Speaking of 3D printers

[Bob Reeves]

I'm on an email list for an electronic parts company and received this this morning.

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/productnews/velleman-3d-printer-build.html

Velleman K8200 3D Printer kit. If you click on the Velleman K8200 3D Printer text in the article it will take you to the item which sells for $799.95

Haven't really looked at 3d printers and have no idea if this is a good price but the kit seems to be first class compaired to another I saw that used MDF for a frame.

[steven yampolsky]

I'm on an email list for an electronic parts company and received this this morning.

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/productnews/velleman-3d-printer-build.html

Velleman K8200 3D Printer kit. If you click on the Velleman K8200 3D Printer text in the article it will take you to the item which sells for $799.95

Haven't really looked at 3d printers and have no idea if this is a good price but the kit seems to be first class compaired to another I saw that used MDF for a frame.

If you want the best deal, back a 3d printer project on kickstarter. Their prices are pretty low and are typically using the latest in 3d printing technology.
Here's one fr example:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1784037324/bi-v20-a-self-replicating-high-precision-3d-printe

[Douglas Ames]

Are these things just for prototyping or can you actually create useable objects?

[Steve Helmick]

Are these things just for prototyping or can you actually create useable objects?

I hear they're only good for making VG's.  Steve

[Howard Rush]

Are these things just for prototyping or can you actually create useable objects?

It depends on the machine.  They used to print just some weak plastic, but now some relatively inexpensive ones print in ABS or nylon.  I have used a Fused Deposition Modeling (I think that's what FDM stands for) machine to print free-range, vegan ABS vortex generators (get some today) and an FAI-compliant spinner.  

[Douglas Ames]

Thanks Howard. The technical world is changing faster than I can keep up.

[Robert-Jan]

http://www.modelbouwforum.nl/forums/lijnbesturing/203365-spinners.html

Greetings Robert-Jan

[Steve Fitton]

How soon till we can print a PA-75?

[steven yampolsky]

Are these things just for prototyping or can you actually create useable objects?

The new ones are using laser on resin approach. The laser traces the part on the surface of liquid resin which hardens from the heat. One could potentially print things like wheels, wheelpants, wingtips, cowls or spinners out of a printer.

Even the current generation of 3d printers that print in ABS or nylon can be utilized to create fuel tanks, wheelpants, cockpit detail, wheel hubs, hinges.

The next generation of 3d printers is coming too which uses a process called sintering. This enables one to print metal parts. Just wait until next year's CES....

[Robertc]

At UTEP in El Paso, they have one of the largest 3d printer labs anywhere  They have two machines that print titanium from powdered titanium.
Depending on what they are printing, it was cheaper than machining away un-needed material.  Truly amazing what can be done with 3d printers.
Medical applications just blow my mind.

[skyshark58]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/11/14/3d-printed-gun-stands-up-to-federal-agents-testfiring-except-when-it-explodes-video/

[steven yampolsky]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/11/14/3d-printed-gun-stands-up-to-federal-agents-testfiring-except-when-it-explodes-video/

Yeah, but can it fly a pattern 

[KenP51]

Nasa has printed out parts for a rocket engine, an injector.

To manufacture this component with traditional systems would take over a year. However, using 3D printing reduces this time frame to only four months.

http://www.dailytech.com/3D+Printed+Rocket+Engine+Injector+Designed+Tested/article31959.htm

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/3d-printed-rocket-injector.html#.UtAcGZ5dUjY

Ken