Anyone here into designing and utilizing 3D designs and 3D printers?

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   Kyler J Falkposted 5 years ago

   Due to the cost inefficiency of store-buying miniature figures, I was wondering if anyone here had any insights on the cost of 3D printing my own? I would think that if I took the necessary courses and purchased my own small printer then I would be saving a lot of money in the long-run, but wanted to hear from an actual 3D printer owner.

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      CHRIS57posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      The issue with 3D printing is the same as with 2D printers 40 years ago. No standards, no drivers, no operating system automatically taking care, too much setup necessary. 
      
      I used to have a fairly cheap 3D printer. Gave it away, never used it.
      
      I remember many years ago an electronic outlet chain had a 3D printing service with full scale 3D volume scanner. Had my granddaughters scanned. After a week we received the small figures. Was a little gadget, no more.
      Within half a year this service disappeared. Was no business case.
      
      Also some 5 years ago 3D print shops popped up all over the place. Were active 2 or 3 years. No hype anymore, shops are closed.
      
      Conclusion: It is a little tricky with 3D printing. Don´t know how many figures you want to create, but for 3-5 per month i wouldn´t bother about DIY.

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         Kyler J Falkposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         With the price of minis going up to anywhere as high as 140+ per mini for things like "Warhammer" I was thinking it would be so much more cost effective to just DIY.
         
         Are you still keeping up with the tech and software for 3D printing? There are courses, software, and machines to invest in for around the price of 350 altogether. I was thinking I'd recoup my losses on that investment pretty quick, especially if I got two machines and was hammering out multiple minis per day (7-10/day).

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            CHRIS57posted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I had a look at 3D printing from the professional point of view. There it is called additive manufacturing. While i was CTO of a high tech production automation company, i had to make the decision about going into 3D printing business and developing equipment. Decision was negative. For professionals too much of a niche business.
            Years later i  had to consult a Chinese 3D metal printing company on how to expand business. They had the idea to make even bigger equipment than already in their portfolio. I strongly objected. 3D printing of any kind is only for small subjects.
            There is one exception: 3D sand/plastic composites layup. Is used to make molds for the casting industry. Interesting: James Bond movie "Skyfall": The Aston Martin and the helicopter in the final Scotland take were 1/2 scale build of 3D sand/plastics.
            In industry a full 3D-design to 3D printing supply chain is established. But again, makes economically only sense for small parts or for remote applications (a cruise ship or a freighter have 3D-printers on board to make spare parts on site).
            For private use this is very much to enthusiasts. To be honest, i can´t really help you.

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               Kyler J Falkposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Of course you could help me, and have helped me just with your input to the conversation. You have hands on experience with professional application of analysis of the 3D printing industry. From a cost and time perspective, if I was printing in the thousands then I'd be better off going with a production company. If I'm printing for personal reasons, then it is really all up to me to do it.
               
               You said something about a volume scanner; so you have experience with volume scanners? How accurate would you say they are in recreating original pieces? Does the scan need tweaking or does the scan come out ready to print?
               
               I know I could find all this on my own, but I so much prefer personal conversation to callous articles.

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