Cheap rapid prototyping machine

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:04 pm

For $2400 you can build yourself a machine about the size of a microwave oven that you can use to make 3d objects and parts. It's basically a CNC router but with a squirt bottle of a hardening liquid.

News link here

Time-lapse video of it in action

Post by **gannon** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:57 pm

Looks good for rapid prototyping, at least for 3D models. Not sure how well the hardening liquid would hold up for actual use.

G-force · Post by **G-force** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:30 am

Assuming it's the same stuff used to make this (the case was rapid prototyped) it would hold up fine I'd think.

Thats a brilliant idea though, making one for amateurs to buy. I can see model car/plane people really digging this. I went to a trade show several times (IMTS), where they had about 15-20 rapid protoyping machines. One of the examples they had was an Xbox controller they had made from scratch. I almost cried at the possibilities that were right in front of me, that I could never use. This opens up a possibility!

is it just me, or does it look rather cheaply built, and almost toy-like? I could see that plastic wearing out, or breaking.

rusko · Post by **rusko** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:46 am

I was looking a wiki and you need to have a good soldering skill to make it
one thing i want is for them to make a kit with all the parts and a good manual how to put it together

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:09 am

to bad it costs so much

pretty cool though.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:11 am

Well its not as big but at least it's cheaper then the other prototype machine. One I'm talking about is the kind that cuts several hundred plus sheets of paper with a laser.

I have to ask though what would any of you use the machine for? Is it even big enough to make cases with?