Printer To Make Patterns From Drawings

[audiobull]

Hi everyone. I am coming into this blind so please excuse any stupid questions I may ask but this certainly seems like the right place to be.

I know a bit about computers, built a few in the past, do a lot with photoshop, sony vegas and have built a few websites with dreamweaver (yes I know there is many other softwares out there). I know that does not make me an expert but hopefully it helps me a little in my travels towards printing in 3D.

I am looking for my first 3D printer and there seems to be millions of different types out there.
I am looking to buy one to enable me to make accurate things from 2d drawings which have measurements in inches. The drawings have a few angles of each component. The things I make will be used as patterns which I will use to then make cast iron moulds with which I will then machine down to perfect accuracy so although it does not need to be precise to the mm/inch it does need to be straight and level so to speak.

Is there a good system which combines fairly easy but detailed software and a good accurate printer which can make fairly large items. Say the items are 11" circular.

I do not expect there to be a printer which can make it by scanning the drawings in but going to ask anyway.... is there?

I do not have a budget but I was hoping for something around £1000 if possible. I have seen some up at £5k + and even £13K plus which is out of my reach.

Can I please have some guidance on this please. If my budget is too small then please say and I shall have to look at saving a bit more. It is not for commercial use, only my personal hobby and the patterns will only be used once.

Would it even be possible to do what I am asking?

Thanks

[curious aardvark]

Okay so you want a build vlume of at least 12 inches x&y and you're in the uk - which makes life easier :-)

Extruding a 2d drawing into a 3d printable template is pretty straightforward. So yes it's doable.
£1000 should be plenty.

Next question - do you mind building it yourself ? That usually knocks acouple hundred quid off. But can give issues with the software (and hardware - but mostly on aself builds it's the software that seems to cause most issues).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A601S-printe...0mm+3d+printer
Never heard of it - but big build volume.

Hmm struggling to find 12inch build - but here's aery nice 10x10x10 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Printrbot-...item1e9a1974c8
printr bot metal plus.

You can get reprap iprusa kits with 12 inch build - but I'm buggered if I can find one tonight.

[audiobull]

Thank you Curious aardvark

I would prefer not to build if it would ensure a much smoother transition into 3D printing. If I were to have tons of problems such as software issues before even starting to design I may go bald altogether. If it were pretty straight forward I would certainly not have a problem with building.

I do not mind paying that little extra for the hassle free kit and do not mind paying a little extra for a well known or reliable machine.

I think it is a case of the bigger (build volume) the better but not cheaper the better. Colour I am not concerned with either as it will be put into a sand mould then removed and sat on a shelf or in a box.

I have looked at a ultimaker but there build volumes seem too small.

I may not need the full 11" straight away BUT I would prefer not to have to upgrade at a later stage if I can avoid it.
Thanks

[LambdaFF]

If you are a beginner in 3D printing, I recommend you select a brand that offers good tech support : this is an important parameter.

I have the Metal + and it's a great machine. Printrbot support is really good too. Their products evolve and they provide (or sell, depending) upgrade kits.

Take into account that whatever printer you take, if it is a dual head this reduces the print volume.

As for the software, you can find open source solutions to :
- create STL files from Black& White pictures (the greyscale is turned into height) these are called lithopanes
- extrude DXF outlines to create STLs
- "slice" the STLs to create toolpaths for the printer and give the toolpaths to the printer.

For the last step though, I use and recommend simplify3D.

Also, regarding lithopanes and extruded DXF, you will find through trial and error that not all STL are (easily) printable.

[curious aardvark]

I don't see tech support as an issue. 99 time out of a hundred you'll end up asking questions on a forum anyway.
And yeah I'd go with simplify 3d as well. it's about £80 - but does everything you'd ever want a slicer to do and a few other things besides. Plus it will take a 2d picture and turn it into an extruded 3d .stl file pretty easily.
Okay - what's your upper budget.

There are a couple of uk manufacturers, but can't recall any of them doing a 12inch build volume.
The standard is around 10.

I'll have another look.

don't know much about them, but the leapfrog hs is around 11inch
http://www.desktop3dprinter.com/3d-p...creatr-hs.html

Other than that you're realistically looking at an reprap iprusa kit - but I can't find any of them that size either. :-)

[LambdaFF]

Depending on the shapes you want to mould in your patterns, you might be forced to make a multi-drawer mould. In that case, the 11inch dimension might not be relevant.

[chris@radeuslabs]

Depending on the shapes you want to mould in your patterns, you might be forced to make a multi-drawer mould. In that case, the 11inch dimension might not be relevant.

Exactly the point I was going to make. We are using this technique for carbon fiber casts.

Here is a good comparison chart listing printers by price and build volume. http://www.productchart.com/3d_printers/

It's more geared for the States but should help give you an idea on what models to look at.

[audiobull]

Thanks all.

The comparison site is suggesting the Printrbot 1412 or the slightly smaller in depth FusionTech ideaPrinter F100L.


I completely agree with the multi part patterns. I am thinking along the lines of that anyway and the biggest part is double 11" at just over a foot. The actual height will only be 4" but diameter is the larger size part.
I was planning on splitting it in 2 with small notches or imprints so it can slot together.
I have not thought about splitting it any further into smaller parts. I may have to though but I was hoping to keep it as simple as possible.

Is the software available able to split a drawing in half pretty easily?

[LambdaFF]

To split a model :
- If you draw using an engineering CAD soft : piece of cake.
- There has been a tuto on that topic for zbrush made for the form1 users.
- Other than that, it is no rocket science : cut at plane, paste or remove a cone. You could do it in meshmixer.

I have a 1412 : it's great, I posted a few things on the dedicated thread of this forum.

[audiobull]

Thank you LambdaFF great post. I will have a good read over the weekend. I guess it would not hurt to start using the software to get an idea? Or do I need a printer to even design/use it?