skybird100000 wrote:I read it takes rather long time to print (create) a piece. What happens if you have a power failure? You need redo it all? Can you re-use material by melting it ot bringing it to some place where they can recycle it?
And where do you get the data to make a print? You make it yourself? What kind of software is needed for that?
What is the biggest item you can make?
Hi Skybird,
Yes these printers are very slow. They have to print the model one layer at a time and there are hundreds of layers to print!
But if you think about it, how long would it take and what would the material costs be to fabricate a part or sculpture by hand? And then how accurate would it be when you were done?
The nice thing about the printer is that you can do other things while the printer is working.
The Afinia's maximum print size is 140mm x 140mm x 135mm (5.5" x 5.5" x 5.3"). Larger pieces can be printed in sections and glued together.
At the high quality settings like the pussy plug print, this pelvis print will take about 9-1/2 hours.
![pelvis print time.jpg (609.51 KiB) Viewed 23666 times pelvis print time.jpg](./download/file.php?id=50676&t=1&sid=7b42796240ff230365f7a52b5fd6cbac)
- pelvis print time.jpg (609.51 KiB) Viewed 23666 times
I could cut that down to about 5-1/2 hours by going to a .25mm layer height, but the layer lines will be more apparent and will require more hand finishing.
If you have frequent power outages you would probably need to address that with a backup generator or something.
The plastic is not that expensive ($35/2lb spool) so if you loose a print it's not going to be the end of the world. Just reset the machine and reprint.
As for the recycling, there are people working on that issue. Here is a machine called Filabot on Kickstarter:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roc ... ment-maker
Not sure how good the filament from this machine would be but I'm sure as this technology progresses there will be improvements.
I used several pieces of software in designing Abby most of which are free.
I've been designing on the computer for over 20 years in the architectural field so this stuff kind of comes naturally to me.
Here is a list of the main programs I use:
Reconstructme (free console version) with X-box Kinect sensor for scanning the MS Barbie
http://reconstructme.net/
Netfabb Studio basic (free version) for basic cleanup of the Kinect scans and final 3d print file prep
http://www.netfabb.com/download.php
Meshlab (free) for combining the multiple Kinect scans into a final watertight mesh
http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/
Meshmixer (free) for mesh refinement (smoothing) and free form sculpting/re-sculpting. Fun little program to download and play with.
http://www.meshmixer.com/
Rhinocerous + Tsplines
This is my main design tool. Not free but fairly inexpensive compared to programs like 3dMax. Very intuitive and fairly easy to learn.
http://www.rhino3d.com/
If you don't want to design things you can go here to find ready made models that you can download:
http://www.thingiverse.com/
rubherkitty wrote:Glad the printer is working well. You never know how it's going to do until you start making things. Have fun!
Thanks RK.
It looks like it did pretty well on the first print. The larger ones will be the proof of the pudding though.