http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/ Engadget Comments for Desktop Factory to offer up $5,000 3D printer http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
Problem one: Materials -- no way in hell can you match the properties of materials from thermoset, thermoplastic, composite, non-ferrous and ferrous metals.

Problem two: As previously noted CNC desktop mills are cheaper and can machine the aforementioned materials.

Problem three: Software -- how many people know had to use decently or will be capable of learning mid-stream to high end CAD packages? Low end CAD gives you low end results ie think at least Solidworks, Solidedge, Pro-E up to Catia.

Product objective: 3D printers have their niche and their uses and I'm glad to see the price come down -- hell if it drops to $4,000 I'd could get one for work easy because it does but CNC is several niche applications -- but no way in hell is it going to be used as a "replicator" in anybody's lifetime.]]>Feb 5th 2008 9:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
Will it work with Vista?]]>Feb 7th 2008 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
Making your own home toothbrush is as easy as making it in a CAD program like SolidWorks (which is very easy, actually) and hitting "Print".

I use the class's 3D printer for printing special parts I don't have when I'm putting a robot together, or parts that aren't in any stores and haven't even been made. Think about how often this happened when you were building Legos or even putting a model together, when you thought "God, if only I had a part like so-and-so!". A 3D printer fills that gap very nicely.]]>Apr 21st 2008 6:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/Aug 24th 2008 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/]]>Oct 2nd 2008 9:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
Zbrush is an amazing 3D digital sculpting app and a 3D printer is perfect for it. ($300 edu license)
Modo is another super quick intuitive 3D in a more traditional sense. ($100 edu license)

Neither of these take more than a month or so to learn how to use.

You're a mechanical engineer, that's a whole different ball game from a 3D designer.
3D Design is not difficult at all.

Anyway, if you really get paid $65,000 for 3D design, please tell me where you work, I'll be submitting my app.]]>Jan 12th 2009 6:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/Dec 4th 2008 2:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
http://twistedfuture.com/2007/05/07/3d-printing/]]>May 8th 2007 2:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 9:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/Aug 20th 2008 8:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
I could see using this to build models for showing off ideas to buyers/managers/etc.]]>May 8th 2007 5:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/Mar 9th 2008 8:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 2:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 9th 2007 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 3:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
...A witch!]]>May 8th 2007 3:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
for real

i like this though, but i just wanted to say that muli-color rapid prototypers do exist now]]>May 9th 2007 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 3:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 4:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 3:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/@Iscariote

Wow.. what vision you have. Such a dreamer, I can hardly contain my pee.]]>May 9th 2007 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
More importantly, due to things like economies of scale home 3d printing will always be expensive compared to mass production.

But sure, I lack vision.]]>May 8th 2007 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 4:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
]]>Jul 12th 2008 11:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
More importantly, due to things like economies of scale home 3d printing will always be expensive compared to mass production.

But sure, I lack vision."

As I was reading in the paper (the Guardian, from the UK) this was described as the device that could 'bring down global capitalism' and its kind of true. After all, people pirate games, music and movies, why not designs for products?

This won't create a replicator 'Star Trek' future, but nonetheless one of the more advanced (non-consumer) machines has produced several of its own parts, which shows the potential of the technology. If the replicators can replicate replicators, and the replicators make most of the everyday stuff you need, as well as some of the stuff you don't, why should you buy anything? And apparently the technology is estimated to be analogous to computer technology 30 years ago, so 30 years down the line, the world may be very very different... If they manage to suppress this technology it won't, but I think it may already be too late for that.]]>May 8th 2007 6:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
"As I was reading in the paper (the Guardian, from the UK) this was described as the device that could 'bring down global capitalism' and its kind of true."

"If the replicators can replicate replicators, and the replicators make most of the everyday stuff you need, as well as some of the stuff you don't, why should you buy anything?"

You do realize that this isn't magic. You still have to buy the materials to make the items. Capitalism, as we know it, will not change. People will still have to work. This isn't a fantasy land; it's only a more convenient (and therefore likely more expensive) way to obtain products. End of story.

And as for the 'economies of scale' bit I read earlier: no.

