3-D printers

[aquarius]

Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of these.
I read about one in Popular Science, a 5000 dollar one that makes stuff up to 5" by 5" by 5".

:eek: gets idea :eek:

What if we made 3-D files with something like Google Sketchup and made our own minis!!!!! Now that would be cool.

Note: I am not affiliated in any way with any of the companies I just mentioned.

[Vornargith]

There is an interesting Japanese shareware application called PEPAKURA.

http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/

It takes 3d images and converts them into printable patterns that can be cut out and folded into actual paper models. Texture images can be applied to them as well.

Some Star Wars gamers online have made really awesome models using it.

[The_Lucky_Y]

Hmm seems to be cheaper end easier to make scratch build models....

[SSGShadow]

I have heard of the 3D printers and have seen the results which ase awesome! I am in the CAD industry and have experience in 3D modeling. I would need to check with the Sketchup program as I don't recall right now, but the 3D printers require that your 3D geometry be created and exported as a "solid" model where Sketchup creates 3D surface "face" geometry. You may be able to export it out.

The 3D printers can then print the 3D models out using Resin, sugar water, layers of paper, and some other types of compounds. I am guessing that it may be more expensive to do it this way rather than pulling out the styrene and scratch building a few.

[aquarius]

I know, but just think....

No more waiting for AH to come out with new models. Just build whichever one you choose with professional quality and then send them to panzerpainter to get them painted. (no offense any on you great scratchbuilders like AKI, it's just that I can't scratch build for my life.)

Now wouldn't that be cool.

[Vornargith]

It would be cool, but 3d modeling is not as easy as it looks. And alas ... the boss-lady would probably divorce me if I brought home a 5G printer ... the judge would totally be on her side.

[doganpc]

The nice thing about the printer is that you only have to spend the time to make the model once. Every extra print only cost materials instead of time+

Doganpc
written with psp

[Taisho Bo]

errr, I'm almost hesitant to admit..

.. but I have a really good 3D printer at work. (0,05mm accuracy, machine costs about $100.000) :o (I'm a product designer, I use it daily)
It's new a photopolymer type machine.
A few drawbacks; the material is pretty expensive, and the machine overhead aswell, so one was BB would cost the company about $15. Ofcourse the machine is not meant for private use. But, if I had some 3D ship models with the right resolution, I can see what I can do.
3D ship models anyone?

(http://www.2objet.com/Misc/Gallery/tabid/70/Default.aspx)
(I saw this potential before too, but just kept quiet..)

Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of these.
I read about one in Popular Science, a 5000 dollar one that makes stuff up to 5" by 5" by 5".

:eek: gets idea :eek:

What if we made 3-D files with something like Google Sketchup and made our own minis!!!!! Now that would be cool.

Note: I am not affiliated in any way with any of the companies I just mentioned.

[Vornargith]

You could check out turbosquid.com

[Taisho Bo]

You could check out turbosquid.com

nothing usefull in the free section

[EvilKobra]

nothing usefull in the free section

The non-free section, however, has (among other things) beautiful models of Graf Zeppelin and Nagato...

I'll have to look into this.

BTW Bo, out of curiosity, do you have a patent number for the machine?

[Dragonman505]

Hello, check out <reprap .org>. There are plans and shareware for a 3D printer that you can build for under $500.00. I am fascinated by this and will probably try to build one in the moderately distant future.

[Taisho Bo]

The non-free section, however, has (among other things) beautiful models of Graf Zeppelin and Nagato...
I'll have to look into this.
BTW Bo, out of curiosity, do you have a patent number for the machine?

its an eden 250. what do you mean by patent number? I'm sure its technology is patented but does that matter. or do you mean serial number? It surely has that too but does that matter? or are an importer?

[EvilKobra]

Well, I was curious to have a look at the innards and capabilities of the machine, and patent documents are far better than commercial brochures for that sort of thing. Unfortunately, trademarks or product names rarely appear in patent applications so I can't search by "Eden 250".

I suppose I can just filter by "Objet"...

Edit: I just did, came up with 44 hits, out of which at least 38 are related to this system... niceness! Some reading material for this evening ;-)

[Taisho Bo]

if you have questions about its operation in practice, you can let me know..

[aquarius]

Anyone found anything yet?