3D printing service in NZ ?

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Mark

1615 posts

Uber Geek

#109494 20-Sep-2012 16:43

Hi,

Does anyone know of a decent but cheap 3D printing service in NZ ? I've a specific part I need to have made as I can't find any replacements.

I'd love to get a Makerbot and do it myself but budget doesn;t quite go that far :-)

Thanks!

Mark

kiwipawl

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#688935 20-Sep-2012 16:48

Try these guys.

http://www.ponoko.com/

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

mattwnz

19388 posts

Uber Geek

#688937 20-Sep-2012 16:50

Can they produce durable spare parts yet? I think they tend to mainly print in plastic, which maybe not that durable or strong. I think their main use at the moment is for making models.

kiwipawl

273 posts

Ultimate Geek

#688946 20-Sep-2012 17:02

I am not sure re the durables parts.

Ring them and ask I am sure they will be able to recommend someone if they can't

sleemanj

1474 posts

Uber Geek

#689475 21-Sep-2012 14:40

mattwnz: Can they produce durable spare parts yet? I think they tend to mainly print in plastic, which maybe not that durable or strong. I think their main use at the moment is for making models.

Not to hijack the thread, but..

3d printers generally print in ABS or PLA plastics. The strength of a part depends on your design, and the materials (and of course setup of the printer). Nothing to say your part can not be very strong. I'd say potentially the largest use of 3d printers at the moment, by volume, is probably printing parts for 3d printers ;-)

To me, the biggest downfall with them all though, is that 3d design is HARD, let alone good 3d design. At least for my brain it is.

A common selling point of 3d printers is the "hey I just broke a part on something, now I can just print a new one", which is silly, because designing the new part, accurately, to fit your specification, even if you're looking at the old one in front of you and have a micrometer in your hand, is just far far far far far far far far FAR too difficult for the average Joe who doesn't want to spend a year or two learning how to effectively drive a parametric cad system.

The software interface simplicity just isn't there.

As for the OP's question. I recall a fellow on trademe in Nelson I think who was/is selling printed parts for printers, perhaps see if he can do a custom job for you, search on trademe maybe it's still there.

NB: I don't have a printer myself, it's just on the list of things I would like to play with one day but can't justify the cost.

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

Mark

1615 posts

Uber Geek

#689490 21-Sep-2012 15:02

Thanks for the pointer ... I'll have a look and see how much it'll cost me, luckily it's not very big or complicated :-)

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#689494 21-Sep-2012 15:07

Try talking to a local engineering firm as well, it may be that 3d printing is not the best way to go anyway and that something can be knocked up the old fashioned way :)