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3D Printers for Home!
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=11205
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Author:  Nicodemus [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

http://www.desktopfactory.com/our_product/

Desktopfactory brings 3D printers for homa at price of 5000 dollars. That is quite much so I shall not be buying one, but maybe in the near future we see even cheaper models...

If those thingies gets popular they could really make revolution to whole industry. Think about it: The cost of the build material is expected to be about $1 per cubic inch. So 1 dollar for your own printable Marine. Or OOP Rogue Trader, or sculpt your own leetle Epic Terminator, scan it and then print whole lot of them. (Yeah, you could do that same thing with resin, only it takes lot more time and effort).





Author:  Enderel [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Very interesting, I remember DS and Otterman on about these things a while back.  Definately have to wait for a while for the price to go down though!

Author:  Sergeant_Crunch [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

The big issue with using them for miniatures is how think each layer is.  If it's too thick the stratification in the printed model isn't what we'd consider acceptable for a miniature model.  Once they make high resolution printers affordable is when you'll see wargamers buying them.

Author:  Enderel [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

I wonder how hard their material is?  If the detail doesn't show as Sergeant_Crunch mentions then we'd have to green stuff them or file them down.

Author:  Nicodemus [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!


(Sergeant_Crunch @ Dec. 12 2007,13:13)
QUOTE
The big issue with using them for miniatures is how think each layer is.

The thickness of each layer is 0.010 inch.

They say it is "durable" and even paintable!

Author:  Mojarn Piett [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:01 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!


(Nicodemus @ Dec. 12 2007,15:44)
QUOTE

(Sergeant_Crunch @ Dec. 12 2007,13:13)
QUOTE
The big issue with using them for miniatures is how think each layer is.

The thickness of each layer is 0.010 inch.

They say it is "durable" and even paintable!

Hm. That's .25mm. Might just be passable for 6mm minis.  :devil:

Author:  Moscovian [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:13 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

I think you'd be disappointed with .25mm layers.  On a 6mm scale that is quite noticeable.  Otterman had a buddy print off a 3-D model and the layers really stuck out.  The material is so strong though that filing is difficult and time consuming.  My attempts to cover the model with a layer of tacky glue failed as when I went to mould it the glue layer was too thin.  Oh well.

I have a student who has volunteered to help out with things recently and the layers should be substantially smaller on this printer.  I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Author:  Dwarf Supreme [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Like all new technology, I expect the price to drop. It might have an affect on the minis industry some day.

Author:  Dave [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

I'd say it already has.  Most of Reaper's CAVs are mastered from 3D printers, as are all of the Cold Navy, Ninja Magic and Xmarx models.

Author:  The_Real_Chris [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Really? Actually made using them - to then make moulds?

Or made as a base to build over?

I know GW finally got around to using CAD, hence the better plastics, but I though the final mock up in the miniature world needed to much detail for a printer to handle.

Of course once 3d scanners and printers combine its the end of mass market miniature companies. Piracy would wipe them out. You would be back to cottage industry catering to honest buyers. I oft wonder how ebook games do. I've got a great one for managing galactic empires (um, victory by any means) and bought mine, but when i wanted to run a campaign all but one wanted a copy of the pdf free and it was only $10!

Author:  Dave [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:11 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Yup, John Bear Ross did a lot of digital sculpting for Reaper.  His site has a lot of 3D printed models:

http://johnbearross.com/

He also did the first wave for Cold Navy, the prints can be found here:

http://coldnavy.xtreme-hobby.com/images/ships/prints/

Ninja Magic used to have some pictures of their 3D prints too, I can't find them however.

Author:  Yersinia Pestis [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

(i had a long post about the state of the technology, but then realized i was 6 years out of date)

the home models are probably like the ones i had in high school, rough and gritty.
ZCorp now has some wicked stuff, including metal 3-d printers and full color prints (wow!) their stuff is expensive as hell, but if anyone's interested in taking a look (way too expensive for all of you) check out http://www.zcorp.com/

(holy crap, look at that vase! that thing must cost a fortune!) http://www.zcorp.com/Products/3D-Printe ... spage.aspx

Author:  Otterman [ Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Yep, .1mm is no bueno. The layers make the models look like ass. Not the good kind of ass that one likes to slap, either. The bad kind, sort of like a crusty elephant ass.

The only other participant in 3D modelling (that I know of) is the guy from Starblazers miniatures. One of their recent minis (Bolar?) had a 3D substrate with detailing added via conventional sculpting.

Author:  Sergeant_Crunch [ Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:59 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Reaper's process is to print a digital model.  It is then sent to a silversmith who creates a silver version of the model.  Then the "silver" is used to create a master mold which is used to create the masters for the production mold.

3D Miniatures Design Group uses digital modeling and rapid prototyping for their models as well, though I believe their method skips the "silver" step Reaper uses in their process for CAV miniatures.





Author:  Otterman [ Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  3D Printers for Home!

Hey Sgt., I meant to ask the Reaper dudes during ReaperCon whom they use to do the modelling and printing. Do you know if they subcontract it? If so, to whom?

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