Some GHers have made 3D printed caps, but the quality isn't really great.
Some GHers have made 3D printed caps, but the quality isn't really great.
Well I'm pretty sure that the original BroBot V2s that the mold was made from were 3D printed. They're just too even and symmetrical.
Sure, right now 3D printers are more for prototyping but they will and can do things that are not really possible otherwise (hollow parts are a good example and I think there were some experiments with printed steaks?). Just wait a bit until they have developed their full potential.
I think you mean a "lathe", but the Pocket NC is more advanced than that. It's a 5-axis Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) milling machine. The cutting bit is mounted in a spindle and spins at a controlled speed. The other parts move either the spindle or the work piece to get the cutting bit to carve out the shape.
It can do inside and outside edges and really complex shapes except for "closed" shapes with empty areas inside. For that you need to make 2 parts. You are right that 3D printing uses less material, but it has to be a very specific material and usually the requirements are a balancing act (it needs to have a specific melting point, have a specific consistency at that point, harden without shrinking, etc. balanced with strength and toughness when hardened) whereas you can CNC mill almost any solid material by using the right cutting bits, spindle speed and movement rate.
Can't do this with a 3D printer (at least not if you actually want to use the part, notice the surface finish on the blades):
3D printing can do complex shapes, but not at really high detail level, low tolerance and high strength, like you can with CNC.
I just don't really see many real world use cases where a 3D printer is that useful. If you are making a rough prototype of a casing for a mouse, then sure, it will work. If you want to actually mass produce the mouse casing, you'll need a CNC machine to make the molds. So why not just go for a CNC machine from the start ;) I do admit that the really big, really accurate machines are VERY expensive, which is why the PocketNC is so interesting. It can do the size of parts most small startups would need and is affordable.
Some GHers have made 3D printed caps, but the quality isn't really great.
Well I'm pretty sure that the original BroBot V2s that the mold was made from were 3D printed. They're just too even and symmetrical.
The best use case for 3D printing is rapid prototyping, which I used to test my V2's before going to a CNC mold.
The best use case for 3D printing is rapid prototyping, which I used to test my V2's before going to a CNC mold.
Well my guess was kind of close then ;)
But it makes sense that you got it machined via CNC, I guess it doesn't break as easy?
it's always funny seeing people go gaga over 3d printing.
they've been used by PIM companies for well over a decade now and most likely 2 or 3. they're really nice to have when you're making products that need to be held in someone's hand...like a handle on a walker for example. you get to try out dozens of shapes and sizes without any real risk.
the only thing that's happened recently is that those 3d printer designers have started selling their decades old design to consumers now without actually fixing any of the problems.
Well, I guess the thing right now is the fact that they're starting to get "affordable"... it's no longer a 20 000$ machine.. anyhow, I really don't know much about this stuff at all. Just wondering if 3D printing keycaps actually was an option.
Well, I guess the thing right now is the fact that they're starting to get "affordable"... it's no longer a 20 000$ machine.. anyhow, I really don't know much about this stuff at all. Just wondering if 3D printing keycaps actually was an option.
yeah printing keycaps certainly is possible, but printing an entire board worth is a waste: cost, time, etc. just won't even out. now printing novelty caps...
it's always funny seeing people go gaga over 3d printing.
they've been used by PIM companies for well over a decade now and most likely 2 or 3. they're really nice to have when you're making products that need to be held in someone's hand...like a handle on a walker for example. you get to try out dozens of shapes and sizes without any real risk.
the only thing that's happened recently is that those 3d printer designers have started selling their decades old design to consumers now without actually fixing any of the problems.
Well, I guess the thing right now is the fact that they're starting to get "affordable"... it's no longer a 20 000$ machine.. anyhow, I really don't know much about this stuff at all. Just wondering if 3D printing keycaps actually was an option.
No offence taken, mate :) and you've definetely got a point. Hasn't this technology been around since at least the 80's? Or that's what I've heard at least.it's always funny seeing people go gaga over 3d printing.
they've been used by PIM companies for well over a decade now and most likely 2 or 3. they're really nice to have when you're making products that need to be held in someone's hand...like a handle on a walker for example. you get to try out dozens of shapes and sizes without any real risk.
the only thing that's happened recently is that those 3d printer designers have started selling their decades old design to consumers now without actually fixing any of the problems.
Well, I guess the thing right now is the fact that they're starting to get "affordable"... it's no longer a 20 000$ machine.. anyhow, I really don't know much about this stuff at all. Just wondering if 3D printing keycaps actually was an option.
sorry. no, i don't mean to say you're wrong or silly about your thinking at all. Yes, cost is to something to account for.
I was just commenting on how old some of the issues with 3d printing actually are (and why we shouldn't have super high hopes). something like keycaps is fine, but when people are suggesting making knives, guns, and medical equipment thinking that 3d printed products are revolutionary...well, if they were, we'd all have hoverboards by now.
