We’re bouncing back and forth between high tech and low tech, from 5 axis milling machines to hands on clay mockups for body kits, today it’s back to high tech with this brand new 3D printer for the desktop from HP, the HP Designjet 3D Printer. It’s now on sale in Europe starting around $17,500, still a bit high for the home do it yourself designer, but pretty amazing, nevertheless.
Engineers can model their parts in 3D software and instead of using some very expensive milling machines and needing a highly skilled machinist to see what the part looks like in real life, they just hit the print button.
The HP printer uses ABS plastic to form the parts. The printer weighs 130 pounds and is 30 by 26 by 26 inches. It will literally fit on a sturdy desktop. One version is capable of printing in multiple colors so you can color each piece differently to show how they fit together.
Obviously, these parts cannot be used in the actual product, they’re models only, but think about how far we’ve come in the last few years. Not long ago, this was the stuff of science fiction, then only something available to the biggest companies, now it’s something small design firms can put to work. Is a home version in the future? Bet on it.
Link: Hewlett Packard via Popular Science
todd says
One key point; you don’t have to be an “engineer” to build the 3D models. There are some amazingly easy 3D programs available right now.
Some of the parts, depending on the application, will be sturdy enough for real use. You could make some side covers or a rear tail piece, maybe some outer engine case covers. Besides, you don’t have to actually BUY the machine, there already are companies around that will build the parts for you. Prices are coming down and I think that’s awesome.
This place here (protomold.com) does injection molding, building soft (aluminum) tooling that you could use for 10 to 10,000 pieces or so if you want to sell some of them. Prices start around $1500. http://www.protomold.com/
Imagine the possibilities.
-todd
sheraz says
can we use it for jewellery production.
Phoebe says
Well, we already have desktop 3D printers, but most are not quite as sophisticated as this HP. On the other hand, they don’t carry a $17k price tag either.
nortley says
I have a model kit made by this process which is superior in many ways to molded plastic kits. It is the only process available which allowed the kit designer to go directly to profitable limited production.
Scott says
Two things: first, Alibre Design is currently selling their base 3D CAD program for $99, an unbeatable price for its capabilities, and we had a Dimension 3D printer about six years ago that used the same technology as the HP (it was $40K back then), but we used the parts in many prototypes, including a two-stage planetary gear reduction for a liquid chromatography valve that ran over a million cycles. I later discovered that we could make a part and then do a heat soak near the heat deformation temp, but at least 10° below the melt temp (220°F), the part would shrink slightly, but would also gain considerable strength. I would usually run one part, cycle it through the oven, measure the critical dimensions, and then scale up the part to achieve the proper final dimension after heat treatment. We once received a RFQ for a new design from Agilent Germany, and when they visited to discuss the design three days later, I handed them a working prototype. We got the job on the spot.
Obviously, these components won’t deliver motorcycle levels of strength, but it can’t be far off.
Also, the place that Todd mentioned, Protomold, has a division called First Cut that can deliver CNC machined aluminum or polymer parts from a 3D file in 1-3 days, and you can get an automated quote in a few minutes on their website.
Prestons says
Looks like a nice machine for the money. Note the parts must fit inside a 8″ x 8″ x 6″ volume so don’t expect large parts unless they are pieced together. As mentioned by Scott, the parts are not the 100% of moulded ABS parts. This machine is essentially a computer controlled hot melt glue gun. There will be small voids and imperfect bonding between layers.
Much progress has been made in rapid prototyping but its been about 25 years in development. The first sterolithography parts were egg shell fragile.
Aindriú says
As a CAD Tech., I’ve always wanted one of these to do some rapid prototyping for personal projects, and it’s great to see prices coming down quickly. $17.5k is still considerably out of my financial reach, but maybe only a few side projects away. (one can hope right? lol)
anon says
I’ve got a laser printer at home, and the only thing I’ve printed in the last 6 years are a few maps (before I bought a $100GPS/NAV) and a passport renewal application – 99.999% of the stuff that I _might_ have printed was just transmitted in digital form… Accordingly, my scanner sees much more use.
No doubt this is fascinating technology, but I can’t help but think that the state-of-the-art design software that makes it possible, will also quickly make it obsolete. The real advances will be in 3D scanners: scan in an existing design, [re]create an accurate digital solid model, make whatever modifications are necessary, then validate it in software before sending it off for manufacture – THAT’s the future. Printing of prototypes in plastic will eventually be seen as wasteful and unnecessary just as printing on paper is now.
Where will this technology go? Printing in final materials! Printing in foam? I can really imagine something like this being useful for printing the patterns for lost foam castings. Eventually, even printing in metal to final finish specs. Imagine some sort of advanced vapor deposition technology that can print metal parts to final finish specs. In the interim; imagine printing in metal powder and then sintering…that seems almost attainable right now.
masonv45 says
Jay Leno’s Garage has a clip showing use of a 3D scanner/printer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvzcGdZsTc
todd says
Don’t forget the NextEngine Desktop 3D scanner for $3000. Makes reverse engineering that old motorcycle for limited reproduction a piece of cake.
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/04/18/nextengine-desktop-3d-scanner-for-solidworks/
-todd
Dai says
http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
A 3D printer on the cheap About €500 which can replicate itself. Not sure on what parts it can make or how complicated they can be but, worth a look.
David/cigarrz says
This is quite appropriate to the conversation we had awhile back. There will be a decentralization of manufacturing. The only question is are you going to carve out your niche or take advantage of the services available from those that do and build your dream product to offer to the world.
