3D printer buyers - how long before your 3D printer was on trademe? (a new hobby question...)

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › 3D printer buyers - how long before your 3D printer was on trademe? (a new hobby question...)

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MikeAqua

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#2010487 9-May-2018 09:42

My son 3D printed a go pro adaptor plate for his bike helmet, it seems to have lasted a couple of years.

Mike

neb

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#2011664 9-May-2018 12:58

FireEngine:
Talkiet:

it was that they are quite weak in comparison to other methods of production.

Is it really <just> a materials issue though? Or an inherent weakness in the 3D print process per se?

Yes.

It's a combination of the two, PLA isn't exactly the material of choice for fabricating anything that needs to last, and since the 3D printing process trades off resolution for printing time you can either get something that looks awfully 3D printed or takes forever to print. In addition since you can't do solids, unless you're willing to spend forever on some piece, things tend to be kinda brittle. Every 3D printed thing I've seen I felt like I needed to hold it with tweezers.

You can do better with high-end commercial-grade printers, particularly once you start getting into sintering machines which I wouldn't really class as 3D printers any more, but then you're paying the cost of a car or house for one.

Also, I'm somewhat biased, if I need something for active use I'll make it from 6061 aluminium :-).

frankv

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#2012784 9-May-2018 16:17

neb:
FireEngine:

Talkiet:

it was that they are quite weak in comparison to other methods of production.

Is it really <just> a materials issue though? Or an inherent weakness in the 3D print process per se?

Yes. It's a combination of the two, PLA isn't exactly the material of choice for fabricating anything that needs to last

Really? Where did you get that from? I have a number of things that have been out in the weather for 2+ years, with no visible deterioration (apart from the colour bleaching).

, and since the 3D printing process trades off resolution for printing time you can either get something that looks awfully 3D printed or takes forever to print.

Quite true. However the "3D-printed look" (and weakness of the product) is as much to do with badly configured printers.

In addition since you can't do solids, unless you're willing to spend forever on some piece, things tend to be kinda brittle.

Right. But why would you want to do solids? An object with a truss-structure inside will be lighter, cheaper, and quicker to make. And it can be engineered to be "strong enough", for whatever definition of that you want to use.

Every 3D printed thing I've seen I felt like I needed to hold it with tweezers.

If you come round to my place, I can show you my 3D-printed gate latch mount. (It's been out in the weather for 2 years too). Or numerous 3D-printed items that you can stand on without damaging them. (I can also show you a bunch of stuff that barely hangs together that was printed with a sloppy or badly calibrated printer).

Dingbatt

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#2012957 9-May-2018 20:49

I have had my printer for at least three years.
It scratches a design itch for me. I like taking things from concept to final build as much for the challenge as anything.
I've done things like a car phone mount that incorporated a wireless charger and even built a replacement glovebox catch for my old Mondeo that Ford wanted to charge me $65 dollars for.
The printer might sit unused for a couple of months, but then get regular use while I sort my way through a design.
I have prototyped a couple of fittings for a friend's yacht that he then got cast.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

andrewNZ

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#2012968 9-May-2018 21:16

I've been watching 3d printers for quite some time. They have definately come a long way in the last couple of years.
If the [censored] seller ever sends it, I have a Tevo little monster coming.

Edit: bad grandma

richms

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#2012978 9-May-2018 21:36

I have an ultimaker. Occasionally I give it another go, end up disappointed as it peels off the heated bed which the heat is supposed to stop happening, the filament jams and the stupid thing has no idea (even a $20 inkjet can detect if there is no paper) and the slicer is super picky with STLs that the propper 3d printer at work is totally happy to print - things like edges and holes in the model need you to fix it in other gharish ugly crash prone software that does that thing where they make it for multiple platforms so it works poorly on all of them.

Richard rich.ms

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andrewNZ

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#2012987 9-May-2018 21:49

From what I can tell, 3d printers aren't for people who want something that just works. They appear to require a fair bit of learning and tuning.

Ive done a lot of reading/watching. I'm both semihopeful that my first print will be successful, and certain I'll have some serious failures.

frankv

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#2013401 10-May-2018 13:48

richms:

... and the slicer is super picky with STLs that the propper 3d printer at work is totally happy to print ...

Um... why don't you just use the same slicer as you do at work?

richms

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#2013500 10-May-2018 16:47

frankv:
richms:

... and the slicer is super picky with STLs that the propper 3d printer at work is totally happy to print ...

Um... why don't you just use the same slicer as you do at work?

Because it only works with the 3d systems printers and is licensed.

Richard rich.ms

frankv

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#2013576 10-May-2018 19:55

Oh, OK.

I have a bunch of different tools I use in different situations; for slicing, mostly Slic3r, occasionally Cura. They've both had regular updates over the last couple of years.

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