Home 3D Printer

[Tandum]

Looks like a 3d Printer for home has arrived in Oz for around $1K.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZl58Q4IXgs&feature=player_embedded#!

http://3dprintingsystems.com/products/up-mini-3d-printer/

[scagman]

Awesome. I really like the idea of printing your own component boxes etc.
Break a piece off your nice new tamiya model before you even get a chance to put it together. No problem. So much potentiel, so much fun.

[MrB]

I started to build one years ago, got the X-Y table done and shelved it, not enough time :(
1k for a ready-to-go machine, with software and support is hard to beat!

[Tandum]

What I didn't realise is that they can print full working models. In the latest Qi TV show, Stephen Fry had one of these 3D printed sandbeest models, (http://www.shapeways.com/shops/theojansen) which operated straight off the printer after adding a propeller.

[dugnsuz]

They've got 2-3 of this type of tech at my son's high school - very impressive as to what can be produced.

[Chif]

We've got one at work and are in the process of getting it approved to produce panels and things for aircraft. It's a pretty revolutionary piece of equipment!

[jjjnettie]

I'm totally in love with this technology.
So much so, that I'm pushing my youngest son to get into the field of design. It's the way of the future. Buying a design off the net to print out at home.
We'll be printing off anything from shoes to sculptures to fancy cornices for our homes. The sky is literally the limit. :)

[TrevorW]

Replicators

[trent_julie]

I've owned one for a few months now and I can say that they are excellent. I have designed my own electronic enclosures, training aids and much more. I am even printing parts for my solar auto guiders which are distributed around the world. The printers are so versatile!

Trent

[Poita]

The Solidoodle 3D printer is similar and is available for about $600.

All of them are very exciting and a lot of fun, but it isn't a print-n-go tech yet, you have to treat them as an industrial type beast, similar to a CNC or other piece of gear that takes knowledge, care and regular maintenance to get the most out of it and to keep them running.
If you accept the limitations it is truly amazing being able to print your own parts.

[Poita]

Link:
http://store.solidoodle.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=56

There is a negative review of this printer, but it is from a goose that doesn't understand the required care and maintenance of this type of device.

[Osirisra]

I'm seriously eyeballing the MakerBot Replicator 2

The 2X would be nice but over 3 g's and not available till next year I think the 2 will do. Just not sure about only being able to use PLA as it gets soft in high temps and can be brittle.

Any one had any experience with PLA compared to ABS?

[Osirisra]

I pulled the trigger...now to wait 5 weeks.

[Poita]

I had trouble with an older printer that used PLA, it was extremely picky with the slightest temp change causing issues with the models and finished parts would go soft. YMMV.

[Osirisra]

Finished items easily go soft? That what I'm afraid of, don't want to build something then it go sloppy. What PLA did you use.

Hope I didn't buy a dud ;/

[bartman]

I might for the v2.0, when it can do metal models:D:P:D:P:D:P
Otherwise awesome :eyepop:
Cheers
Bartman

[acropolite]

Just to bump this thread, Sean Tasker of Emblem Robotics has kits available ($749) having spent the past 12 months improving and debugging the design.

Sean is the son of a long time friend and work collegue (David). Between the two they have improved the design and made the original design more robust. Sean has taken the time to evaluate and select the best software.

The Emblem Robotics system uses ABS

I've seen these kits in the flesh, the most impressive thing is that the ABS components themselves are printed (by Sean in Australia), almost all the plastic you see in the design is printed. I've also seen quite a few objects printed, I'd imagine once the printer was finished and working the most difficult part would be compiling the drawing files to print from.
I think I want one....

http://emblemrobotics.com/products/

[Osirisra]

My Replicator is awesome! being able to design and print anything you can imagine is just the bees knees. One of the best investments I've made ever.