Best DIY 3D Printer?

[GWestphal]

Does anyone here have one or keep up with them? Which technology is the best? Are there any that have 12"x12"x12" build sizes? Are there any DIYs that use support materials?


Moved back to OT. My bad.
admin allisolm

 

[SKORPI0]

http://www.gizmag.com/makerbot-thing-o-matic--the-diy-3d-printer/17516/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MakerBot_Industries

 

[drebo]

gizmag, really?

 

[Leros]

Makerbot probably sells one of the most refined kits, but the build area isn't very big (80x80mm or 100x100m with a few modifications).

RepRap (http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap) is an open source 3d printer design that has a few defined designs. You can modify the designs and make one any size you want. (For what its worth, Makerbot is just a heavily modified RepRap)

The modern RepRap design is the Prusa Mendel (about an 8x8 inch build area). You can source your own parts and build one for about $600 or you can buy a well put together kit for $825 from MakerGear. http://www.makergear.com/products/3d-printers

I don't know of any kits for a larger build area, but I've seen plenty of people building them. For example, here is a custom 18"x15" version: http://www.grassrootsengineering.com/blog/mymachine/

 

[janas19]

What material is the RepRap set up to use out of the box? Anyone know?

 

[Leros]

What material is the RepRap set up to use out of the box? Anyone know?

ABS and PLA.

 

[janas19]

Thanks.

 

[videogames101]

I've built a Makerbot and they work pretty well after calibration, however the build size is limited.

 

[SKORPI0]

gizmag, really?

Care to add something useful in this thread? :whiste:

 

[drebo]

Care to add something useful in this thread? :whiste:

I was going to add that it's a really neat looking piece of equipment. Custom extrusions like that could be really fun.

Couldn't get over the name of the site, though.

 

[SKORPI0]

Well I love tinkering with things like this. Looks like I'll have to save $$$ and stop buying stuff I don't need/have a use for. ^_^

 

[Leros]

Makerbot just came out with their new 3d printer. It has a larger build area (approx 9"x6"). It also has dual extruders for two colors or two materials (support material!?)

Too bad its $1700.

http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.html

 

[videogames101]

Makerbot just came out with their new 3d printer. It has a larger build area (approx 9"x6"). It also has dual extruders for two colors or two materials (support material!?)

Too bad its $1700.

http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.html

The ability to use support material is a huge deal in 3D printing.

 

[Leros]

The ability to use support material is a huge deal in 3D printing.

Yup. Its very exciting.

 

[videogames101]

I can say the biggest issues I experienced while working with the old makerbot was the tendency of the plastic to ooze from the nozzle despite the fact that the extruder had been turned off, and the tendency for the plastic to take about half a second to start extruding after the extruder had been turned on. You end up with strings and empty spaces in your parts. There are lots of software tweaks that you can do to minimize the issue, but I had a very difficult time overcoming it with my particular makerbot.

 

[Leros]

I can say the biggest issues I experienced while working with the old makerbot was the tendency of the plastic to ooze from the nozzle despite the fact that the extruder had been turned off, and the tendency for the plastic to take about half a second to start extruding after the extruder had been turned on. You end up with strings and empty spaces in your parts. There are lots of software tweaks that you can do to minimize the issue, but I had a very difficult time overcoming it with my particular makerbot.

The new models have stepper motors on the extruders, which pretty much solves that problem.

 

[paperfist]

Makerbot just came out with their new 3d printer. It has a larger build area (approx 9"x6"). It also has dual extruders for two colors or two materials (support material!?)

Too bad its $1700.

http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.html

Multiple colors is something new? I don't remember them being able to do that before.

So who wants to make me some stuff with their printer?

 

[Leros]

Multiple colors is something new? I don't remember them being able to do that before.

So who wants to make me some stuff with their printer?

Considering how long printing actually takes, nobody... unless you pay

 

[LordMorpheus]

There's also Fab@Home, developed by another lab here a few years ago.

http://www.fabathome.org/

 

[paperfist]

Considering how long printing actually takes, nobody... unless you pay

Ah I knew there would be a catch

What kind of CAD software do these printers use for designs?

 

[videogames101]

Ah I knew there would be a catch

What kind of CAD software do these printers use for designs?

Anything that can export to .STL, which is most everything.

 

[Leros]

Anything that can export to .STL, which is most everything.

I've used Google Sketchup because its free. I've used much better CAD programs, but they're pretty expensive.