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Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

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Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#1

Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

charlie belden

I've been playing with Google's free SketchUp program making virtual 3D objects for a couple of years now. And for about a year I've focused on creating virtual 3D models of multi axis pieces. BUT - I couldn't afford to buy a $1000 to $2500 3D printer to use those virtual 3D models to make ACTUAL 3D objects. And I'm not willing to spend the time to become a 3D printer technician AND a g-Code programmer - in order to print 3D models of virtual models I've created.

UNTIL NOW

A week ago today I walked in to a Barnes & Noble bookstore and they were having a "Mini Makers Faire" - which included a small, relatively speaking, 3D printer - with samples of what it can make. This thing was a little bit larger than a desktop printer - and about as quiet in operation.

The clouds parted and the angels sang!

- $349

- has good resolution (0.1 mm)

- Mac and Windows compatible

(I learned LATER that the software could only run on Mac OSX 10.8 or later . . .)

- uses bio degradable PLA filament

- is almost but not quite Plug 'n Play

- has a SID memory card so it can print "off line" (doesn't tie up a computer)

So I bought one. Brought it home, unboxed it, set it up, turned it on - and got what I eventually learned was an error code - error code 0031. I say "eventually" because this thing came with NO MANUAL, not even Quick Start Guide. You have to go to the XYZPrinting.com web site to find the manual. BUT - to be able to READ the manual - you have to Sign Up (read give them a bunch of information about yourself - name, phone number, e-mail address, type of business, job type, intended use for the printer. ANd before you can download, or even see anything on line - you have to agree to their Privacy Policy (which says they can do any damn thing they want to do with your data).

Once I downloaded the manual - and printed all 19 pages, I learned that Error Code 0031 meant one of the sensors for stopping the build table's movement was bad. A half hour on the phone with technical support "Nicole" - in INDIA and we concluded that the printer was "faulty" and that we couldn't fix it over the phone. GREAT!

One of the advantages with buying locally from a reputable store is - A NO QUESIONS ASKED RETURN POLICY. I took the faulty printer back to B&N, got ANOTHER printer, tested that it didn't show any Error Codes when powered up and brought it home.

It was time to download the necessary software for printing.

And that's when I learned that the Mac software needed required Mac OSX 1.8 or higher. My Macs run OSX 10.7.5. The solution was to upgrade to OSX 1.8. BUT, none of my Macs will run on OSX 10.8 - or any of the newer versions of OSX.

OH CRANUS!!!!!!!!!

So I used this as an excuse to buy my first laptop - to be used just to do3D printing. One power cord, no need for an external display - and it can be battery powered. For $250 I got a used Mac Pro laptop, downloaded the XYZPrinting software and did my first 3D print - the example that comes with the printer



So far so good!

Now "all I have to do" is find out how to convert SketchUp created 3D model files into 3D printer files - and get them to the 3D printer. I'm pretty sure there'll be more to it - but so far so good.

This 3D printer is XYZPrinting's Da Vinci Jr.

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#2

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

Dick Coers

I just don't like the "grain" you get with those printers. And believe me, they are not fun to sand smooth. I worked a fair number of parts in the model shop before retiring. Luckily, we didn't need perfect surfaces in the prototyping work. I've read about guys that suspend them in acetone vapors to melt down the layers a little, but you can always see the layers. Also a practice in patience with the slow build time. But, really complex geometry can be a breeze to make. No idea about the software, but our designers used Rhino.

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#3

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

charlie belden

I'm primarily interested in using this 3D printer to make actual real world models of multi axis pieces. Being able to create and see a virtual 3D multi axis piece in 2 1/2D is OK. But short of passing around a laptop or iPad so others can check out a virtual piece, it's difficult to share design ideas - especially with someone who is not pretty familiar with multi axis turning concepts.

But now I can "print" multiple copies of pieces that illustrate fundamental multi axis concepts - and pass them around - say at a demo . . . My goal is to provide Barbara Dill and others demoing multi axis turning with small physical models they can pass around at a demo.

The Less Than Perfectly Smooth Surfaces issue really isn't an issue for my 3D printing purposes. My objective is to get ideas out of my head, out of the virtual world and out into the Real World so others can not only see, be hold and feel them.

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#4

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

Larry

:b What model is it?

Thanks

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#5

You're right, perfect for that

Dick Coers

It will be the modeling software that may hang you up now. I never did learn how to do surfacing, just take the files sent to me and run the 5 axis.

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#6

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

Charlie belden

I bought the Da Vinci Jr model. Build space is 5.9" x 5.9" x 5.9". Dremel has a 3D printer, available at Home Depot for $999, with a build volume just 3" taller. dremel's will print ABS, the davinci jr only prints with bio degradable PLA.

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#7

Re: You're right, perfect for that

Charlie belden

I've got SketchUp down pretty good for creating virtual 3D objects. There's a plug in for SketchUp that lets you export your model in .STL format that can be read by the printer's driver software, which then converts it to gCode that controls the servos that position the extruder, controls the extruder temperature and the filament feed rate.

i'm going to download a free 3D printable model and see how it prints. if that works well I'll start getting and using the SU export to .STL format and try printing a model I created.

More to come

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#8

Alan Zenreich

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

Alan Zenreich

I have been using a NewMatter MOD-t printer for the past few weeks.

I ordered it as part of a crowdfunding campaign 18 months ago.

It is fun entering the world of printing, 3D modeling, slicing, meshes, sculpting, captures, time lapse photography, etc.

Yet another vortex to suck up any remaining time and synapses.

Here is a little video I made of one of my first prints.

http://youtu.be/6_YW22y8tgg

Re: Affordable ($350) 3D Printer - Finally

#9

This is great news!

John K Jordan

Charlie, this is good news!

I did scientific/technical 3D modeling for many years for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Outside the lab I did things such as architecture, forensics (ever hear of the OJ Simpson case?), remodeling/construction, general illustration, and visualizing woodturnings. The picture below shows a few samples including visualization of an inside/out turning.

I would make both still and animations for visualization, for video, publication, and as you mentioned, pictures for passing around. Many times I wished I could make physical models for exactly the reason you pointed out, to hold in the hand.

I followed the progress of stereo lithography and the infancy of 3D "printing" technology since the late 80s but the cost was prohibitive, $20,000 or more to get started and the quality was not any better that what you showed. If even a $2000 printer had been available I would have snapped it up in a heartbeat. To hear about what you discovered is amazing - so cheap it's almost free!

I did play with Sketchup in its early days, buying a copy of the Pro version, but my workhorse software was 3DStudio Max by Autodesk/Kinetix. (I did internet tech support for them for years.) Since I retired to feed llamas and play in the shop I've let the 3D stuff gather virtual dust.

Now you are forcing me to revive my modeling workstation! Or perhaps take another look at Sketchup and see how it has evolved. Good news indeed.


JKJ