3D printing is a step in the proper direction. Remember the huge changes machined replaceable parts made to the Industrial Revolution? With a bit more work, time, and expansion put into the idea; 3D printing could easily become a mainstay in the very near-future's lifestyle.
it's always funny seeing people go gaga over 3d printing.
they've been used by PIM companies for well over a decade now and most likely 2 or 3. they're really nice to have when you're making products that need to be held in someone's hand...like a handle on a walker for example. you get to try out dozens of shapes and sizes without any real risk.
the only thing that's happened recently is that those 3d printer designers have started selling their decades old design to consumers now without actually fixing any of the problems.
Well see, that's kind of a big deal, selling the means to consumers. It's open source now making it the veritable Wild West of self-manufacturable plastics. And so much of our societies structure is already built around plastic bits and pieces.
The cost benefit ratio is the issue here, and a 3D printer needs to be cheap and able to produce high-quality pieces at the same time. The technology's just not there yet though, but it will be very soon and that's what to look forward to. I mean something like this, if marketed and utilized properly, could make a huge dent in almost every consumer market imaginable while cutting out shipping costs to boot. The possibilities and sheer utilitarian values are staggering, honestly it very well could put your favorite keycap manufacturer's out of business over a weekend.
... if you can machine them to greater accuracy from more durable materials for roughly the same cost, why bother.
Hmm... yes, you do have a point. I am very much a DIY kind of person, so I do tend to look for the most effective solution that may include learning, building, etc.
Maybe not everyone is like me..... :eek: :-\ ahem.
The simplicity is a drawcard for those not inclined to doing what it takes to become a hobby machinist (I'm not saying one or the other is better, just that there are different types of people), so it will get "manufacturing" into the hands of more people. Another "beneficial" factor in home 3D printing is that since the resolution is not that high, you don't need to use ultra-precise rails, screws and steppers, so you can make a printer more cheaply than a CNC machine.
I guess it has its place, but it won't be replacing most commercial plastic manufacture solutions or CNC solutions, IMHO. I happen to think it's worth stepping up to CNC if you really want to make more than just a few trinkets.
Back on topic (kind of):
In terms of what really matters (keycaps, hehe) I don't think any of the cheaper printers will be able to make decent quality keycaps for quite a while yet. Or any FDM (Fused Desposition Modeling) machine, really. Good laser-cured resin machines like the FORM 1 could do it, but only in one colour and at quite a high cost. Not sure that there's a way to make their system much cheaper, either. Then there are Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machines which could have good enough resolution depending on the material used (and they tend to always leave a somewhat rough surface), but again, it's not going to be easy to reduce costs enough to make it a "one in every home" thing (Shapeways is currently the best option here) and it takes about as much learning to operate one as CNC.
Which brings me to the point that for some materials, it doesn't take much to learn to operate something like the PocketNC. The software can tell you what bit to use based on the material and then it does the rest.
In the end, modeling the parts may be the most difficult step in using either system.
[EDIT] - hmmmm...... I think I may just be able to prove myself wrong here.... It MAY be possible to make a VERY accurate laser cured resin printer cheaply (say $300), and get resins at a reasonable price, too ($125 per litre of high quality resin, maybe 5-10 full keycaps sets worth?). Maybe... [/EDIT]
I agree with Oobly. The main problem why the 3D printing isn't as good as machining is because 3D printing is kind of like gluing a new blob of plastic onto another part of plastic that just hardened. Almost like using a hot glue gun to build something sizable.
If anyone want's advice on getting started into home CNC machining, feel free to contact me. One of the best small CNC machines is the Taig CNC machine. More robust than the Sherline competitor, and it's no bigger than a drill press, yet the precision is amazing. It can hold a 1 to 2 thou tolerance out of the box and it's only about $2-4K to get one up and running. Quiet enough to run without waking the family too.Show Image(http://www.taigtools.com/Images/crmill1.JPG)
I agree with Oobly. The main problem why the 3D printing isn't as good as machining is because 3D printing is kind of like gluing a new blob of plastic onto another part of plastic that just hardened. Almost like using a hot glue gun to build something sizable.
If anyone want's advice on getting started into home CNC machining, feel free to contact me. One of the best small CNC machines is the Taig CNC machine. More robust than the Sherline competitor, and it's no bigger than a drill press, yet the precision is amazing. It can hold a 1 to 2 thou tolerance out of the box and it's only about $2-4K to get one up and running. Quiet enough to run without waking the family too.Show Image(http://www.taigtools.com/Images/crmill1.JPG)
I agree with Oobly. The main problem why the 3D printing isn't as good as machining is because 3D printing is kind of like gluing a new blob of plastic onto another part of plastic that just hardened. Almost like using a hot glue gun to build something sizable.
If anyone want's advice on getting started into home CNC machining, feel free to contact me. One of the best small CNC machines is the Taig CNC machine. More robust than the Sherline competitor, and it's no bigger than a drill press, yet the precision is amazing. It can hold a 1 to 2 thou tolerance out of the box and it's only about $2-4K to get one up and running. Quiet enough to run without waking the family too.Show Image(http://www.taigtools.com/Images/crmill1.JPG)