The plot thickens. I feel like this is how Saruman made his Orc army:
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Free registration at the forum removes this block.I make and sell 3D printed parts.
Interesting news from Nokia today backing 3D printing
BBC News - Nokia backs 3D printing for mobile phone cases
Interesting new trend perhaps?
Great, thanks. Of course feel free to not answer any questions that may conflict with your current work/business.
Sorry for the late reply, I just saw all the many great replies to your questions in this thread.
1. How did you get into 3D printing? Not interested in your personal bio, though you seem like a nice guy, but rather I am wondering if people who get into this field usually need to have previous CAD or engineering or industrial design background?
I had drawn some models in CAD and i knew there was a 3D printer at school. One thing led to another.
2. Prototyping seems to be a big application for this area. But from what I understand, 3D printing makes it possible to build physical objects that would otherwise be impossible to construct using normal methods? So, if that's the case, then is it a concern that the prototyping may be a proof-of-concept that turns out to not be feasible to mass produce using ordinary means?
In some cases that is indeed true. Although you wouldn't be a very good designer if you design something without having the production method already determined. And thus knowing what is feasible and what isn't
3. Is this largely something that geeky artists and designers are playing around with as a novelty (not that there's anything wrong with that)? That seems to be much of what's on display out there, but maybe it's just distorted perception because of gee whiz factor. I guess the boring applications aren't put on display so much?
That is indeed what is happening in my perception. Also it is much more interesting to look at something that amazes you. And showing the most amazing things you can do with a 3D printer makes it more salable than seeing it make something you could make with a very simple tool.
4. You're in the Netherlands. Do you own/ride a bicycle? Is 3D printing far enough along to at least economically print (for example) bicycle parts of sufficient strength? I imagine that using it to build jet airplane components isn't there yet.
Yes I commute with my bicycle just like many other people. And yes I imagine it would be feasible to print bike parts, just as long as the part specifications are well withing the printed parts capability. Same goes for jet engines or any other application.
5. There's a lot of talk about every home having a 3D printer in the future, but I cannot get my head around the question: "what problem would that solve?" From your perspective, would home 3D printers serve any purpose? It seems at the current time they'd be more suitable for the kind of products you find at a Dollar Store... using a home 3D printer to print out a cat bowl or a kitchen utensil of some sort, would seem excessive.
I feel the same about the current times, unless you can design your own parts. Otherwise you would have to buy your designs online, which more or less defeats the purpose of having a machine that can make the most unique parts.
But perhaps in the future when printing gets much cheaper, it would be more cost efficient to print something locally than to get it transported to your locale store.
6. If I think about bicycle parts... then extend that to parts like auto parts and parts that you see filling up the shelves in Pep Boys, Home Depot, Lowes... I can imagine that an enormous portion of that shelf space will become unnecessary as all they'll need to do is have a big 3D printer in the back, and if a customer needs something they can order online or call, and pick it up after it's printed on demand. No more inventory, no more "out of stock" (except for waiting time while parts are printed). How long do you think it'd take for that to happen?
I personally don't see it happening overnight but perhaps when printing becomes much cheaper and the product doesn't require the finish or strength from a machined or injection molded product it might become reality. Also printing quality etc could become so good that it can compete head on with conventional production methods. But I don't see any of this happening in the coming years.
7. The materials used to print these objects, are they generally safe for humans to ingest or to have embedded into their bodies?
3D printing can be done with a wide variety of materials. If it is safe for humans depends of the materials used in production, don't forget binding material etc. And ofcourse the way it is produced. But I don't know much about this because I've never done anything food related.
8. You're in the Netherlands so maybe you can't answer this, but in the US at least there are things like zoning laws that restrict usage of commercial space. Would setting up a small 3D printing operation in an office building cause noticable problems of "industrial" use (fumes, waste products, noise, etc.)?
There are zoning laws here too. I have never smelled the printer, but than again it is in the same room with an injection molding machine and several CNC machines which do have an unique smell. But a 3D printer could be used in an office space just like and ordinary printer. The printers themselves wouldn't be the problem I imagine, but I don't know the specifics in the law about this. I don't print in an office space anyway.
9. Generally, who are your customers, what kind of market is there for the parts you design/sell?
I'm currently selling them in a niche market, the market is limited and the costumers live all over the world. There is a competitor building his own 3D printer. So competition is on it's way, but I have some doubt about his personal designing capabilities, but i'm sure he will improve as he goes along.
Also my main products are CNC machined although the 3D printed parts are taking up a bigger and bigger slice of the total revenue
10. How long would it take to become competent/proficient at 3D design? Is there a significant learning cost in terms of software and material?
it is hard for me to judge because I rolled into it. The hardest part would be to be creative in your designs. Other than that being able to draw in CAD is the hardest, which is quite easy anyway.
You could be on your way with freeware and a cheap printer, so for less than 500USD. Or you might want to have some decent software and a decent printer. Than you would be looking at around 5000USD. Or you can go even more expensive but I have never looked at that.
You say that your knowledge is limited, but that kind of statement leads to me think you may be more of an expert than you admit. If you said you were a "thought leader" in the field, I'd figure something different. I bet if you created a ebook or other type of information product based on your experience ("How to Become a 3D Printing Designer" etc.), there'd be a lot of interest in it.
My knowledge really is limited, I know more about CNC milling than I know about printing.
I make and sell 3D printed parts. But the 3D printers you see around on the internet and even most commercial printers using the FDM printing method, won't be able to print the fine geometry you need for a vinyl. Possibly a SLS could do it, but it would be very costly in materials alone, let alone the printer.
And I don't think 3D printers will become the standard producing method anytime soon because it is relatively slow to make parts and 3D printed parts are usually weaker than parts made with conventional production methods.
If you want to get a feel for 3D design, take a look at Google Sketchup (http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html).Doing a little 2D image manipulation in Photoshop drives me up a wall, so trying to learn 3D design would probably break my brain.
Thanks for responding to my pestering questions! It gives me a better sense of where this technology is, better than media reports or promoters that are maybe too far ahead of the adoption curve and eager to hype. Also provides a feel for whether or not this is something worth self-teaching... given the learning curve and the background required to do well with it. Doing a little 2D image manipulation in Photoshop drives me up a wall, so trying to learn 3D design would probably break my brain. I guess I will focus more on approaching this developing story from the trading/investing angle, there seem to be good trading opptys whenever media reports this as the big new thing. Thanks again.
If you want to get a feel for 3D design, take a look at Google Sketchup (Trimble SketchUp).
I've haven't used it much but it seems quite intuitive. Not for production parts but a good intro to 3D.
I have read a good book about the subject, good to get started.
it's called "Makers" Makers: The New Industrial Revolution: Chris Anderson: 9780307720955: Amazon.com: Books
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