Bits from Bytes' new 3D printer extrudes with the best of 'em
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted April 13th 2010 3:39PM
posted April 13th 2010 3:39PM
We've seen a number of 3D printers lately, and this time we have a budget model for you (that is, if $3,000 is "budget" -- and we suppose it is, compared to the $20,000 and more some of these bad boys can cost). Bits from Bytes has recently announced the BFB 3000, available with up to three print heads, an SD card reader, a printing area of 320mm x 300mm x 200mm, and a max print speed of 15mm3 per second. Available soon for about £2,000. We suppose you'll be ordering a couple, right? Either way, get a closer look in the gallery below.
[Thanks, TMoney2007]
[Thanks, TMoney2007]
Looks pretty swank. I'd like to see what quality it can print objects with, and what model formats it supports.
@Twisthem488
Indeed, perhaps AutoCAD or Solidworks?
@Midnitte It takes STL files, which any 3d modeling program should be able to output.
@Midnitte AUTOCAD is not a 3D format... No one uses AUTOCAD for serious 3D work.
@Vdek You probably forgot about Engineers and Architects that's pretty much all they use. Then again no one is probably going to print a building or bridge with this thing, but now that I think of it this would probably be great for making scale models.
@baltwade I don't know of any engineers that use AutoCAD for 3D except for architecture/civil engineers.
3D modeling on AutoCAD sucks... I've tried.
@TMoney2007
ProE ftw...
@questionexclamation Anything but AutoCAD 3D ftw...
@baltwade We engineers use Solidworks and/or Pro-E for 3D modeling.
AutoCAD is almost completely relegated to building design.
@baltwade
They may use AutoCAD but not in 3D, bizarre as it seems most plans are done in 2D still and AutoCAD does these horrid projection things.
Actually building in 3D in AutoCAD is a terrible experience.
But that's why Autodesk built 3D Studio which sadly rendered like puke (rendering puke would actually be quite a success ironically)
and so that's why they bought Maya and finally after a few decades of trying got themselves a proper decent 3D application in their portfolio.
Which is personally a dispointment Since they will probably wreck it. But such is the way of consolidation. The grandpapa's Alias and Wavefront, then SGI bought them and Maya was their fused genes.
It's all the stuff of legend... I might stop now as the story gets bigger and longer.
@JasonOT I'm sorry if I was unclean when I said Engineers. Engineer is a very vague and generic term. I know lots of "engineers" that don't have an engineering degree or even a college degree. When I said Engineer I meant Civil and Structural Engineers, hence the reference to buildings and bridges, and not Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, or whatever other kind of "engineer".
I cant wait to print my own Lego's!!
@Mentat That's exactly what I thought when I saw the stuff the 3D printer printed. I was thinking how kids in the future will be printing their own Legos, and I wonder if it will occur to them that it's weird that they aren't printing the completed product.
I want to see one of these in action. No really- I'm interested.
Yeah?
Let's see something printed.
@0android0 A video would be nice...
@iLi3kTuttles I don't think it prints videos.
@0android0 Let's see a video of it printing something*
@0android0
Holy Shit. I actually LOLed.
@0android0, there are VCRs of that size, it could print one...
What exactly does it... do?
Like a relief sculpture, or full on 3d objects? the latter would be amazing...
@iLi3kTuttles Was just kidding...
Yes, it prints full 3D objects - or, at least, that's what they say it does.
A little suspect to advertise a 3D printer without showing anything it's printed. I didn't see it on their website.
@iLi3kTuttles Both. Architecture firms use it to print full 3D buildings, and companies like Reebok use 3D printers to print prototype shoes. You can print virtually anything that you could model by hand.
@iLi3kTuttles
It can print prototypes to check and see if it will work before heading off to the CNC Mill/Lathe/ whatever to be used in day to day life...
@questionexclamation If you're checking a CNC program for a mill/lathe, you're usually better off running something like machinable wax through the actual mill/lathe, rather than using a slow "rapid prototyper" (even the best are generally slower than subtractive prototyping/machining).
Cool, can I make a pirated copy of the 3D printer, on the 3D printer, for a friend?
@(Unverified)
Close.. Google Makerbot.
@(Unverified) Or RepRap.
@(Unverified) Not yet; this one only prints in plastic polymer, but it's made of plastic, metal, wires, semiconductors, and other stuff. Also, the its components probably require more precision than it can offer itself. It'll be interesting when a device can print all those things, and even more interesting when a device can print with living cells (think Fifth Element).
@CityZen
Which is why I said "close".
Nothing can print it's self yet. But with time, who knows.
The Makerbot/RepRap/others do print some parts for new versions of themselves. The newer Mini Mendel prints quite a bit of it's self.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2165
It's designed to be a pretty open design with threaded rods and custom brackets making up much of the mechanism, while the Makerbot is closer to being a wooden version of the printer featured here. I'd love to have either one.
When you think about it. There isn't really that much to one of these. Just a printer with an extra axis, and molten plastic instead of ink. So with time and scale, They could come way way down in price very fast.
Personally.. I'd say give a company like Epson a few years and they could have an off the shelf model ready to go for a domestic user price point.
Add a Linux driver and I'm waiting in line..
parents do
Full Ed objects I saw a show where they use Ed printers to make the Belen parts of electronics like tvs stereos ex. Pretty kool stuff
@cwalters74
BEWARE THE CLAW
As an owner of a 3D printer already, I am always interested in seeing where the market is going.
Unfortunately, there is almost no images of what this can actually do - need more info and images of parts it has actually created.
I thought it was a $3000 CD printer to begin with. Then I read it again.
@Kloc, well, it can print CDs... Not usable ones, but that's a whole other subject...
I can't wait until HP makes one, then the printer will tell YOU when you need to buy more colored string (or whatever it uses) even though you know there is plenty left on the spools.
... especially if you shake them.
It seems to be able to print rolls of wire very accurately.
@Wolfticket I'm guessing those "rolls of wire" are actually kind of like really long colored glue sticks. That is, that's the material that the printer consumes, melts, then extrudes precisely where you want to make the part you want.
Can this print avatar!?
It would be so hot if you could print a SSD.
@Dante of the Inferno
SSD? That's it? That's all you can think of?
@dingus A Super Star Destroyer ain't a bad start.
@Mysterius
That would have to be one tiny Super Star Destroyer. Or you could print it one tiny piece at a time. The fully armed and operational battle station wasn't built in a day.
To the author: 320mm x 300mm x 200mm is the printable volume. The figure you listed is the size of the machine.
@cwalters74 I'd like to see something that it has printed.
Interesting.
Now everyone can make their very own copy of Kelly LeBrock!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090305/
@killplay
Follow the cruchgear link there is a photo of a Walt Disney head it printed.
This is one of those things where if you don't post a video, you do the entire thing a disservice.