Robert Stuart Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Not sure where this should go, or if it's been mentioned before ... but it may have implications for our hobby http://www.designboom.com/art/personal-action-figures-printed-at-a-japanese-photo-booth/ 3d printing is real, though I hadn't realised it was this good - I should have, I keep hearing about printing aircraft components - and scanning has been with us for some years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I think that in only a few years from now, and with that kind of technology, the development and production of model kits is going to be a very different beast from what it is now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I posted this article up a month or so ago: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234930438&hl=staples John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shar2 Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I've already used our works 3D printer to make stuff for Mike and several other BM'ers, such as new cowlings, radar domes and window frames. It does help that I look after our printers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I've been asking about this over on LSP, sign of things to come. But the idea of just buying a model already built doesn't sound to good to me, I'd rather buy one as a kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChocksAway Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Some, or more likely, most? of us are going to have to have a crash course in 3D design software, unless we want to rely on others producing the files necessary to get the parts printed. I shall resist, as it means I'll spend even more time at the PC and even less at the workbench with some glueable plastic in front of me. Besides, Airifx are going to come out with 1/48 scale first and second generation Harriers in 2014 that will be so good and so complete, I'll not need extras. That is right, isn't it Airfix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 (edited) I don't know what kind of printer is used in that article, but it might be an expensive one, judging by the level of detail. There was an article on a local paper last week about the new generation of small affordable 3-D printers and some are now below the £1,000 mark. Yes it's not cheap, but it's a kind of money hobbysts can afford. If not a single modeller, then a club might easily buy one. These small printers have a resolution around 0.3 mm, that is not good enough for detail work, but it's good enough to make the initial masters for many type of parts. Professional printers like the ones likely used in this article are way more expensive Edited December 21, 2012 by Giorgio N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 Thanks John, I did search, but missed the duplication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I don't know what kind of printer is used in that article, but it might be an expensive one, judging by the level of detail. There was an article on a local paper last week about the new generation of small affordable 3-D printers and some are now below the £1,000 mark. Yes it's not cheap, but it's a kind of money hobbysts can afford. If not a single modeller, then a club might easily buy one. These small printers have a resolution around 0.3 mm, that is not good enough for detail work, but it's good enough to make the initial masters for many type of parts. Professional printers like the ones likely used in this article are way more expensive That is what is available now. Remember when computers took up whole rooms and didn't even have a fraction of the memory that an average iPod possesses -and cost several times as much? This is a technology still in its infancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 That is what is available now. Remember when computers took up whole rooms and didn't even have a fraction of the memory that an average iPod possesses -and cost several times as much? This is a technology still in its infancy. Absolutely, the potential for growth is immense ! Personally I'm looking into one of the smaller units as it could also be useful for my real job. I could see many applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test Graham Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 For those interested, there is a section in N Gauge Forum that describes some of the problems with this technology. It is worth reading if you are interested: the railway guys are ahead of us. http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=136.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now