Paulinator says
@ Anon – There is a “build” taking place about 20 ft from me as I write this. The proto-typing machine is generating functional components that will be shipped to a live demonstration in about 22 hours because that customer won’t change there spec. based only on a Power-Point presentation. I can’t blame them. Industry will be “wasting” plastic (or whatever medium) for the foreseeable future.
I agree with you fully about integrating processes by printing (or CNC machining) in a sacrifice medium, however. I jokingly commented about my tilt-smelter yesterday…but think about how easy it is to generate “hard” components to complex shapes and surprizingly repeatable accuracy. Another benefit is that the design is freed from some of the limitations imposed by standard molding pricipals such as draft-angles and parting lines.
Doug says
The comments on this post have been an ABSOLUTE joy to read. My comment is not sarcasm but candor. So much of the commentary is often negativity and criticism of innovators putting forth contributions. On this post, all the comments have been wonderful. Smart people sharing their knowledge of capabilities and potential. Bravo. Anyone know of a vendor that produces short run molded plastic or fiberglass bodies? Something about the size of a full enclosed motorcycle fairing. Possibly in 3 to 4 pieces. Thanks and Cheers!
Pamberjack says
A home version? Riiight. Like every family is aching to be able to produce their own engineering samples. Don’t think so…
todd says
Well, we now have digital cameras and photo printers. People used to go have portraits painted. I can even remember sending film off to a 1-hour photo, how quaint. For the last 10 years now I’ve had my own lab quality dye-sub photo printer sitting next to my bubblejet. I think nothing of it. People used to hire a coach to take them into town Now we have our own cars and motorcycles – or we just shop at home. It was once common to go to theater now we flip channels.
People have all sorts of “needs” that they don’t yet understand the inconvenience of the current paradigm. Unexpected guests coming for dinner? Print a few extra plates, maybe a chair. Want to make your wife some cute costume jewelry? Draw, print. This may not only be limited to “things”. “honey, run over to the neighbors and see if they can print you up some milk and eggs. Forget it, just have them print the whole cake.”
-todd
FREEMAN says
@Anon:
There is RP machines that print in metal powder. After printing, the part can be strengthened by wicking another material, some kind of bronze or bronze-alloy in the examples I’ve seen, into the metal powder model.
FREEMAN says
A quick look on wiki shows the various methods on RP printing and the materials they use.
marco says
Anaogy with digital cameras and printers….
Every household has them. The quality of the photographs however is not upto the level of a good trained photographer with equipment of 20 years back…..
So this kind of stuff will not be used meaningfull without engineering training.
As so many times “what is possible” does not match “what do I understand of this particular subject”…..
We use these tehcniques (3d printing and so on) a lot for samples. To check assumptions. To test. To make better products.
95% of the final result is however based upon knowledge, training and expierence as a professional….
bblix says
I’ve been using these technologies, in various forms, for nearly 15 years. They are very useful for evaluation and sales purposes. Also useful to make fixturing/nests for production. There are machines that are capable of making usable plastic components (PC, if I recall). There are machines that extrude wax that then are used for castings. I’ve looked at machines that sinter powdered metal into net 3D forms that are then infused with bronze and make injection molds. There are laser deposition machines that I’ve read about that were used to build working valves for an engine…
It’s all good stuff, and leveraged properly, can greatly improve the design, build process.
Roel Scheffers says
Cool, cool! I had my own designed bike printed lately (see website), want one of those printers of my own!
Nick says
I have a fully functional crescent wrench from a rapid prototype machine that I saw at IBM. They print using three nozzles, one of which prints a water soluble plastic that allows them to print otherwise impossible shapes in one session and with no assembly. Such as crescent wrenches or chains
todd says
Hey Roel, interesting; rigid rear sport bike with a sprung seat. That’s a pretty unique application I’d say. Also good use of a shaft-drive inline 4 converted to chain.
-todd
tom says
As a point of reference, the base MSRP of a Bridgeport Series 1 knee mill (not to be confused with a kneeslider) is over $14,000. At $17,500 to buy the equipment, 3D printing is now within reach of even small commercial machine shops.
Roel Scheffers says
@ todd, that was the idea.. to create something totally unique…. 🙂 .. parts are being fabricated as we speak.. hope I can test-drive it somewhere this summer..
rafe03 says
Ever wanted a set of twin plug heads (ELCO Twin) to fit a V8 FlatHead Ford? A friend in Sweden who works for a company that does stainless steel castings (medical stuff) used the companies RP machine to make the patterns (from a CAD design) in a couple of evenings, had them cast from 356 Al at a local foundry, & machined on a CNC machine, again during off-hours at work. Very slick & trick looking! Been in service for several years now.
Trying to get a price out of him for a set of my own but he mumbles something about conflict of interest & his English language skills evaporate!
Off to http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page & DIY-CAD/CAM to build my own! [Yea, Yea, Sure! Can’t even keep my PC running properly! Good thing we;ve got kids to help us out!] It’s all coming soon though, to a hacker near you!
rafe03
anon says
@FREEMAN
Thanks for the link. I had NO idea this technology had already progressed so far! I think I have some reading up to do… The Wiki article on “Direct Metal Laser Sintering” is particularly interesting.
@Paulinator. Good points. Definitely the ability to create shapes that are not otherwise manufacturable is an important advance.
Hossein says
Hello
would you please ,introduce me a simple model with some picture sample productions?
I want to use for make the golden modeling.
thanks
Steve says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88BPmL8cGAo