3D Printing: And its use in RC Modeling Dan Frey 17 NOV 2015

3D Printing Makes part from CAD files (STL format) Builds layer by layer ~ 0.010” thick (or thinner) Thermoplastic materials (ABS, PLA, Nylon) mostly Machines now as low as $175, many ~$500, can be >$30K Or outsource your parts

3D Printing Technologies Stereolithography ZPrinting (liquid binding of powder) Selective laser sintering Mask image projection Fused deposition modeling (extrusion deposition)

Dimension uPrint Fused deposition ABS thermoplastic Support material dissolves in solution of NaOH and detergent Good for large overhangs and possibly for assemblies with relative motion among parts Build volume 8 x 6 x 6 in ~$30K

MakerBot Fused deposition ABS or PLA Some have thermally controlled environment Heated bed Build volume 10x10x12cm $1400 (mini) up to $6500

Fabrikator Mini Fused deposition ABS or PLA No thermally controlled environment No heated bed (masking tape used as bed surface) Build volume 8 x 8 x 8 cm ~$180 (plus shipping)

PLA Plastic ~$30/kg

Form 2 SLA technology (liquid selectively polymerized by laser) ” layers Object pulled from above 14.5 × 14.5 × 17.5 cm build vol. Waxy support material removed using high pressure water spray ~$3500

Objet Connex Mask image projection (sprays 8*10^6 dropslets/sec) ” layers 19x15x8” build vol. Waxy support material removed using high pressure water spray “Digital Materials let you incorporate a range of hardnesses, opacities, shades or thermal properties into a single model…”

eos Formiga Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 0.06mm layers No support material needed (unbound powder inherently supports the part) Machine ~$1M

Outsourcing (rather than owning a 3D printer) e.g. shapeways.com Has SLS nylon parts (“strong and flexible plastic”)

Materials Wood Alum 3D print

Mark One Composite 3D Printer Fused deposition Carbon fiber, fiberglass, nylon Machine ~$5.5K