So bob makes rubber. He sells the rubberto Sally (for a profit, but cheap because Sally bought a lot) to make rubber ducks. Sally sells the rubber ducks to a retail store (for a profit, but cheap because the retail store bought a lot) to sell to you. The retail marks up the price, and you buy the rubber duck.

-or-

So Bob makes rubber. He sells the rubber to you, but for a little higher price than he sells to Sally, because you only bought a little bit. You make a rubber duck.

-therefore-

Sally was able to make 100 ducks in one hour for $0.10 a piece, which she sold to a retailer for $0.13 a piece, which the retailer sold to you for $0.25 a piece. It took you an hour to make a single duck, but the rubber only cost you $0.15 and there were no markups. And while it took you 100 times longer to make a duck, you only need one, so that's okay.

You both lose, please play again (and put something above your neck next time)]]>May 8th 2007 7:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 7:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
also... think about things a little bit more people... you can "print" the IMAGE (albeit 3D) of say... a FACE... doesn't mean it can speak...
a GUN... doesn't mean it can shoot a bullet...
a HOTDOG... doesn't mean you can eat it...

HOWEVER....

a COIN... you may be able to spend it

so yeah... coinage? might just go away for ever like in some parts of Asia... not that paper money holds value, just kinda hard to "replicate"

this is just a very convenient way for all you inventors to prototype "SMALL" objects more easily to save time making prototypes. it could come in very handy for soft prototypes to build a casting too. if you go to www.bidz.com you can find a great deal on cast "knock-off" jewelry that could easily be done with this method.

in short...

the PRC is LOVING what they can do with THIS technology.]]>Jul 12th 2008 11:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/the main question is will it cost $10 to make your own toothbrush?
]]>May 8th 2007 7:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 7:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.pixologic.com .. ZBrush creates models at the billion plus polygon count. check out gallery. 3dprinting is the complement to this software technology.

regards,
William
]]>Oct 2nd 2008 9:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
You still need to be a good 3D designer, or you just end up buying other people's designs (part of the stated business model in the article)

While I like the idea of a home 3D printer, the resolution they get (.01") is terrible. For art you really want .003-.001" if not finer...

I mean it's cool and all, just that the tech is not there yet. The better 3D printers are still way too expensive. We want to do the sort of stuff Bathsheba Grossman (google her work!) does, but that tech is insanely expensive to own (but not to rent). 3D printers are a stable commercial item now, but the tech keeps changing due to constant and expensive advancement.

The article mentioned the Fab at home project, but not the better and further along Rep-Rap project.

They also used the example of a Star Trek "transporter" when what the author meant was "replicator" ]]>May 8th 2007 7:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 8th 2007 7:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/please?]]>May 8th 2007 8:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
B) I think you guys actually want this: http://reprap.org/bin/view/Main/WebHome. It's actually designed to be self-replicating and can be assembled for less than $300 from 100% off-the-shelf parts.

C) The several previous commenters who brought up what to do with it... you've hit the nail on the head. These things print out 3D objects in plastic or some amalgam thereof and it's not durable enough to use in any sort of significant load situation. The idea, as I understand it, is generally to make parts to *gently* test fit/interaction, and maybe use them to make a mold and cast something a bit sturdier. I have absolutely no idea what Joe Sixpack would do with this thing.]]>May 8th 2007 8:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
This would be WAY easier is if I needed to do some finish work. Although Nick is right, the scale sucks.]]>May 9th 2007 1:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/May 9th 2007 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/
Best Regards
Chris
www.e3rp.com
ideas@e3rp.com ]]>May 21st 2007 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/What happens when the OEM bad boys catch on to this new idea? Imagine a surcharge on the raw materials. It won't matter that you can't make a new engine in your home. Someone will get pissy over the fact that you CAN make a new fender for $40 instead of $300.
"What do you mean I have to pay $20 extra for this sack of powdered plastic?"]]>Sep 14th 2007 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/like little plastic door on the doll house that playmoblie wont sell or make anymore. now i think this makes the perfct ability to creat things that you have always wanted but never found in stores,
or make a tool that only you would need for somthing.
thats why i want one]]>Sep 16th 2007 1:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/desktop-factory-to-sell-5k-3d-printer/]]>Jan 8th 2008 1:01PM