3D Printing

[908/930]

If you make up a CAD drawing there are many companies out there that will print the parts for you. Likely a better finished product and more selection of materials.

[Pazuzu]

When y'all get tired of your starter level Enders, think about buying a Prusa.
2.5 times the price, 5 times the printer...

At work, we have Enders, Prusas, Formlab SLA/resin printers, Northworks large format printers, and an SLS printer...probably 100 units in all.

[fireant911]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

When y'all get tired of your starter level Enders, think about buying a Prusa.
2.5 times the price, 5 times the printer...

I looked briefly at the Prusa models. They seem to be extremely capable machines but for my initial 'toe-wetting' with 3D printers a less expensive model would work nicely. After addressing a scaling issue that appeared from my design software to the slicer, my first model from the Ender CR6-SE greatly exceeded what I was expecting. The design software has a learning curve while the slicer is rather straightforward (though much tweaking can be done, if required). The printer is easy to get going and nice to watch in action!

Because you have lots of practical experience with FDM 3D printers, may I ask about what you use to lubricate the Z-axis lead screws? I tried researching this but, like so many other things, there is much conflicting information out there.

I am still in awe of having the ability to create a physical model of an idea I have in my head. Print it out, test it, redesign as required, and retest... this is ABSOLUTELY amazing and affordable (at least for the basic models).

Many years ago, we had a very early model of a 3D printer at college. Few organizations at the time cold afford such machines at that time. In fact, our school did some prototype work for the Honda manufacturing plant in Lincoln, AL. These machines have come a LONG way since then.

[island911]

Originally Posted by 908/930

If you make up a CAD drawing there are many companies out there that will print the parts for you. Likely a better finished product and more selection of materials.

THIS ^

While I've been printing on my own printer for nearly a decade, I've been ordering prints for the past 2 decades.

Running your own printer is VERY involved (not some Plug&Play HP Laserjet) and services are cheap, with the above quoted advantages.

Print services are the best place to start. Well, unless you are looking for a time-suck of a highly multi-variable machine processing non-linear amorphous material.

[island911]

Originally Posted by fireant911

...

Because you have lots of practical experience with FDM 3D printers, may I ask about what you use to lubricate the Z-axis lead screws? I tried researching this but, like so many other things, there is much conflicting information out there.
...

Oh, you absolutely MUST use Swepco brand W04MPF ... Just kidding... Don't overthink this. The lead-screws are very lightly loaded. Lube requirements are minimal.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

When y'all get tired of your starter level Enders, think about buying a Prusa.
2.5 times the price, 5 times the printer...

At work, we have Enders, Prusas, Formlab SLA/resin printers, Northworks large format printers, and an SLS printer...probably 100 units in all.

Whatever… If you are serious, you get a Voron.

Prussia’s are so 2017… there is nothing wrong with the creality printers once dialed in. The ender 3 is the easiest to get dialed in and has the most support. The other models are easy to get there as well.

My hotrodded CR10S pro prints better than my buddy’s hotrodded $7000 printers (he has 2) and this pisses him off to no end.

[908/930]

The CNC hot melt glue guns are fun but I would much prefer a small CNC mill such as a Tormach 1100m or similar, can do plastic and metal parts.