3D printing options?

[Steve]

For some reason yesterday I was reading some things on 3D printing, and it made me remember this thread. Any traction on the idea? Here is what the DCPL says about the pricing: “Printing cost is $.05 per gram (of object’s weight) plus a $1 charge. Most prints range from $1-$5.”

So….assuming a bike frame weighs ~20lbs, we could print one for about $450.

[GuyContinental]

@Steve 71877 wrote:

For some reason yesterday I was reading some things on 3D printing, and it made me remember this thread. Any traction on the idea? Here is what the DCPL says about the pricing: “Printing cost is $.05 per gram (of object’s weight) plus a $1 charge. Most prints range from $1-$5.”

So….assuming a bike frame weighs ~20lbs, we could print one for about $450.

I go as far as getting a library card and then ended up super busy… The good news is that the first mover rush is probably over! Maybe I’ll go Christmas week.

[DismalScientist]

@Steve 71877 wrote:

So….assuming a bike frame weighs ~20lbs, we could print one for about $450.

Gee, I wonder what the physical properties are of a bike frame made of polylactic acid…:rolleyes:

(or ABS if you go the expensive route!)

[PotomacCyclist]

TechShop is opening in Crystal City this spring. It’s a membership-based workshop. They have announced that they will have over $1 million in equipment, including a 3D printer. Construction started this past week, in the old Safeway at the Shops (Underground).

[consularrider]

@DismalScientist 71897 wrote:

Gee, I wonder what the physical properties are of a bike frame made of polylactic acid…:rolleyes:

(or ABS if you go the expensive route!)

You mean they have come up with a crabon printer yet? Maybe a kickstarter project for someone.

[mstone]

@DismalScientist 71897 wrote:

Gee, I wonder what the physical properties are of a bike frame made of polylactic acid…:rolleyes:

(or ABS if you go the expensive route!)

A lot of people seem to like plastic bikes. (ducks)

disclaimer: it is possible to print a steel bike, but it would end up more walmart than columbus. I think we’re a long way from seeing either the right kind of plastic or the right kind of metal in a 3d printer.

[nikki_d]

That is awesome! My BF is really excited. He has had to talk industrial places into waterjet laser cutting acrylic for his art projects so the option of trying it himself is definitely worth trying a membership for a month or two. For the past few years he has just done non-credit classes at the Corocran for access to most equipment (they don’t have a waterjet laser cutter though).

[PotomacCyclist]

@PotomacCyclist 71913 wrote:

TechShop is opening in Crystal City this spring. It’s a membership-based workshop. They have announced that they will have over $1 million in equipment, including a 3D printer. Construction started this past week, in the old Safeway at the Shops (Underground).

More info on TechShop: http://www.techshop.ws/arlington.html

From their website:

Opening in Spring 2014

“TechShop DC-Arlington will be located on Crystal Drive, in the center of Crystal City’s Main Street and surrounded by restaurants, shops and scores of creative organizations. We anticipate opening by the end of March 2014! To celebrate, we are offering Founding Lifetime Member packages to the first 100 DC Metro Area makers who respond to the opportunity to support the new location. TechShop DC-Arlington Founding Member packages include lifetime membership at Individual, Partner and Family levels with full privileges at all TechShop locations nationwide, classes, guest passes, recognition on this web page, and much more!

For more information on packages and details of this offer, please visit TechShop DC-Arlington Founders Lifetime Memberships. The offer for Founding Member packages ends December 31, 2013.

The new location is made possible by a continued partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation (VACI) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

TechShop is a community-based workshop and prototyping studio on a mission to democratize access to the tools of innovation. This brand new TechShop location will be packed with cutting-edge tools, equipment, and computers loaded with design software featuring the Autodesk Design Suite. Most importantly, TechShop offers the space to make, and the support and camaraderie of a community of makers.”

[PotomacCyclist]

This is a list of the typical line-up of equipment available at their facilities, but not every item will be available at every location.

http://www.techshop.ws/tools_and_equipment.html

The categories include fabrics, electronics, plastics, machining, metalworking, woodworking, powder coating and this:

“Prototyping
3D FDM printer, ABS
Laser cutter, 60 Watt
3D scanner (NextEngine)”

Since the extent of my machining knowledge comes from watching “American Chopper” and “Mythbusters” (and “Face Off” for plastics and arts work), I’ll let others decide whether this is an awesome list or not. I have no idea.

However, I did do some minor guitar modifications back in school, and I assembled a computer a decade ago. (Admittedly, that wasn’t too difficult back then, before all of the computer parts began to be more closely integrated and laptops became more popular.)

[Author]

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