3D Printing

[Draven]

Just a couple of quick questions I need to ask about the 3D Printing process...

1, How smooth is the printed finish? For example if I sent a CAD file of a tube, would it be smooth like a tube, or stepped?

2, Can you sand the printed prototype?

3, How hard are the printed prototypes? Could they sustain a trip in the post even if well packed?

4, If it did break, can it be worked with glue and filler?

If you know the answers to the above, please post, or if you have access to a machine, please PM me.

Thanks.

Merry Christmas. :cheers

Draven

 

[darienvader]

Have you checked with these guys?
http://www.emachineshop.com/

 

[Rebo]

Hi Draven...

I take it your in the UK?. You might want to check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-D-RAPID-PROTOTYPIN...1QQcmdZViewItem

I know this is a live auction, but it is for a service and not a prop.
Sorry if the rule still stands.

 

[franz bolo]

Are you talking about this process?

www.3darttopart.com

 

[Draven]

Thanks for the replies.

Those are exactly the types of links I was looking for.

That ebay "auction" is actually the one that cased me to post here as I was sure that I could get a fellow member to offer a cheaper rate?

Thanks again.

Draven

 

[UKscout]

hi draven,

below is my snout detail prototype i did using cad and got tyler to print off.

[/QUOTE]1, How smooth is the printed finish? For example if I sent a CAD file of a tube, would it be smooth like a tube, or stepped?

The tube would represent a finish like sand paper, but i would recoment you export your cad file into 3ds and then insert it back into cad to make sure you get a smouth tube as sometimes the conversion into 3ds from cad can get blocky

2, Can you sand the printed prototype?

yes you can with wet and dry

3, How hard are the printed prototypes? Could they sustain a trip in the post even if well packed?

the prototypes are quite strong, nearly as strong as resin. but this would depend the model ie. small thin parts could break whilst postage and would depend on how well the part is posted to you.

4, If it did break, can it be worked with glue and filler?

it a part cleanly breaks off you could drill and pin the part but if it breaks badly it might be hard to visualy conceal the break once glued or filled due to the surface texture.

if you need any info PLMK as im also based in the uk

 

[Pinky]

Hi Draven, here are some quick answers that I've discovered on my RP journy.

Just a couple of quick questions I need to ask about the 3D Printing process...

1, How smooth is the printed finish? For example if I sent a CAD file of a tube, would it be smooth like a tube, or stepped?

If you subdivide the polygons (usually for organinc models) you can get it pretty smooth and not stepped.

2, Can you sand the printed prototype?

Yes. But it is important to point out that for some type of RP machines, you dont need to. The grainy effect on some RP models is from a Zcorp RP machine, as seen on 3darttopart, but I've used ones where it is done by laser and it comes out much smoother and is much more accurate.

3, How hard are the printed prototypes? Could they sustain a trip in the post even if well packed?

Yes, unless you hollow out the inside. Reason being, RP companies usually charge by weight so people reduce the inside of the model.


4, If it did break, can it be worked with glue and filler?

Usually yes

Best of luck.

 

[propsculptor]

I posted this link earlier in a different thread,
it may be a better price than the other auction...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI..._Pr4_PcY_BID_IT

 

[Draven]

Thanks for all the extra info guys.

Sorry for the late "thanks", but I didn't subscribe to my own thread and didn't think anyone else would post.

Cheers.

Draven