3D printers?

[Martin]

G-code is alive and well and is often at the heart of FDM 3D printers.
 Software like slic3r <http://slic3r.org/>  turns 3D models into G-code
files.  The G-code files are loaded onto the 3D printer to control the
extruder coordinates and output.

Some friends have developed an interesting CNC controller aimed at this
sort of application -
TinyG<https://github.com/synthetos/TinyG/wiki/What-is-TinyG> in
action <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEXy6E8G154>

Martin


On Mon, Mar 17, 2014 at 4:45 PM, Alex Fraser <beatnic at comcast.net> wrote:

>  Good points.  G codes are a bit outdated in today's world, but they are
> pretty much universal and they do work in CNC machining.  G codes move the
> tool (or the table under the tool) and when you think about it are
> mimicking what a machinist would do by hand or in 3 D work by both hands
> and both feet ;-).   I wouldn't say 3D printing is impossible, the future
> can be tricky to predict, but I do think people who want to make things in
> the real world should know how things behave in the real world.  The idea
> that a computer programmer can write some code to create real parts without
> having first learned how to make parts in practice is asking for
> problems.
>
> I worked in the Physic machine shop at the University of Maryland.  We did
> a good deal of work for student engineers.  Their comprehension of how to
> make things varied even among those studying to be mechanical engineers.
> The ones who were the best and handed us drawing that you could actually
> use where often the German students.  On talking to them I found that as
> part of their education they had to apprentice as tool and die makers!  The
> country that combines the learned wisdom of the shop floor with the logical
> writings of programmers is going to win big in the future.  There are some
> social and political problems to overcome as well as the technical
> problems, but nothing that can't be figured out.  I'm for a 20 hour work
> week! Let the robots do the work as long as I get a piece of the pie.
>
> Martin wrote, On 3/17/2014 12:24 PM:
>
> This observation is limited to FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) machines
> feed with low melting point temperature plastic filament like PLA and ABS.
>
>  I first encountered a Rep-Rap Darwin at HacDC about five years ago.  It
> took hundreds to thousands of hours tinkering on it to successfully print
> anything.  We are up to a heavily modified Prusa Mendel II.  It does work
> but requires constant attention and tweaking to keep it running.  Many of
> the low cost hobby machines are probably not better.  I believe that a
> fraction of the Makerbot kits were never successfully made to work.
>
>  A large obstacle is design entry.  This involves learning a 3D cad
> system to create the models to be printed.  It seems that this is one area
> where you get what you pay for.  There are some popular free programs like
> Blender and OpenSCAD.  While easy to learn Sketch-up models don't print
> well.
>
>  Another limitation is the printed part melts at a relatively low
> temperature.  This isn't a problem for some things, but something used in a
> hot car interior could fail.
>
>  So there also the limitations of tool work size, accuracy, limitations
> on what can be built due to shape, etc.
>
>  To see some thing that were 3D printed, check out Thingaverse<http://www.thingiverse.com/>
>
>
>  For me, between the time and money investment in a printer and CAD
> software, a CNC mill would be more useful.
>
>  HTH,
>
>  Martin KB3UJQ
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 17, 2014 at 11:30 AM, William Fenn <bfenn at cox.net> wrote:
>
>> Terry,
>>
>> Mike (KA2ZEV) was making a lot of things with a 3D printer where he
>> worked several years ago.
>>
>> Bill
>> N4TS
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Terry Fox
>> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2014 9:16 PM
>> To: tacos at amrad.org
>> Subject: 3D printers?
>>
>>
>> Anyone in tacoland using a 3D printer?  I'm doing some research, and would
>> like to know if anyone here has first-hand experience?
>> 73, Terry, WB4JFI
>>
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