[KwartzLab] 3D printers: recommendations?

[Jeff Schmidt]

Actually, there is such a thing.  Ponoko (the online laser cutting site) is (was?) attempting to start up a system exactly as you're describing.

- Jeff




>________________________________
> From: Tomasz Dysinski <oz at bunnybones.com>
>To: KwartzLab Public Discussion List <discuss at kwartzlab.ca> 
>Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 10:52:41 PM
>Subject: Re: [KwartzLab] 3D printers: recommendations?
> 
>
>Thanks Guys,
>
>The ultimaker seems like the best option now. I remember seeing prints at hacklabTO a couple months ago and they did look pretty spectacular. Is there a directory of registered 3D printers who act as on-demand printers? Maybe something doesn't exist, but I'm thinking of a sort of distributed 3D printing network so people can just get something printed. Naturally it'd be a website where you upload your file, pay a fee (or use a free voucher :)) and get matched up with the closest printer in their area (pick up time/location etc). I know the logistics might be more hassle than its worth, but until Kinko's hops on board, there really should be a way for people to find access to printers. More than the mythos of the self replicating fabber, I believe the mythos of distributed and decentralized manufacturing. I'd like to register on such a network once we get a printer.
>
>Tomasz
>
>
>
>On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 7:24 PM, doug moen <doug at moens.org> wrote:
>
>I would consider 3 models:
>>- the replicator, for the two heads. Haven't seen it, but makerbot has a good history and reputation. Two heads means either 2 colour output, or removable support material (which enables prints that are otherwise difficult or impossible). I still want to know if there is a problem with drooling when you use two heads (anybody?)
>>- the ultimaker, for very high resolution and super fast printing (which is required at those resolutions). The high res print photos are amazing.  HackLab.TO has one, and I'm planning to check it out. About $2000 all in.
>>- the printrbot, which is a good quality entry level printer at a really good price. A friend in Toronto has one on order, I'm planning to check it out. I've seen photos of some pretty good looking prints from it (it can do 100 microns on the Z axis, but is painfully slow at that resolution). The smaller model is $550 + shipping + duty.
>>
>>All of the above choices are open source and good value for the money, based on my research.
>>
>>We have a Mendel. Do not get a Mendel unless your primary purpose for having a 3D printer is fiddling with it to make it work better (as a research project), as opposed to actually using it as a tool. Or if you are attracted to the mythos of self replicating printers.
>>
>>
>>I have no real insight into Cubify. It is built by 3D Systems, who make professional and prosumer commercial 3D printers. It might be okay, but one of the forums is warning vaguely of DRM-like restrictions, overly expensive cartridges (not sure if they can be manually refilled), and less than impressive print quality, so more research is required. http://cubify.com/images/cubified/image2_large.jpg doesn't look that great to me, it's comparable to Mendel output after months of tuning.
>>
>>
>>And please share your experiences! I want to get a new printer for Kwartzlab.
>>
>>Doug Moen.
>>
>>
>>On 15 May 2012 16:24, Tomasz Dysinski <oz at bunnybones.com> wrote:
>>
>>Hey guys,
>>>
>>>I'm a bit of a lurker, but I thought I would inquire 
about 3D printers. My office in Toronto (Jam3) has been getting into 
installations and hardware, and during our last hack-day, while I was 
hacksawing and drilling aluminum to create a cradle for an arduino 
project, it dawned on me that we need a 3D printer. The makerbot 
replicator with dual heads looks tantalizing. Does anyone on this list 
have experience with this make/model? Is there another make/model that 
you would recommend for an office, for ease of use, precision, and good 
value?
>>>
>>>The ones we've been considering:
>>>http://cubify.com/cube/
>>>http://reprap.org/wiki/Mendel
>>>http://store.makerbot.com/replicator.html
>>>
>>>Sidenote: I figure we can print a batch of Mendel parts (of which I 
am a huge fan) as soon as we get any one machine first as I'd love to 
have one at home.
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Discuss mailing list
>>>Discuss at kwartzlab.ca
>>>http://kwartzlab.ca/mailman/listinfo/discuss_kwartzlab.ca
>>>
>>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Discuss mailing list
>>Discuss at kwartzlab.ca
>>http://kwartzlab.ca/mailman/listinfo/discuss_kwartzlab.ca
>>
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Discuss mailing list
>Discuss at kwartzlab.ca
>http://kwartzlab.ca/mailman/listinfo/discuss_kwartzlab.ca
>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://kwartzlab.ca/pipermail/discuss_kwartzlab.ca/attachments/20120515/3f6b2e53/attachment-0001.html>