Anybody know of a 3D printer service bureau?
- Thread starter 8 perf
- Start date
exoray
Master Member
www.shapeways.com
They have done me good, and when compared around they definitely lean in favor of the hobbiest in both price and service...
They have done me good, and when compared around they definitely lean in favor of the hobbiest in both price and service...
If you are in school or some company related to 3d printing or technology I would find a local sales rep and ask if they can print a model for you to show off. If you have the files ready they will print a freebie for you. Just update their contact information for your school/business, they are trying to sell the machines to schools/companies. I'm having a small rifle handle made for free. Found a guy that did the laser scanning for me. Now it's just a matter of printing it.
wooten
Member
Thanks for this! I really thought the only way I'd ever be able to do this is to 'know someone' so it always kept me from trying. Fantastic to know that this kind of thing can be done on a hobbyist budget :^)
-John
Mercury
Sr Member
Keep in mind most if not all of those 3d printers require a watertight model to work off of. They can make it watertight for you if required but usually charge extra for that. They also will probably require the submitted model in whichever format their machine works with the easiest. I know alot of them use Inventor Pro which is an Autodesk product.
A Miniature enthusiast wanted some 3d starship models I created made into physical models. He has a friend with a 3d printer and is currently working on some prototypes. Of course we're talking really small models, around 2-3 inches. His printer does a max size of 8-12 inches and prints a master in a soft resin/wax substance. The master is then treated to be able to withstand vulcanizing. In some cases the master is sent off to be produced in a more durable material for the production of a mold. Unfortunately, at least with this dude, it's costly and a 2-3 inch master could run up to $75. I'll get copies of my models as payment for their use tho, so that's cool.
A Miniature enthusiast wanted some 3d starship models I created made into physical models. He has a friend with a 3d printer and is currently working on some prototypes. Of course we're talking really small models, around 2-3 inches. His printer does a max size of 8-12 inches and prints a master in a soft resin/wax substance. The master is then treated to be able to withstand vulcanizing. In some cases the master is sent off to be produced in a more durable material for the production of a mold. Unfortunately, at least with this dude, it's costly and a 2-3 inch master could run up to $75. I'll get copies of my models as payment for their use tho, so that's cool.
8 perf
Sr Member
Exoray - Thanks for that! Ill give it a go. Only place i have found local to me, is in Raleigh, NC. Techshop just opened there and they have one, but it would cost me the price of a membership to get it done. As I live 2.5 hours away, it a bit steep to make the trek up there to do something like that every-time.
sawduster
Well-Known Member
Try Master Piece Models. They have a 3D printer.
info@masterpiecemodels.com
info@masterpiecemodels.com
Firefoxm31
Sr Member
Printapart.com uses the Invision HR and is a decent resolution model printer. The stryations are alot less noticible on their parts for small items. It all depends on the size of the part as to which company or machine you should use.
Will
Will
8 perf
Sr Member
Thanks. Ill check those others out as well. I did get on to Shapeways already. Figured why not give em a try since I already had the STL file for the part. Very economical and easy to work with so far.
FWIW - I am scratch building a 22" Eagle lander from Space: 1999. Having the majority of the cages done by 3D printing from one of my drawings I did in Sketchup. So far so good.
If it turns out the way I hope, I may just have to revisit my Sketchup model of the "Clock of Ages" from Tomb Raider.
FWIW - I am scratch building a 22" Eagle lander from Space: 1999. Having the majority of the cages done by 3D printing from one of my drawings I did in Sketchup. So far so good.
If it turns out the way I hope, I may just have to revisit my Sketchup model of the "Clock of Ages" from Tomb Raider.
Yodajammies
Sr Member
I live in Raleigh and work up at techshop all the time. (In fact I'm posting from the computer in the CNC room!)
If you wanted to get something printed up here, I'm sure we could work something out. Last I heard, the printer ran 20-25$ / in^3. Don't quote me on that though.
If you wanted to get something printed up here, I'm sure we could work something out. Last I heard, the printer ran 20-25$ / in^3. Don't quote me on that though.
8 perf
Sr Member
Yeah, if I lived closer to Raleigh, I would consider joining. Techshop is pretty cool. The price you gave is what Scott quoted me a week or so back. I already had the STL file ready to go, so handed it off to Shapeways to see what they can do. I got all 9 of the identical pieces of framing for my 22" Space: 1999 Eagle for $37 shipped.
Another one is: http://www.3dprototype.com/index.php
3D Prototype Design Inc.
205 Boullee Street
New Hamburg Ontario Canada N3A 2K3
Annette Kalbhenn, Sales: (416) 894-2800
Fax: (519) 662-2662
Karl
3D Prototype Design Inc.
205 Boullee Street
New Hamburg Ontario Canada N3A 2K3
Annette Kalbhenn, Sales: (416) 894-2800
Fax: (519) 662-2662
Karl
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Alright, I just had a look at that site, and the quality is insane ! The resolution of the printouts really justifies the higher price !!!
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