3D PrintingArianna Schlegel & Edward IglesiasThe Technologies of MakerspacesNERCOMPOctober 21, 2013

The History● prehistory: paper (2D) printing (Gutenberg press to computer inkjet)● 1980s:

○ Charles Hull invents stereolithography & founds 3D Systems (1983)○ S. Scott Crump & FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

● 1993: MIT patents “3 Dimensional Printing Techniques”● 1996: The term “3D printer” changes meaning from rapid prototyping

machine to actual 3D printer ● 2005: Z Corp’s Spectrum Z510 - the first HD 3D color

printer on the market● 2006-08: RepRap’s open source project

(manufactures ~50% of its own parts)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapid_prototyping

History Infographicby T. Rowe Price

see: http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/6262/Infographic-The-History-of-3D-Printing.aspx

A Short & Fun History Video

The Big Players(The ones you’ll want to consider asfirst choices for your own makerspace.)

● MakerBot Replicator 2 or 2X● PrintrBot Simple● RepRap● EventorBot● Cubify Cube or CubeX● The Fablicator● Formlabs Form1● New Valance Robotics

MakerBot Replicator 2 ($2199)http://store.makerbot.com/replicator2.html

Pros: full-featured personal 3D printer

Cons: learning curve

PrintrBot Simple ($299)http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-simple/

Pros: price

Cons: not so pretty

RepRap ($520 unassembled)http://www.reprappro.com/Pros: open source, and makes (some of)itself!

Cons: again, very bare-bones

Eventorbot ($799 assembled; $300-500 DIY)http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-simple/Pros: “The Mission and challenge behind Eventorbot, was tobuild a rigid, low cost 3D printer. Using less parts, easy to assemble, and is capable to self replicate most of its parts. It is 100% open source project, and all plans are available for anyone interested. 80% of the Eventorbots parts are printable. With the single solid steel frame, it eliminates 40% ofparts and cost that other 3D printers uses for a housing and structure. Making it easier and moreaffordable for anyone to own a 3D Printer.”

Cons: distinctions from RepRap?

Cubify Cube ($1299)http://cubify.com/cube/Pros: sleek, simplistic (plug & play), available at Staples, wifi-enabled, fully assembledCons: limited capacity, size(5.5 cubic inches), poor software

Fablicator ($3495)http://www.fablicator.com/

Pros: has its own Windows computer

Cons: ???

Formlabs Form1 ($3299)http://formlabs.com/Pros: out-of-the-box; usesstereolithography (SL) instead of plasticextrusion (FLM)

Cons: not yet released

New Valence Robotics ($--)http://www.nvbots.com/All they have right now is a websitewhere you can sign up for their mailing list:

Geared towards high schools!(Features remote printer monitoring.)

3D Printers to Watch

@ MAKE.com:http://makezine.com/magazine/make-ultimate-guide-to-3d-printing/3d-printers-to-watch/

What to Look For

● printing features● printer design● included components● connectivity● help & support(from http://3d-printers.toptenreviews.com/)

Always consider your users’ needs!

ComparisonsPrinter Plastic Printable Size Res* Cost

EventorBot ABS/PLA 8.0” x 10.0” x 6.0” 50m $799

Cubify Cube ABS, PLA, or Tough Recyclable or Compostable Plastic

5.5” x 5.5” x 5.5” 200m $1299

The Fablicator ABS, PLA, HIPS, PVA, Nylon

7.0” x 7.0” x 7.0” 100m $3495

Formlabs Form1 resin 4.9” x 4.9” x 6.5” 25m $3299

MakerBot Replicator 2 MakerBotPLA

11.2” L x 6.0” W x 6.1” H 20m $2199

New Valence Robotics ?? ?? ?? ??

PrintrBot Simple PLA 4.0” x 4.0” x 4.0” 100m $299

RepRap PLA, HDPE, ABS & more

8.0” W x 8.0” D x 5.5” H ~200m $520* m = microns

Price Compare List Online

http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/

The Future: 3D Writing

The Future: CandyFabLayers sugar by using hot air.

http://www.candyfab.org/

The Future: GE Making History(2016)

Use of additive manufacturing on a large scale.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/08/22/general-electric-set-to-make-history-with-3-d-prin.aspx

The Future: Bioprinting

Resources

● http://www.engineering.com/3DPrinting/3DPrintingArticles/ArticleID/6262/Infographic-The-History-of-3D-Printing.aspx

● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

● http://www.3ders.org/3d-printing/3d-printing-history.html

● http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/

Let’s Not Go There...

(Stop @ 1:20 to avoid adult language & content.)