Pretty 3D printer things...

[Darkflame]

I was always aware of 3d printing and thought it was pretty cool.

I wasn't aware online services were now this ahead now and some designs people are making this pretty;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imateri...7624526901973/


This one is made from a medical scan of a bone;




You can even get full colour printing now too for some materials (taken straight from the 3d models texture maps);

Some are just freaky;



From various competitions on this company's blog;
http://i.materialise.com/blog/

Their prices seem ok, but I'd need something a bit special before I consider using one of my own 3d models with them.

Still, I think its pretty darn cool technology now. Its really a "We are living in the frecking future!" style moment for me. I mean, some of the shapes you can design and print would be practically impossible to make any other way. Not quite replicators, but practically the same result.
I can easily see Amazon or someone quickly offering bespoke services for all sorts of products. (and perhaps in a few years you will see 3d printers popping up in towns).

And this is just the professional/online sales stuff.
If you want to build your own printer, some versions you can get for 600euros or so;
http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

And thats a 3d printer that can print 50% of its parts for another, identical, 3d printer...and the next version will be able to print a higher percentage (including circuit boards).
The idea is you can print parts of the next machine from yours if a friend wants one - making it cheaper for everyone.

[LBAWinOwns]

That's cool!

[SpaceGuitarist]

Originally Posted by Darkflame

And thats a 3d printer that can print 50% of its parts for another, identical, 3d printer...and the next version will be able to print a higher percentage (including circuit boards).
The idea is you can print parts of the next machine from yours if a friend wants one - making it cheaper for everyone.

Wha-??
Sounds like 'the future' to me, indeed.


This brings us so much possibilities (with a few fixes, I could print LBA models right? hmmm... ). I wasn't aware it evolved so much. Last time I checked 3D printers they were capable of sculpting a cup or a plate...!

[Darkflame]

Yeah, I was thinking of LBA models too :P
They will have to be cleaned up to be made solid, and given a base (assuming you want them to stand up), but should be pretty easy.
That website even lets you upload to preview and gives you a price based on size and material.

[Polaris]

That means we could make any object.... Could we even print cars this way, if we know what pieces we need ?

[Darkflame]

...and have a big enough printer.

But its been done, sort of;
http://www.urbee.net/home/

[Darkflame]

This is also pretty cool;

http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/electronics

Similar site, but they also deal with custom built electronics, putting custom hardware into 3d printed or lazer-cut designs.
Not quite sure how it all works, but seems pretty amazing we can get products completely bespoke in both form and function.

[sarawinslet1]

Its really very interesting and amazing and i like it.

[Odysseus]

http://www.shapeways.com/

This is Dutch company...but its all so cheap I bet they let stuff be printed in China or something. I should find that out...since lot of Asia does not have much with respecting copyright. Hehe, would be a briliant plan tho...setting up a 3d print service so people send you their best designs while they pay for it. :P
Nha, just paranoia I guess.

I think I'll design some miniatures this winter and print them when I made a few that go well together.

[Jasiek]

Ok then dammit, I'm building a reprap...!!!

[Darkflame]

If you build one, expect me to be ordering parts for one off you in a years time :P