Machsupport Forum
General CNC Chat => Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) => Topic started by: Tweakie.CNC on July 24, 2010, 12:26:37 PM
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In some ways this is a continuation of ‘The Laser Project’ but because there are many ways in which 3D Printing can be achieved I thought it perhaps deserves its own thread. The method I have decided to initially follow is that of Selective Laser Sintering. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Selective_laser_melting_system_schematic.jpg
My initial model is only 2D (about 3mm thick) and was produced in just two layers using a simple stacking frame – this has, however, given me sufficient confidence to start building a larger frame or jig with a moving Z Axis base that will allow models up to 60mm deep to be produced on my existing machine without any additional modification. If this is successful, who knows?
My initial inspiration for trying this came from the Candy Fab project and more details of their progress can be found here http://candyfab.org/
Although I accept that the quality of my initial model is not very good I think that by using fusible materials which have a finer grain structures things can only get better.
I would appreciate your comments / suggestions relating to this or 3D printing in general.
Tweakie.
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Is the goal something like these?
http://bulatov.org/metal/index.html
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Hi Gerry,
Perhaps in my dreams, but I think that is a little ambitious for me to start with. Maybe a little Torus is more the mark ;D
Tweakie.
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Tweaky have you tried powered sugar*********X
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Terry,
Thanks for the suggestion but if it's what we call 'Icing Sugar' here in the UK, then yes I did try some but it caught fire instantly :o :o
In general the 'air assist' tends to extinguish combustion in most materials before it starts but I have this set to an extremely low level when working with powders otherwise the stuff just gets blown away.
It is perhaps interesting that photocopy toner does not ignite (at least the stuff I have didn't) and this must have similar particle size to powered sugar but it did not really produce the desired results - perhaps a mixture of the two may work ?.
Lots of possibilities to try - please keep the suggestions coming Guys - I do appreciate your help.
Tweakie.
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hi Tweakie
If you google 'laser sintering cardiff university' you should find some interesting stuff.
They are quite keen to show of what they do, I have been there a couple of times myself.
Brian
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Great work Tweaky!! I've thought about doing something along these lines too. I use FDM parts all the time for what I do. The process control on that is way too involved. Sintering I can see working. It would be neat to try some metal. Keep us posted. I have always thought it would be neat to mount a vat of something on my mill and use a 4th axis to run the Z with a laser in the spindle.
Monty
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for your comments and the information you have provided, it is much appreciated. Please keep your input coming.
What I am trying to do here is not new, nor is it cutting edge technology, or anything like that, it has all been done already – what I am attempting to do is to show that a ‘home built’ machine running Mach 3 can make a pretty good job of doing what the professional machines costing real mega bucks are doing right now. It probably won’t be many years before we all have a 3D printer sitting on our desks but until then we just have to get by, best we can.
Friday is a slack day for me, so I have spent most of the morning making this little actuator. Internally it has a spring and it operates just like a roller blind mechanism. It’s purpose it to provide the Z2 lift for my new ‘build jig’ which is slowly progressing. More photo’s to follow soon.
Tweakie
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If I get some more spare time tomorrow I will get the other two arms made, then this little part will be more or less complete.
Tweakie.
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Pretty neat stuff, Tweakie. Keep the pics coming!
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Have you looked at this method ?
http://www.custompartnet.com/wu/laminated-object-manufacturing
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Thanks for the info Graham,
I have not looked at that method but I did see a video of a machine doing just this where they were very cagey about how the paper layers were applied (they used sheet stock not rolls).
There are about a dozen or so (perhaps more) alternative methods all competing for the lead in rapid prototyping I wounder which will eventually come out on top ?.
Tweakie.
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From my observations of these machines I think the one that can make the part complete in one go with no fiddly support structures will be the winner, creating structures in fresh air has always been the sticking point for most methods, its only been in the last few years that the Zprinter and the like have really got it sorted.
http://www.thinglab.co.uk/printing_product.php?URL_=product_rapid_zcorp_zprinter_650&SubCatID_=66
Graham
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Thanks Graham, thats a beauty of a machine and the quality of the work produced is, I think, second to none.
I wonder how long it will be before we can all afford to buy one (without taking out a bank loan) ? ;D
I made the other two arms for my Z2 lift mechanism. It really looks so wierd that I just had to post a picture. (If I didn't know what it was I don't think I would ever be able to guess it's purpose)
I still have to fit the tyres to the bearings but so far and perhaps suprisingly it works exactly as expected.
(it rests on three points and supports a plate which also rests on three points - as the centre part has an internal spring, acting in torsion, it will support the weight of the top plate and the working medium whilst allowing verticall movement with a parallel motion).
Tweakie.
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Got some more parts made – well just one part really (times 4). I have a fascination for identical parts that interlock and this seemed like a good opportunity to laser cut some 6mm acrylic for the walls of my build jig (there is no doubt about it, a laser is the Dogs B’s for cutting acrylic). The tabs are a little on the tight side so they have not been fully pressed home yet, but this is how it will assemble and then be bonded with acrylic solvent. The lifting mechanism will sit inside and support the build table. Lots more parts to make but I am getting there slowly.
Tweakie.
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I love acrylic boxes for some simple reason, but alas, I'm simple that way, lol!
Looks great-
Dave
EDIT: About the tightness of good fitting parts, there is nothing like the satisfaction of getting the fit "dead nuts" perfect on the first time. ;)
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I am seriously considering a printer now. The level of work I am doing is continually getting more and more sophisticated and the "how" factor in planning milling strategies is becoming a $$ factor. I considered going 5th axis but the pathing software price for fluid 5th axis and the related PITA factor of tramming and keeping it trammed are simply not cost effective when i only cut wax anyhow. If i cut directly to metal.. different story.
The biggest downfall printing has now for me as a jeweller is that its resolution is low and its surface finish is .. well.. retarded.. under a loupe it looks lie someone chucked up on the surface.The good surface finish stuff cannot be cast and the castable stuff is grainy. I hate technology.
:)
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though this might be of interest to you as i was planning on looking into 3d printing.
this first link is a news report on a printer system
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8495000/8495812.stm
and this second is a link to the maker's webpage where you can by just the head which could be fitted to other m/c's
http://bitsfrombytes.co.uk/
worth a look if only for idears
martin
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Thanks for the links Martin.
As we have seen there are so many different ways / methods of 3D printing it would be really nice if we could get together a group with each working on a different method. Not as a competition but more of a combined technology sharing exercise and of course all driven by Mach as the common factor.
Tweakie.
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has anyone gotten further with this. I noticed that the scouring the internet i cannot find reprap to mach3 information. I am curious if mach 3 can handle 3d printing at all?? I am willing to work together to make this work out if possible.
Thanks
Tim
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Hi Tim,
For my part work has intervened into my play time so I have not made any progress in a while but I should get back on it again soon. :)
Tweakie.
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Just to keep everyone enthusiastic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snOErpOP5Xk
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Hi while investigating the possibility of converting of my router to 3D printing I found this site and it includes a Mach plug in. http://cnc2printer3d.wordpress.com/ Has anyone tried this and what kind of results did you get?.
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plyman,
There is some more info contained in this thread http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16310.0.html
Tweakie.