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Discussion
A question for you that use safeways/3Dprinters
Ok,
I was hoping one of you guys could explain(in simple terms)what is involve with designing and printing parts using either safeways or a 3d printer? Do you have to have a digital background or knowledge such as what is involved in CNC type work? Is this something that a person could learn in a couple weeks and purchase a printer and actually build parts themselves like Meerkat is now doing? Also what would be a decent economical printer for doing the work we would like to do such as building fan housings,rotors and aircraft parts....... Thanks for any info you guys can provide........................................... Chris |
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If you want to learn it in weeks you will probably need training, and be a very fast learner. Then you would probably be able to do simple parts on your own in a week.
You need a CAD drawing of the part. It can take years to get good at CAD. Some people might help you draw a part, certainly likely if your paying. The CAD drawing gets processed into code the printer can understand. This is often done in another program. It slices the part into layers, as it is printed one layer at a time. How the part is supported, and angled on the tray makes a big difference in the parts finish, and strength. That can take some time to figure out. Adjustment of the machine to produce its best results can also take awhile to learn. |
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Hi Chris,
+1 to everything above ! If you really have a burning desire to learn CAD then my suggestion is to check your local college to see if they offer a class in CAD. What's nice about that is you get to ask questions to a 'real' person and you may get free CAD software for a year ! Another thing is that once you start you have to practice, practice, practice and practice some more ... really. I think that some people believe that all you do is push a button and out pops an airplane design ...... NOT TRUE ! Just like with everything else the more you want out of it, the more you have to put into it. As far as printing goes it looks cool and sexy and to some extent it is but, in my opinion, it's still an evolving technology. Every printing process has it's limitations and you have to understand that and design accordingly. I hope all this doesn't sound negative because if you put in the work you'll be rewarded with a new set of powerful skills to tackle your next project ... for sure ! |
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RotoRob,
Jumo004, Thank you guys for the replies.. I think Im going to hunt around online to see if I can find some basic info or even a basic online course to help me get started in understanding the basics of what is involved.. I really like the idea of being able to build my own parts such as cockpits,fans,ect... I am quite a quick learner and feel like I might be able to pick up some of the basics in designing and building my own parts.. I will post up any info I find that might be helpful to others trying to get started in this newer method of building.. Thanks fellas and please post up any info you might happen to come across.. Thanks fellas and take care.............................................. .............Chris |
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What the hell, give it a shot, I bet you surprise yourself !!
You might take a look at Moment of Inspiration (Moi). It has a 30 day free trial and a great forum to ask questions and a reasonable price. If your new to CAD then all programs are going to be tough but this one seems to be a 'little' more user friendly (imo). http://moi3d.com/ Good Luck !! |
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I know what your talking about on the time involved. I have been able to teach people to draw simple things very quickly. My F22 took me almost a year to draw. But that was done in spare time, and Bobcad v23 is not the quickest software for 3D modeling. In fact the software crashed so many times I got annoyed with saving after any major change. I learned enough on that project, I could draw it again much faster though.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1759433 |
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Thanks for all the responses!
Invertmast, Yes I know of your dedication to modeling after following your F14 work!! That screams dedication in and of itself.. When I mentioned weeks I was more referring to getting a general outline of what amount of time would be needed to learn the ins and outs of generl use and certainly not building complex parts as you guys are now doing.. I am a very fast learner but I see we are talking about years of learning and not weeks or even months.. Its the same with doing CNC design and manufacture..Anything worth doing is worth doing is worth doing right and theres no better time than the present to get started.. When I found this cockpit work being done by 3d printing I figured it was time to jump in as I plan to model until my fingers no longer work so I plan to start saving a little money to go to a fund for buying my first printer and start the learning process..The good thing I guess is that its popularity is exploding and more and more people will be offering classes and posting tutorials online... Thank you all very much for posting your thoughts and please by all means keep the discussion moving forward.. Here are a few complex parts I found going through links from anothr thread that truly show what is possible in scale modeling using this technique.. Thanks all............................................... ......Chris |
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Last edited by Hover or die; Jun 06, 2015 at 02:12 PM.
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