Yes, you read that correctly. The ability to print out parts. These may be parts such as clips, brackets, holders, replacement parts, and even major components in complex mechanisms.
So now that I've probably confused you even more, take a look at these links, to fill in some of the areas I won't cover:
OhmEye's Introduction and Orientation for 3D Printing with the Reprap Prusa Mendel
http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
This machine is the basis of my Senior Project at Cal Poly Pomona, for my BS in Engineering Technology. That's why it's important to me.
Why is it important to you? - Because you can quickly and cheaply make prototype parts or working assemblies of things you've always wanted but no one ever made.
Here is my machine:
Total cost for all consumed materials is right around $500 dollars. Not the most inexpensive piece of kit, but well within the reach of the average hobbyist. I have about $650 into mine, because of minimum order amounts, and ordering some unnecessary parts.
As an extension to my primer on plastics, here is how this machine uses plastic filament to create complex three dimensional objects.
Plastic, most commonly ABS (previously discussed in the link above), or PLA (a newer plastic derived from bio-mass, very "green") is fed into the machine as a filament. This is most similar to weed trimmer line; although that is most often made of nylon, and unusable in this situation. This filament is fed through a mechanism that very precisely controls the amount fed. it then enters a hot end where it is melted at temperatures above 200 degrees C, or over 400 degrees F. It is then extruded through a small nozzle (Fractions of a millimeter) and is deposited as a thing line on the bed. a 3 axis machine controls precisely where this filament is deposited. Perimeters are deposited first, then filled in. this process is repeated for each layer of the part, until the top is reached.
So what can you make with this? Pretty much anything you want, as long as the plastic will stand up to whatever abuse you plan on putting it through. Obviously creating a new set of valves or a camshaft for your engine is not a possibility, nor is suspension components. However, things like clips to hold fuel and brake lines, wires, etc. brackets to mount GPS units, radios, etc. The options are limited by imagination, print area, and material performance.
So far I have designed a few household fix items, and a couple of brackets to mount my electronics on my printer
and this:
Sadly, I lost the 3d files for that, but as soon as I can redraw them, I will print it. After that, we’ll see about distributing them… but that’s a topic for another thread.
Obviously I didn’t even scratch the surface of this machine and this technique of making things from plastic. The box at the bottom is for you to ask questions, so please do!
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