I currently have a project (all be it on hold) that requires 3D printed parts. They could be modelled with some acrylic or card or whatever is around, but the use of a 3D model to design it has saved a good few hours. You do of course lose that to manufacturing if you out source the printing, but it is a fair trade off. Depending on how good the service is, I do hope to use it more for projects. Does anyone have any prefered companies for this should you not have your own machine?
In terms of applications I see it mostly being used for proof of concept and prototyping. There will be cases where it is used for mass production, but I can't see that happening in the immediate future. Costs will need to drop drastically for it to become a prefered method compared to methods such as injection moulding. It may well be used for the production of molds (If for example you are casting aluminium) or similar tasks. Give it a few years and all this might change as the technology progresses further, but at the end of the day use will only increase. Only a matter of time before projects such as the Frostruder become a standard household item!
I currently have a project (all be it on hold) that requires 3D printed parts. They could be modelled with some acrylic or card or whatever is around, but the use of a 3D model to design it has saved a good few hours. You do of course lose that to manufacturing if you out source the printing, but it is a fair trade off. Depending on how good the service is, I do hope to use it more for projects. Does anyone have any prefered companies for this should you not have your own machine?
In terms of applications I see it mostly being used for proof of concept and prototyping. There will be cases where it is used for mass production, but I can't see that happening in the immediate future. Costs will need to drop drastically for it to become a prefered method compared to methods such as injection moulding. It may well be used for the production of molds (If for example you are casting aluminium) or similar tasks. Give it a few years and all this might change as the technology progresses further, but at the end of the day use will only increase. Only a matter of time before projects such as the Frostruder become a standard household item!
