3D Printing Awareness

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 07:30:00 +0800

3D Printing Awareness

3DCreations — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:29:14 +0800

Hi guys! Just want to know if you guys know about 3D printing? I am hoping to spread some awareness of the existence of such technology among Malaysians (or even non-Malaysians frequenting this site) even though it has been around for a 2 years-ish commercially and about 10 plus years already in the industrial sector.

Too many applications for it to count, but I guess what would work for hobbyists out there would be dioramas and terrain. Or replacing broken parts (if it is not easy to source or the company that owns the copyright does not have spare parts). Printing the entire model is considered infringement of copyright and is ILLEGAL. I intend to put up a post after the results are out on what can 3D printing do for you, dos and don'ts about 3D printing, what to expect and generally some information to avoid getting scammed.

I will close the poll by the end of the week (midnight 3rd April).

Thanks in advance guys!

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3DCreations — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 02:15:46 +0800

Hey guys, not sure if I should PM a mod or just straight up ask the forumers around.

So far I have looked around the helpdesk, etc, on advertising of services related to a certain subforum/interest but nothing came up. For example, advertising that you do servicing of audio devices in the entertainment section, or advertising that you are a seamstress in the fashion department. All the posts I see is actual selling of physical products.

If I want to go about advertising that I have services to provide, where can I post and are there specific rules for services posts which is different from the normal WTS/WTB posts?

If the mods want to know exactly where I will post to, you may want to read the services information that I have posted in the services forum to get an idea of the services I provide. Link in my signature.

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3DCreations — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 01:49:08 +0800

What is 3D Printing?
3D printing is as the name says, printing out a 3D model. It is also commonly known as rapid prototyping in the industries that have been using this technology.

Is this new?
Nope. 3D printing has been around for 10 plus years already, maybe more. However, it was previously only been used in the industrial sectors as the machines were expensive. But as all technologies go (and those who 'play computer' will know well), things get cheaper as it goes mass market or once people get to a point where they can commercialise the technology.

What can be printed?
Almost anything can be printed as long as the model file exists or can be created. The word almost is used because there are limitations in terms of size and we are not talking about how large it can go, but how small it can go while keeping the same amount of details.

What are the materials used?
Primarily plastics as it is the easiest and the cheapest material around to 3D print with. Currently commercial printers have access to plastics (PLA, ABS, PU, PC), wood, flex (which is similar to rubber), PETG (which is certified food safe), ferromagnetic (yes, you can stick magnets onto it) and carbon graphite. Despite the names, they are not purely made of that material. For example, wood does not become liquid, hence cannot technically be printed. Wood grain, however, is poured into a plastic material and then that mixture is made into filaments which forms the 'ink' of the printer. You DO get a woody burning smell when the print is being done though.

What is usually made using 3D printing? or How can I help YOU?
Applications for 3D printing is really vast. Sometimes I wonder what it CAN'T print. Other than biological, living stuff now, but even then I am not sure...

If you are in the MEDICAL field:
Prosthetic is the main use (think bionic hands/legs for the disabled). Dentists use it to fabricate the mouth area to better understand issues in a patient. Teaching aid for students as it can print out special conditions like situs inversus totalis (layman term: complete reversal of organs - organ songsang).

If you are in the ENGINEERING field:
Prototyping of parts for fit, for aesthetics (looks nice or not), for practicability, etc. Sometimes used to print out parts to replace a worn or broken section instead of needing to buy a spare from the manufacturer. Of course, use at own risk! Robotics! You got an idea, you can code, you got the Adruino set for it, but you ain't got the hardware.

If you are in the ARCHITECTURE field:
Again, prototyping for design. Showcase projects, past and present. LAST MINUTE END OF YEAR PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS. Got drawings, got design, no time to cut and stick the cardboard, resulting in at least a 72 hour marathon of getting it done for submission. Then finding out you screwed up a section so you would have to wing it on your presentation.

If you are a HOBBYIST:
Holy crap. The applications for this is even bigger. And infinitely more fun.
Dioramas for your favourite models. Have the entire Avengers team? RECREATE CIVIL WAR. DO IT. Drone racing? Yeah, no worries now on crashing your drone. You don't need to buy an entire damn drone again, just reprint the broken part. Cosplay? 1:1 scale model of keyblade. Ironman suit (YES MARK 1 IS FULLY PRINTABLE WITH FILES ON THE INTERNET). Want to go as a Sith lord but want to create your OWN? Customised lightsaber. Get more horns than Darth Maul.

If you are a GAMER:
PC Gaming? Not gonna step here lest I get punched in the face by those desktop modders. Buuuut if you have an idea...
Tabletop gaming and TCG players - lost tokens, additional terrain, deck holders, token holders, personalised stuff just in case it gets stolen during a competition, etc. Although I stopped playing MTG a long time ago, I once had a sliver deck. Zerg build. Customised counters would have been handy then instead of the coloured pebbles I was forced to use.

If you are NONE OF THE ABOVE:
Yes, there is STILL something for you. Customised bookmarks, customised phone case, customised makeup box, etc. Make a special gift for your loved one, one of a kind. I promise not to print another if the design is owned by you.

So, what CAN'T you do?
Straight up, guns. No, please don't ask. You can go to jail, I can go to jail, and our families will be sad. Sorry, no exceptions.
Keys. Security reasons, and basically I don't know if you are the actual owner. Locksmiths have their licenses and are backed by corresponding laws. I am not.
Weapons, but this is a grey area. Cosplay is fine. Teaching aid or display is fine, but I need a written disclaimer. Sorry, gotta protect my a$$! Points and edges will be blunt.
Basically stuff that can be used for questionable reasons (for example I WILL NOT PRINT OUT THE IMMIGRATION STAMP), I can and will reject. If you have an idea or a model which you want to print but is unsure of, we can discuss. I can let you know straight up if it lands in OK, grey area, or NO GO.

I am NOT selling printers. I am selling PRINTING SERVICES.

Last but not least, why manufacture stuff then, if 3D printing is so great?
UNFORTUNATELY, at the time of writing this post, cost wise it is still more effective to produce things via injection molding for large quantities. The power of 3D printing comes in the form of CUSTOMISATION and PROTOTYPING. If you have a generic English name like Daniel, Elizabeth, or Nicholas, I would strongly advise you to get your name tags off the shelf. Much cheaper. But IF you call yourself ELYSABIRTH or DUNHILL or NIKKOLAS, then maybe you would rather I print your name instead. You don't like it when people end up misspelling your name, right? Non-English names are, for obvious reasons, the primary customers for name tags. VICKNISVARAN A/L GUNASEGARAN or CHIN CHEE KHENG(no, I don't know anyone with those names), but you guys get the idea.

If you end up breaking that leg in that old Gundam toy you kept for so long as a kid, I may be able to rescue it by 3D printing the leg out as a replacement. If you can't find that particular piece to complete your scale model of your neighbourhood, look me up.

If you can't afford an original, copyrighted toy, tough luck, save up.

So, for any enquiries, drop me a PM or you can contact me through the details on my signature. Different colours available!

TIRED OF READING HERE ARE SOME PICTURES.

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**@Mods: First time posting here, so if I make a mistake, please let me know**

Edited: Fixed a syntax error

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