3D printers

dar · May 09, 2007, 10:20:02 PM

Does anyone here have access to one of these color 3d printers? Or anything like it? Would it be suitable for printing miniatures, landscapes and or other game pieces? Would you be allowed to do it? What are the costs like? Does anybody know if there is anyone out there willing to print off miniatures on commission?

Lawbag · May 10, 2007, 04:25:27 AM

Nice idea, but ridiculously expensive, maybe that will change in 5 years time.

I remember when CD-RW first came out, they were around the £ 1,000, and now they are selling for pennies.

kryyst · May 10, 2007, 07:46:31 AM

I love the fact that $40,000 is considered affordable.

Bagpuss · May 10, 2007, 07:55:22 AM

Doesn't look like it has the resolution to be suitable for miniatures. Scenery on the other hand it might work for, I wonder what the running costs are for one.

Zachary The First · May 10, 2007, 08:21:31 AM

Quote from: BagpussDoesn't look like it has the resolution to be suitable for miniatures. Scenery on the other hand it might work for, I wonder what the running costs are for one.

According to that company, "affordable", but they also think $40k for a printer is "affordable".

If I had one, though, I would be cranking out the scenery & terrain like there was no tomorrow.

JamesV · May 10, 2007, 08:35:24 AM

Quote from: kryystI love the fact that $40,000 is considered affordable.

So I either could have been an undergrad at uni for 7 years, or have a 3d printer.

You know this is a harder decision than it sounds.

Erik Boielle · May 10, 2007, 08:35:58 AM

Quote from: BagpussDoesn't look like it has the resolution to be suitable for miniatures. Scenery on the other hand it might work for, I wonder what the running costs are for one.

It can be done. Ken Burnside at Ad Astra games makes his minis with Rhino (a 3d package) and a 3d printer - I don't know whose it is though - its certainly not his.

http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rmnsd1zq8.jpg

Although it is worth noting that they just make the 'Greens' (called, in this case 'Silvers' with a printer and then make traditional moulds from it to cast the pieces.

If you are serious, he'll know how to do it, but try not to waste his time.

kryyst · May 10, 2007, 09:34:44 AM

Quote from: JamesVSo I either could have been an undergrad at uni for 7 years, or have a 3d printer.

You know this is a harder decision than it sounds.

I was thinking the same thing myself. Now lets see buy the printer for $40,000 if you could sell your mini's - because they are plastic after all for $2 a piece you'd need to sell 20,000 mini's to break even and that doesn't even include the cost of the print stock. Now you could intern use the printer to make molds and then form lead/pewter mini's out of it but I have no idea on what that would cost you. Definitely not economical unless you are going to be selling in the range of about 50,000 minis' a year I'd say. But it'd be damn cool to have one.

Bagpuss · May 10, 2007, 02:20:50 PM

Quote from: Erik BoielleIt can be done. Ken Burnside at Ad Astra games makes his minis with Rhino (a 3d package) and a 3d printer - I don't know whose it is though - its certainly not his.

http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rmnsd1zq8.jpg

Not exactly the most detailed miniatures in the world are they though?

Rezendevous · May 10, 2007, 09:57:51 PM

By "affordable," I think they mean for companies of a certain size, or maybe for a school/college. I really don't think these are being marketed towards hobbyists.

Erik Boielle · May 10, 2007, 10:04:28 PM

Quote from: BagpussNot exactly the most detailed miniatures in the world are they though?

Dude!

Lookit all the tiny little guns! We are judging the process here, not the art design.

dar · May 13, 2007, 08:11:11 PM

Quote from: Erik BoielleIt can be done. Ken Burnside at Ad Astra games makes his

Thanks! The printing of molds for lead casting, isn't what I'm looking for, but it is cool to know that these are in use at some level. Those minis are very cool, as is Ad Astra Games.

It does seem like there is a buzz building about these kinds of printers.

Sorry for the thread necromancy, but I've been unable to post for a bit.

David Johansen · May 13, 2007, 10:29:43 PM

The printable 3d will run into problems, ranging from graininess to expensive materials and fragility for the forseeable future. I do think it will come but not for 20 years at least and I doubt the price point will ever be competitive with metal minis.