3d printing

I just got my makerbot today, and will start assembling it after the big game, and I thought this would be the perfect place for ideas of what to make and test print.

 

I just looked this up, this sounds cool. Could it make a replacement top bezel for over the keyboard that has the hotkeys icons pre-etched in it?

Forgive my ignorance, I just started reading on it! But it sounds uber-cool!

OR:
How about a corner piece for the GPS antenna. I you could build a prototype, the rest could be cast in a mold made from it.

 

I was at a design firm the other day and the owner was "Helping" his grandson with his PineBox Derby car by making body panels and more.

Just one idea.

I am sure this is fair as most kids have access to 3D Printing!

Ed

 

If it can be rendered in cad then yes. I think the max dimensions of the print is 4in x 4in x 6in.

This is fairly new to me as well, so it would be a work in progress. I'm also on the makerbot forum, so I'll post my build log of my machine there.

I like your idea of the corner piece, so I think I'll try to render somthing in blender. If others here have experience in cad, 3d printing, and etc I would love your expert advice.

 

Well the bezel that fits about the keyboard is over 7" so that kills that idea! Good luck with your new project, it seems very interesting!

 

I bet that thing could make replacement custom keys for the keyboards.

 

Maybe it could be made in two pieces that interlock.

Glen

 

This may be difficult, but very possible. There are a lot of very small hooks and loops in one of these keys...

I've seen a lot of jig saw designs on thingverse of large objects created in smaller "jig-sawed" parts, so this would work. and you can easily weld ABS with acetone.

 

Ummm guys...

While these things ARE really cool... this is, for the most part, a technology that is still in its infancy. The resolution we're talking about here is... poor. Like... 20-30 dpi poor.

While you CAN make VERY coarse object that are functional using this, to be of real use almost any of them require pretty complex finishing; along the lines of CNC work in many cases. This, to me, pretty much is contrary to the whole point of this exercise.

Added to this is the fact that they use ABS plastic polymer - you remember that brittle, easily-worn plastic we used to make model airplanes out of? Remember how EASY they were to break?

We need to keep working on this technology A LOT LONGER before it will be ready to make something as tiny and detailed as a keyboard key; and anything with the resolution to make Azrial's bezel is orders of magnitude more sophisticated and more expensive.

This stuff IS nifty... but it is STILL hobbyist stuff; nowhere NEAR ready for PrimeTime yet.

mnem
Is it not NIFTY?

 

Yes, on more reading. I agree with Mnementh about the Makerbot being perhaps unsuitable for the purposes of making the keyboard bezel.

However, I still think that it could make the prototype for a mold for the corner piece to support a GPS antenna! Final hand fitting of such a prototype would not be a problem and would minimize the final fitting needed to be done to make the molded pieces work.

Just an idea really, it is that time of night...

 

Totally agree. I have no expectations that this thing will replace China, nor do i think it will be a star trek replicator. I do however, think this thing would be great for prototyping, and making simple temp replacement parts. One thing is for sure though, where ever I take the Makerbot it will be powered by a toughbook.

check out http://www.thingiverse.com/
the stuff this thing can make still blows me away.

 

The unit I saw in action was a heavy duty commercial machine and was part of a SolidWorks 3D manufacturing mockup system.
I can assure you it was ready to output functioning models in high grade material of some kind.
It also had to be 100 times the price of the Makerbot.

The Technology is here now,just not for us on the desktop.
Evidently these things are already somewhat mature and growing all the time.

http://www.dimensionprinting.com/

This is the least pricey one I have found that is ready to go.
Anyone want to go in on one?

Ed

 

This is tragic, today would be perfect for a steaming mug of hot Romulan Ale...

Just curious, does it use a modified version of Postscript for a CNC Language? I have been reading it little by little but haven't gotten that far yet...

Some of the early stuff I read on this idea suggested that was a perfect and readily available solution that would be able to handle most of the requirements of this application.

 

The Dimension 3D printer is capable of this level of intricacy as you can see by the video here:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/jay_leno_garage/4320759.html

However, the complete system runs about 50k+ for the high res Elite model, and 35K+ for the 1200 ES.

While I do believe that this machine would do what you want, I still think it's a bit out-of-reach for those of us NOT as rich as Jay.

Bottom line: I WANT ONE.

Reality check: NOT GONNA HAPPEN SOON.

mnem
My reality check BOUNCED.