3D printer ...

csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
edited March 2004 in Hardware
Does anyone have any experience with the Invision 3D printer or like? I'm thinking of proposing this for my lab and I'd like to know more about it ...maybe there are cheaper or better alternatives? Like this http://www.thermoforms.com/gallery/3d_printer.html hardware modeler.

If you have any input let me know ...it is appreciated.

Thanks
csimon

Comments

  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    Sorry I can't help much... But what is it? What does it do? How much is the one your showing?
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    It's in the neighborhood of $30k.
    I guess you could call it a 3d prototype machine that takes a 3d software created image and replicates it out of a plastic or soft metal.
    This particular model uses Acrylic Photopolymer. It appears to me to be some sort of mill or something like that.

    I also found this dimension 3d printer from cadalyst magazine ...starts at around $25k.

    Here is a demo from zcorp ...http://www.zcorp.com/products/demo.asp?ID=1 and a link to the dimension demo here http://www.stratasys.com/fdmprocess.html but it takes a while to load.
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    that could be put to good use with some pics from the babe thread :wow2:
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    I'm working on it ...I'm searching for the bra headgear! LOL
  • croc_croc_ New
    edited March 2004
    oh my .....
  • rykoryko new york
    edited March 2004
    YES! These are the coolest inventions ever! :bigggrin: I saw one about 3 years ago while i was still in school.

    Basically, you pour this powder substace into the 'printer' and it will spit out a grey/beige 3d plastic model depending on what color powder you used. It is used by toy companies to make protype gi-joes and the like. The other thing is that these printers can differ greatly in size so that bigger and more complex 3d models can be printed.

    Anyway, our entire class got to 'print out' one of our own 3d models that we had created in Maya. I printed out a look-a-like star fighter from star wars. Unfortunately, my little model didn't survive my last move and got crushed, :( but here is a pic of the original maya model....

    If you get one of these i want to play!!!!!!
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited March 2004
    Ryko, it depends on the machine. Some of the rapid prototyping machines use plastic, others use paper. Personally, I'd go for one of the paper ones, as I believe they're more cost effective.
  • rykoryko new york
    edited March 2004
    Yeah, but who wants a toy made out of recycled paper?
  • croc_croc_ New
    edited March 2004
    The plastic ones are oh so nice. My friend who owns a comic book store knows some people with these machines, and he has a few of these printed renderings. They are amazing. Plastic all the way!!
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    Geeky1 wrote:
    Ryko, it depends on the machine. Some of the rapid prototyping machines use plastic, others use paper. Personally, I'd go for one of the paper ones, as I believe they're more cost effective.
    Any idea who mfg's the paper version ...it may be more cost effective for all I need it for is a teaching tool.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited March 2004
    No, I don't know who makes it. I know the models look really good, though. They make 3d models by layering laser-cut sheets of paper one on top of each other and gluing them together. You essentially have a model made out of plywood when you're done.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited March 2004
    Hmm, sounds like what you folks want is a laser-and-holograph driven sculpturing robot.... :D

    Um, if this is for a higher-level educational lab, why not MAKE one???? 3D Styrofoam carver???? Fairly low energy Lasers SHOULD be able to surface fuse that stuff while cutting it nicely.... Argon Laser pulses fused the hole in the retinal tissue in my eye, for instance. can a robotic arm move in a .01 dgree fineness of control??? Yes... Can you change the angle of passage of laser in increasing tiny amounts and force the styrofoam to surface melt and thus shave and melt it progressively in what ends up being CURVED surfaces??? Sure, in X, Y, AND Z dimensions simultaneously. Then try dipping your model in a gallon container of Plasti-Dip AFTER it has cooled off.... :D

    John D.
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