[OFF TOPIC]- Typical costs of desktop 3D printers

[JayateerthaMala]

Dear all,

Sorry for posting a non-Pro/E CAD related question - kindly bear with
me:-).



I wanted to the typical desktop 3D printers/small sized 3D printers that
you use and their approximate costs.



We currently get 3D parts done from outside shops & wanted to know the
costs of one having in house. Our prototypes (2-5 models/month,
typically will fit in 10"X10"X10" envelope) are used for form/fit type
studies and would be subjected to water/liquid based testing such as
flow rates, dispense rates etc. Hence they need to leak-proof. Also, the
prototypes need to a smooth finish (SLA or Objet type & not FDM) so that
O-ring fitments can also be validated.



Thank you for your responses in advance - I will post a summary.



Regards,

Jay

[mjenkins]

I have heard good things about this one $14,900* USD:

http://www.dimensionprinting.com/

http://www.funtech.com/Products/uPrint

In Reply to Jay KM:

Dear all,

Sorry for posting a non-Pro/E CAD related question - kindly bear with
me:-).



I wanted to the typical desktop 3D printers/small sized 3D printers that
you use and their approximate costs.



We currently get 3D parts done from outside shops & wanted to know the
costs of one having in house. Our prototypes (2-5 models/month,
typically will fit in 10"X10"X10" envelope) are used for form/fit type
studies and would be subjected to water/liquid based testing such as
flow rates, dispense rates etc. Hence they need to leak-proof. Also, the
prototypes need to a smooth finish (SLA or Objet type & not FDM) so that
O-ring fitments can also be validated.



Thank you for your responses in advance - I will post a summary.



Regards,

Jay

Michael R. Jenkins P.E.
Design Engineer
Direct: 816-801-2332
Fax: 816-891-9432

Commercial Vehicle Systems
Haldex Brake Products Corporation
10930 North Pomona Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64153-1215

[JeffHoracek]

Jay

The dimension 3d printer is basically an FDM. The both utilize ABS. If
you're looking for something affordable, and the parts a relatively
strong, I think you're best bet is to utilize the FDM technology. When
we want "water tight" parts, we will dip the part in acetone for about
10-15 seconds and this seals the inherent porosity. It's not going to
handle real high pressure but may do the trick. I remember on the
Stratasys website some time ago the had a video of a working lawn
sprinkler. We just had a salesman in a couple of weeks ago regarding the
dimension. If you're really serious, contact someone and send them a
.stl of a representative part. My experience is that they'll be more
than happy to make a part for you if it means a sale.

Jeff Horacek
Sr. Designer

STERIS Corporation
5960 Heisley Rd.
Mentor, OH 44060
p (440) 392-7721
f (440) 392-8954

[grocha]

Hi,

I worked with Objet printing machines, that have a different approach from the others once they really print models like a regular printer but moving the "Z" axis downs in each step of printing.

The overall precision is impressive relative to the cost, and, I can't affirm but theyr material (resin)is impermeable I guess, nice functional resistance too.

But I can't tell you about pricing once here in Brazil we have insane taxes for imported devices, I just think you should check it out before buy something:

http://www.objet.com/3D-Printer/Alaris30/

One thing I advise you, take in account the maintenance costs, there is some machines that you MUST change the entire printing head like once a year, objet maintenance is nice couse of the interchangeable heads (the head is subdivided) and you need to change it only when it is obstructed (it takes long time), depending of the price of the resin cartridges on your country it can be lucrative.

Guilherme Rocha - Tech Support Consultant

PLM Solutions do Brasil

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