3d printing / modelling

[Aido]

Since we are talking about motorcycles again...
3d modelling / printing arrived on the planet a few years ago and as with all technology it is now within reach of the everyday prole.
So has anyone used it yet or had visions of possibilities?
I think I saw someone knock up a set of rearsets not so long ago.
I can see advantages for pattern making or fibreglass moulds as a usable product.

For those that haven't seen the process

http://youtu.be/WmDz7Q9_h6c

[wackyrider]

That was Trav (Xamont) as I believe his brother may have a 3D printer.

In other news, you could have answered your PM's regarding the frame

[Aido]

?

[xa-mont]

yeah my brother has a 3d printer. doesn't really do fantastic "resolution" though and only prints 100^3

[Redmohawk]

I've looked into a 3d printer pritty intensly over the last few months , I started stripping a old parrallel port pen plotter to make a printer capable of up to A0 size prints. Currently there are a few off the shelf kits hovering around the $1000 dollar mark but as Travis said they're resolution is alot to be desired.

They can be improved considerably but I figured why re build something (and junk more than half the hardware) instead I'm just using the electronics of a kit unit with freewear and building my printer from scratch. I'll be using a mix of the shelf printer components and hardwear stripped from industrial plotters. Should cost about $900 and print in plastic.

Some lite reading for you if you'd like to roll your own with lots of instruction and off the shelf parts. http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page ebay have a listing for an Aus based seller of something similar to.

[latheboy]

If you have the cash, you can get parts printed in Ally or SS of brass.

Some great things can be made with a 3D printer.
http://www.futuristspeaker.com/wp-content/uploads/3D-printed-fabric-N12-694.jpg

[Redmohawk]

hmmm Not something I would have thought of printing but very nice

[fimpBIKES]

very cool and getting cheaper all the time

a mates mate owns one, not big enough to do anything like bike bodywork unfortunately