Printing a 3D printer?

muddyl

Ok, at work I have just found out that we are going to be getting a 3D printer. These are obviously quite expensive, even for small ones. Though prices are coming down rapidly.


Now then. I know you can get files to print replacement printer parts. But can you get the files to print a complete printer (minus the electronics, metal components etc of course)?


This could be a great way for me to build my own cheaply, in the Moneysaving manner.


Do any of you techie people know if this is possible or even where I may find such files? Searching has found parts, but not a complete list.


Cheers, Muddy

tonyh66

how would work feel about taking hours of printer time and all their plastic on your personal project?
All the expense is with the electronics/motors and metal parts.

enfield_freddy

can you make me a side panel for a 1979 Suzuki TS185 , I will pay for the plastic

glentoran99

muddyl wrote: »

Ok, at work I have just found out that we are going to be getting a 3D printer. These are obviously quite expensive, even for small ones. Though prices are coming down rapidly.


Now then. I know you can get files to print replacement printer parts. But can you get the files to print a complete printer (minus the electronics, metal components etc of course)?


This could be a great way for me to build my own cheaply, in the Moneysaving manner.


Do any of you techie people know if this is possible or even where I may find such files? Searching has found parts, but not a complete list.


Cheers, Muddy

yes you can


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCIQFjAAahUKEwik6ISfmNvHAhWicdsKHdtLAOI&url=http%3A%2F%2Freprap.org%2F&usg=AFQjCNETAej91uN1ni_22JlR47DlvgZAyg

muddyl

tonyh66 wrote: »

how would work feel about taking hours of printer time and all their plastic on your personal project?
All the expense is with the electronics/motors and metal parts.

Actually, I don't think they would mind providing I didn't go over the top. I work within education, so this will be a training tool. The machine won't be doing many hours per week as standard, so a lot of down time.

glentoran99 wrote: »

yes you can


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCIQFjAAahUKEwik6ISfmNvHAhWicdsKHdtLAOI&url=http%3A%2F%2Freprap.org%2F&usg=AFQjCNETAej91uN1ni_22JlR47DlvgZAyg

Thanks for that.

mr_fishbulb

If you use the 3D printer to print another 3D printer, can you return the original printer and get a refund?

AndyPix

The real problems arise when they start printing themselves :0

tonyh66

or someone sends 9999 copies of the same file to the printer queue.

John_Gray

Surely it would be considerably more cost effective, not to print the printer (since they are "nearly free"), but some ink cartridges, which, volume for volume, are considerably more expensive?

Fightsback

A printer to print a printer.

Reminds me of a satirical Sci-Fi novel I read years ago called The Reproductive System (1968) by John Sladek where machines could self replicate.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1260524.The_Reproductive_System#

forgotmyname

I have a 3D printer and some of the first items I printed were to upgrade the machine to make it even better.

Some of the parts you can print will be time consuming and may require more fettling to make them perfect where making them from another material in the first place maybe cheaper and faster.

The parts you can print are cheap anyway. Its the guides, motors and bearings and circuitry that costs the money.

I did consider building my own but all the electrical and mechanical bits would have cost close to what my full machine did.

The only difference is that I could have made it much bigger for the same money.

There have been so many uses for it, One gadget that you may find very useful if your into hobbies and DIY.