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Following this technology I'd like one but for what? This article has some interesting points like:
Quote:
One way to tell we are still at the start of the technology is in learning how long it takes to actually do the new tech. Just like 2D printing used to be painfully slow, so 3D printing is today. I printed the sample “XYZ logo-keychain.stl” model that came with the printer. Its mere 2x3x1/4-inch size took 37 minutes to print.
I've noticed speed is a big issue when reading about 3D printing. I'm interested in it because I have a chess set I designed around 20 years ago that I still want to make. It's either 3D printing or CNC using a lathe.
I think they're cool. I make all sorts of 3D models to teach my nieces and nephew how things work. I was able to print a replica of a human hand that they were amazed at. They were able to build on it and learn the different bones. Yesterday I tried to design a miniature internal combustion engine with a crank shaft... but it completely failed (I'm not a CAD guy).
My suggestion is to just pick one or two up and play with it. There's no need to justify it. It might be useful, it might not. Give it a shot before you decide.
They can be had for about half that if you want a kit, and dig around on ebay (RepRap knockoffs).
A friend has had a few, including that Da Vinci (the 1.0), and the Da Vinci 2.0 (dual extruder) ...
The Da Vinci is super fast / easy to get up and running (he was printing out of the box faster with it than any other), and seems to be pretty well put together. He did have an issue with the glass bed chipping, but it was replaced under warranty.
But .... It uses a cartridge of plastic (that's chipped to try to prevent you from refilling them), and is only capable of printing with ABS (you can't change the temp of the head to use PLA or any of the other materials).
You can print / build a chip resetter to get around buying their cartridges, and reflash the firmware on the printer to open it up to more advanced capabilities.
With the second, he flashed the firmware and has a lot more power, but says it also takes more work to do prints, so it's a trade off.
That might be a great printer, but the website is crap. I gave up looking at it because I was forced to scroll up and down constantly to avoid all the floating garbage on it. And those instant drop down menus. Add a timer so I can run my mouse over them without obscuring the entire screen. Of course once they open they don't want to close so I have to bide my time if I want to look at the page content. Which I don't after fighting all the junk.
Who thinks they are giving anything other than a negative impression to visitors when they do that?
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