3D Printing

[andrew_s]

By coincidence, Aldi are selling a 3D printer for £299 in this coming Thursday's Specialbuy
https://www.aldi.co.uk/balco-3d-printer/p/081171187467900
(online only, looks like)

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I'm doing 3d part design at work and getting the printing done via 3DHubs.
It's fun and relatively cheap, with all sorts of materials being developed.

If we find the right printer we'll be getting one. Choosing is a bit if a minefield.

 

[Trekster]

I have a 3D printer, it’s just for fun, I’ve had it about a month and printed a load of things from www.thingiverse.com, there’s go-pro type stuff on there.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

BTW If anyone wants to dabble in the design side of things: FreeCAD is ace. Not very forgiving if you want to make changes, and a bit loopy with DXF imports, but let's face it - it's free!!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I just bought one of these http://tinyurl.com/q4q3drv well made arrived in couple of days (I was expecting it to come from China)

Thank you very much, I've just bought one off Amazon for the same price, but the benefit is that I get another delivery from Amazon which as I see it is payback for their sneaky Prime sign-up methods

 

[PhilDawson8270]

BTW If anyone wants to dabble in the design side of things: FreeCAD is ace. Not very forgiving if you want to make changes, and a bit loopy with DXF imports, but let's face it - it's free!!

Fusion360 is a far better free option.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

It designed correctly, and printed well 3D parts can be pretty strong if loaded correctly.

I’m a mechanical design engineer who works primarily with fire fighting nozzles for professional use.

We regularly flow water through 3D printed prototypes with only minor touch up needed. As a professional tool it’s been fantastic, in the home with I experienced users. There’s still a steep learning curve and I wouldn’t say they’re ready for mass market yet.

But it’s changing every year

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Fusion360 is a far better free option.

Not seen that one. I'll give it a go

 

[palinurus]

My local library now has a maker space with a couple of 3D printers - haven't properly investigated it yet and I've no idea whether there are lots of these around or if we are unusual- or I did have no idea until just now, looked it up here

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

There are now quite a few parts that used to be cnc machined being made by 3d printers for aerospace use.

 

[JhnBssll]

3D printer is pretty much finished now, just waiting on delivery of a fan to cool the extruded material a bit quicker but it's working pretty well. I've tidied up the wiring and put an old CAD workstation in the garage alongside it so I can play about in the mancave to my hearts content I've also ordered a smart turbo and installed Zwift on the PC so will be using that when the weather is grim whilst waiting for parts to print Living the dream

mancave

• JhnBssll
• 27 Nov 2017

 

[hoopdriver]

There are some wonderful things that can be done with commercial 3-D printers. That’s really more the future of the technology - taking your designs to commercial printers to have things made - rather than doing it yourself at home. Home printing is just for novelty stuff.