Interesting Idea

Gandolf50

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Been following this guy for a while and impressed at the results he achieves.
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/baVAxE

jin-hau-chen-photo-28-1.jpg

Basic steps here ( not a great example ) http://archive.fabacademy.org/2016/fablabtaipei/students/184/weekly/12.html

The concept is simple...
1. Create a model to print in 3d, it includes adding and cutting to get the arm post and various bits a connector.
2. Print it.
3, Clean it up.
4. Make a mold of the parts with silicone molding material.
5. Cast it. (
6. Clean up the cast and sell, or paint for limited additions!

OK get to work!
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
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OK, that looks very interesting to me. Thank you very much for sharing this with us!
 

zathros

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People have been doing this years with these machines. Especially in the automotive industry. I too think it's the best way to mass produce, make the plug with the 3D printer. :)
 

Sudsy

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This is by far one of the best ways to use a 3D printer, making the master parts. Especially for those mechanical looking parts that almost require CAD design (or excessive hours of work)... SLA printing and Zbrush (or similar 3d sculpting software) have certainly opened up more organic parts for 3D print master part design! Just account for that 1% to 5% shrinkage depending upon casting material (resin)!
 

Gandolf50

Researcher of obscure between war vehicles...
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This is by far one of the best ways to use a 3D printer, making the master parts. Especially for those mechanical looking parts that almost require CAD design (or excessive hours of work)... SLA printing and Zbrush (or similar 3d sculpting software) have certainly opened up more organic parts for 3D print master part design! Just account for that 1% to 5% shrinkage depending upon casting material (resin)!
GOOD point on the shrinkage!
The people that are doing these are printing on a HUGE heated bed printer so that they can print these all in one go, so shrinkage is consistent across the whole. Just have to compensate on the connection pins, like I had to do on ball joints in some of my stuff.
You can check and see if there is a FabLab in your area, and gain access to some of these larger printers.
 

Sudsy

Well-Known Member
GOOD point on the shrinkage!
The people that are doing these are printing on a HUGE heated bed printer so that they can print these all in one go, so shrinkage is consistent across the whole. Just have to compensate on the connection pins, like I had to do on ball joints in some of my stuff.
You can check and see if there is a FabLab in your area, and gain access to some of these larger printers.

I have a Lulzbot Taz 5... One of the biggest print areas for a desktop printer! I'm good!
 

zathros

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I want a sintering Metal Laser 3d Printer. Then, you can make real stuff!! Like turbines for axial flow jet engines, that really work, etc. :)
 

Sudsy

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I want a sintering Metal Laser 3d Printer. Then, you can make real stuff!! Like turbines for axial flow jet engines, that really work, etc. :)

Get lucky with the lottery or sweepstakes contest! Thats the current price for those, at the moment.
 

zathros

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You do have to get a sandblaster, and if you breath that dust in, say Hello to some form of Mesothelioma. Sintering metal is really awesome, this method comes in all flavors too. There are DIY Projects on "YouTube" that are shown, the sintered metal is baked at 1500F degrees in some methods, and that makes them very solid. Jet engine blades can be made with these. I think the only additive 3D printing I would be interested is in is a printer that does Nylon, as one could make nylon gears, and other really fun stuff. :)
 

Gandolf50

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I would like to play with one of the RGB printers I have read about... prints your model in its actual colors. One type with inkjet as a color choice and another I saw with same capabilities in RGB filaments.
 

zathros

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Neat, these things take soooo long to print though. I guess if you are an animator, or toy maker, this could really be quite useful. I want a 3D printer that prints nylon, so I can make gears. I have some toys that I have designed that I just cannot find the right gears in the right sizes for. :)
 
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