3D Printing ... it's the future!

Wow, this is an exciting development, and I predict that, for hobbyists, 3D printing is going to be the next big thing to get excited about. MakerBot are releasing a 3D desktop printer, aimed at the professional, hobbyist market.



MakerBot - Replicator 2

There is so much potential for having one of these 3D printers:

* AirFix type Model kits
* Figures
* Toys
* LEGO-Style parts
* Utensils (assuming the bio plastic is food-safe)
* Tools
* Replacement parts

Tutorial videos - Replicator 2 - Tutorials
The software - MakerWare
Models - Thing Universe 3D models

Finally, a video showing how it works - Replicator 2 - How it works

Pretty exciting stuff!

I've seen a couple of those 3D printers myself, they are really impressive, but, I don't buy the whole "One of these printers on every desk", for manufacturing people or designers will be indeed a great tool, but not for the average user, I mean, I need to spend $2000+ on one of those things to "print" a plastic cup?, I could just get a bag of 50 cups for 99 cents.

For 3D artists, this is a great tool. I'm very active on a 3D forum and there are some active threads about this. For the moment, they are quite expensive for 'home' use, but so was a colour laser printer 10 years ago .

I would like to have such a thing one day, just to play with it and make my own toys.

I would like to have such a thing one day, just to play with it and make my own toys

Click to expand...

Indeed. This type of equipment appeals to our creative urges. Back in my day we had rubber moulds and plaster cast. 3D printing is the next major evolution in home-made creation, extending to lots of areas which make the whole thing more appealing.
Knowing that it is within your power to design something and have it physically created is an exciting thought.

There's one being sold for $499... the Solidoodle 2. It would be worth checking in on their Google group to see how things are getting on with their delivery backlog and small QA issues first.

With over 70 different 3D printers at the last Maker Faire in New York I can see them getting very cheap. See: MAKE | Maker Faire New York: 3D Printer Census 2012

It's amazing some of the thing they are making with them. Everything from robot parts Student at University of Arizona builds complex hexapod robot - YouTube to headphones MAKE | Teague Labs 13:30 Printable Headphones.

3D Printers

Hi,

I have been reading up on 3D printing the past couple of months.
There are many different machines and it is all quite interesting.

If you were going to design your own 3D parts, which Mechanical
CAD software package(s) would you recommend for designing parts?

I like the Hadron Ordbot machine and the Solidoodle 2 & 3 machines.
I also like the Makergear M2 machine and the Bukobot machines.

I am trying to decide which one to get. Has anyone used any of
the above 3D printers? Can anyone recommend a particular machine?