3D print devices and services

[Fonte Boa]

I'm trying to map the disponible end users 3d printers,
and the 3d printing online services.

Someone has some tips about them?
Price, the most consistent hardwares in market
for end users, costs to print etc?

Just to report,
where i live, i've found two machines "made in Brasil".

http://www.cliever.com.br/cliever/

http://metamaquina.com.br/

This last one is a university project built using Open Hardware and Softwares. All the diagrams etc are opened.

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And i've found an online service where you can upload your STL file, visualize it, choose the material, calculate the costs and order it.
Do you know another ones like this?

http://www.imprima3d.com/index.php?route...ct/product

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I've opened a thread at my very old forum ( www.wings3d.com.br/forum ) (officially in portuguese): you're invited to navigate around there.
I could transpose the old posts to a new version of phBBB and all you are welcomed.
The thread about 3d printing is at:
http://www.wings3d.com.br/forum/viewtopi...f=8&t=1758

[Fonte Boa]

www.shapeways.com
is many times quoted.
The site has a lot of information about how to optimize the model to 3d printing:
http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/

Someone around here already printed some model?!

[Ran13]

Main RepRap wiki page (RepRap is the most widely used 3D printer among the "maker" community:
http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page

Build your own RepRap page:
http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Build_A_RepRap

Note: I believe the RepRap design is now up to 70% self-replicating. In other words, the RepRap can "print" 70% of the parts needed to build another RepRap.

MakerBot... 2nd most widely used 3D printer
http://www.makerbot.com/

[micheus]

[off-topic]
I found this creative: ModelBox 3D: Give Your 2D Printer a Third Dimension!

[oort]

A friend told me about the following links a long time ago. He was looking into 3d prototypes of some of his ideas. I don't know if he ever used them and I never have. Shapeways has the added option of being able to sell 3d printed objects...

Shapeways

Quickparts

oort

[Fonte Boa]

Ran13 (i always remember Ranxerox when i read your nick name here ),
thank you VERY much for the info.
Very nice to know RepRap project: i'm just begin to read all those materials, but it seems user should acquire (if he doesnt want to build the printer himself) a PrusaMendel machine. This isnt yet clear to me: WHERE to buy one. It seems there is a vendors forum at RepRap page, but i'll have to verify their confiability...
Anyway, Ran, the link is fine: thanks!
Ah! The other option, MakerBot is a handsome machine: expensive, but pretty.
Where did you get the info it is "2nd most widely used 3D printer"?
I would like to found some comparision between this kind of end users machines, and what are the main differencials to be compared...

Micheus, thanks.

Oort, thanks too: i've already mentioned Shapeways above, but i didnt know yet about Quickparts services.

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Watching some videos about 3d printers and uploading some models just to verify how much ($) would it cost to have them printed, i noticed something interesting.
The costs are related to how many material will be used (cm3). So, if the models is SOLID the prices are higher than if they are HOLLOW (sorry for my english, maybe VOID is more adequated word).
Some videos of 3d printers working show this better: the fill of the piece isnt continuos, solid, but "full of holes", like a kind of net.

I dont know HOW to produce the kind of fill to a model.
Using Wings, i've just select a single face and apply Intrude command, just to generate a vaccum inside the piece (and of course a general "wall" with some thickness). Therefore, i didnt yet tried to upload a model like this: i'm afraid it isnt valid... I'll try and post here the result.

I've read in a Ran13 thread around about some Blender tools to deal with models to be printed. The video i've found is just partial (it seems training dvd with all the content is for sale), and there are tools to verify thickness etc.

My doubt is: if anyone wants to 3d print a model, what should be made about the piece filling? Blender tools treat this matter?
The main: a piece enterely hollow/void is less resistent than the pieces "fill with holes" (a kind of net)?

EDIT:
just a link to a video which shows that kind of filling i've mentioned ("fill with holes": dont laugh of my english, ok): for about 0'23" you can see what im talking about.



EDIT2:
Hey, Ran, just now i've noticed at the video about: it is a MakerBot machine!

EDIT3:
Sorry for extrapolate the matter, but this video affected my feelings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT3772yhr0o

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EDIT4:

I've found a comparison!

3d-printers.toptenreviews.com

EDIT5:
And there an interesting competition here (the prize is a 3d printer):

http://www.cgtrader.com/challenges-and-c...ition-2013

EDIT6:
Another comparision: i've discovered a model that works with stereography and resin.
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-3d-p...12-12?op=1

[oort]

Fonte Boa,
I don't know how I missed that you already listed Shapeways...

Here is another to make up for the duplicate...
Fab@Home

oort

[micheus]

Using Wings, i've just select a single face and apply Intrude command, just to generate a vaccum inside the piece (and of course a general "wall" with some thickness). Therefore, i didnt yet tried to upload a model like this: i'm afraid it isnt valid... I'll try and post here the result.

Yes, I think it's valid. Take a look at this link on Imprima3D for advises about the wall thick. It probably will depends on the material you will use. Take a look at this model:


I found this other site 3D print related in Brazil: Impressão 3D Printer

EDIT3:
Sorry for extrapolate the matter, but this video affected my feelings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT3772yhr0o

Amazing. A simple idea helping people fell better.

[Fonte Boa]

Thanks, Micheus:
according the first link you posted, the minimum wall thickness to a printer that is able to build 4mm walls should be the double: 8mm.
But my doubt is: how does the printer execute the model infill? Is this determined by the software that controls the device or user has to indicate this at the moment he builds the piece? (that is why i asked about Blender support tools for 3d printing?
For example, the Yoda model in the video i posted: why was it being printed that way and not full solid?

[Fonte Boa]

I would hate to have a 3d object printed with a rough finish: which kind of 3d printer is able to make objects with a smooth finish?

(the solution in the following picture was am acetone vapor bath...