How 3-D Printing May Change The World

Jeffery · #1 08/31/13, 11:25 PM

Make, create, or copy almost any three dimensional object. This amazing new technology lets you manufacture tools, toys, art - almost anything imaginable.
3-D printers may be in every home one day. 3-D printers may change the world! If you have not yet heard about 3-D printing, you need to watch this video:

http://videos.komando.com/watch/3871...rticle-title-a

MushCreek · #2 09/01/13, 05:47 AM

3D printing has been around for almost 30 years, but it certainly has gotten a lot faster/better/cheaper. I work in the plastics industry, and we have been using it for a number of years to create prototypes before investing in expensive permanent tooling.

What's amazing is that is becoming accessible to consumers. I remember when a small, simple prototype sample cost $600 and was as fragile as an eggshell.

farmrbrown · #3 09/01/13, 06:04 AM

Unless you need something out of metal, that is. Of course robotic welders have been in use for awhile.
3D printers will change a lot of things, but not everything, fortunately.

plowjockey · #4 09/01/13, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmrbrown

Unless you need something out of metal, that is. Of course robotic welders have been in use for awhile.
3D printers will change a lot of things, but not everything, fortunately.

Already here.

http://gpiprototype.com/services/metal-3d-printing.html

farmrbrown · #5 09/01/13, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

Already here.

http://gpiprototype.com/services/metal-3d-printing.html

LOL
Fortunately, this dumb ole machinist knows what powdered metal can and CAN'T be used for.....

Let one of them college boys print you out a step or a tie down for your rig and lemme know how that works for ya.

Johnny Dolittle · #6 09/01/13, 11:37 AM

BTW how many here use CNC ? I can manually write "G" code programs and had some ability to use Mastercam 2D

I have some old CNC equipment that I am retrofitting with new PC based "Mach3" control software. But I keep getting distracted by other projects (which do not require money)

plowjockey · #7 09/01/13, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmrbrown

LOL
Fortunately, this dumb ole machinist knows what powdered metal can and CAN'T be used for.....

Let one of them college boys print you out a step or a tie down for your rig and lemme know how that works for ya.

It's really only a matter of time, IMO.

They will find a way to fuse metal, to make it as strong as any forging, or machined piece. Maybe metal will predominately go away in favor of stronger, durable plactics.

Who ever thought (or would admit) that you could make a 300K mile auto radiator, clutch hydraulic cylinder, or a semi automatic handgun frame, out of plastic?

Old-school machinists, are anything but dumb ( it's a lost art, really), but new technology, is and will in the future, taking a lot more work away from them, just like most other fields.

farmrbrown · #8 09/01/13, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Dolittle

BTW how many here use CNC ? I can manually write "G" code programs and had some ability to use Mastercam 2D

I have some old CNC equipment that I am retrofitting with new PC based "Mach3" control software. But I keep getting distracted by other projects (which do not require money)

Been doing it since 1983
I can write G code with a pencil or Mastercam.
Saw Obama here recently at newly reopened, former Caterpillar plant, running his mouth again about how we are "training the new technology of the future" at the local community college. They were touting how this truck mechanic just took a 6 month course in CNC and was off to a new career.
The sad truth is they are just dumping guys with thirty years experience for ones that are trainees and will work for half the money.
This country is spiraling down so fast it's giving me a headache.

Johnny Dolittle · #9 09/01/13, 02:42 PM

For prototypes and one-off projects or small runs it has a place but I can't think it can replace casting or forging or pressed metals for speed and economy.

davel745 · #10 09/01/13, 02:48 PM

I was just pricing to buy one

plowjockey · #11 09/01/13, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmrbrown

Been doing it since 1983
I can write G code with a pencil or Mastercam.
Saw Obama here recently at newly reopened, former Caterpillar plant, running his mouth again about how we are "training the new technology of the future" at the local community college. They were touting how this truck mechanic just took a 6 month course in CNC and was off to a new career.
The sad truth is they are just dumping guys with thirty years experience for ones that are trainees and will work for half the money.
This country is spiraling down so fast it's giving me a headache.

As always, it's about the bottom line.

As you know, a manual machinist, takes many years to become proficient, decades to master. At one time, that was all there was.

CNC machinists, mostly needs to know how to punch keys and position tools/holders.

The sad irony is, if that truck mechanic was to open his/her own truck repair shop, they could make 10 times the money of a CNC machinist.

I remember even in IT (information technology), the older/wiser experienced (meaning paid more) workers, were getting shown the door, in favor of cheaper, eager, younger workers, willing to work more for less. If they didn't have the skills or experience, oh well, the customer was paying for it.

farmrbrown · #12 09/01/13, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

As always, it's about the bottom line.

As you know, a manual machinist, takes many years to become proficient, decades to master. At one time, that was all there was.

CNC machinists, mostly needs to know how to punch keys and position tools/holders.

The sad irony is, if that truck mechanic was to open his/her own truck repair shop, they could make 10 times the money of a CNC machinist.

I remember even in IT (information technology), the older/wiser experienced (meaning paid more) workers, were getting shown the door, in favor of cheaper, eager, younger workers, willing to work more for less.

Unfortunately, many of the management think exactly the same way.
I had one little Indian engineer get so snotty with me, that I offered to let him do it.....if the arrogant little so and so could have ever figured out how to turn it on.

He had locked me out of the edit function so I couldn't fix the multiple mistakes that he and his little CAD had given me to run.
Thank God, I was taught by old school guys who could think their way out of a problem rather than relying on a computer to do it for them.

Needless to say, I no longer work there and that section of the plant lost their contracts , which was the profit making foundation of the plant.

* I've been seriously thinking about being an emergency roadside mechanic, and making a heckuva lot more money than I am.
My wife is the CDL holder of the family though, lol.

plowjockey · #13 09/01/13, 03:09 PM

How about, custom built, human organs and limbs.

Quote:

While the media focus on the possibility of 3D printing assault rifles, something far more meaningful has been going on in a number of university and commercial labs across the US: research to print human tissue and organs

http://qz.com/78877/how-soon-will-we...han-you-think/

davel745 · #14 09/02/13, 05:20 AM

Dose any one have one. I am interested in buying one and would like to hear from you all. I need about a 1 foot square platform. And the software to go with it.
Thanks for any help.

Johnny Dolittle · #15 09/02/13, 07:23 AM

Davel745 I would avoid Chinese. I have a friend who built one using Chinese controls and stepper motors and he regrets buying Chinese.

Go to cnczone.com and search for 3D printer threads .... there will be unlimited information there. Some looking to build from scratch and otherwise many conversations from users as they compare the different machines they bought.

Also lots of advice on programming software (cadcam)

davel745 · #16 09/02/13, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Dolittle

Davel745 I would avoid Chinese. I have a friend who built one using Chinese controls and stepper motors and he regrets buying Chinese.

Go to cnczone.com and search for 3D printer threads .... there will be unlimited information there. Some looking to build from scratch and otherwise many conversations from users as they compare the different machines they bought.

Also lots of advice on programming software (cadcam)

Thank you

plowjockey · #17 09/02/13, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmrbrown

* I've been seriously thinking about being an emergency roadside mechanic, and making a heckuva lot more money than I am.
My wife is the CDL holder of the family though, lol.

Down side - Hot, cold,dry,wet,greasy,day,night,weekend,holiday,some times dangerous (traffic), grouchy (tired) customers.

Up side, they'll pay whatever you charge, to get them rolling again. Whatever you charge, it almost always cheaper than a tow.