parts for the F-15 and other sim projects.  Unfortunately, I fell into a 3D printing rabbit hole that led to insanity like this: http://www.geneb.org/rostock-max/Rostock-MAX-Assembly-Guide.pdf and going from one printer to five in less than a year.

This has resulted in printing a grand total of 8 parts for the sims. *laughs*

I talk about some of the parts I made in these two posts:
http://www.f15sim.com/?p=272
http://www.f15sim.com/?p=267

The flight control parts have been re-done to use 2 LM8UU linear bearings each and the bearing carriers now grip the bearings around 270 degrees instead of 180.

I think the coolest thing I've printed yet was a 1:1 model of a Spitfire MkV flight grip a guy in .au sent me.  You can see pics of that here: http://geneb.simpits.org/

g.