3d printed aquarium parts?

[Mike N]

No way they are cheap here. I was saying we need it so I can 3D print a holding fixture to simulate part assembly as I check the surface profile of the part. It would be for plastic car parts. Some times plastic warps itself when it is unassembled (big example is any kind of arched part like a fender garnish, the plastic piece that follows the curve of the body above the wheels). Assembling warps it. So after assembly you get more realistic results of real world shape as it's in a vehicle, such as the outside of a car above the tire.

Thats quite a good argument to purchase one. What price range were you looking at? The one we have is by no means industrial grade, its max build size is 8" x 8" x 12". It only cost about $500.

 

[Frop]

Thats quite a good argument to purchase one. What price range were you looking at? The one we have is by no means industrial grade, its max build size is 8" x 8" x 12". It only cost about $500.

I don't know but preferably accurate to .005" (or less) so it would probably be expensive lol realistically I need smaller than that but I'm willing to use sandpaper to fine tune the surface.

It's that or they spend like $20,000 (estimate, not sure real price) on an all aluminum CNC machined fixture which they use on assembly. But in the mean time you can prototype it by printing. Also why not prototype full parts? And usually I don't have the fixture when I do my initial inspection. The FAI (first full inspection basically) determines part shape which influences revisions and in the end modifications to the fixture. However... the fixture will help for more accurate numbers to determine if some of that stuff is actually needed. If not we measure ship to the customer then they try it and say what is happening. But it's best when results match.. Fixtures don't also garanty 100% simulation either. I just measured a part that is in tolerance but it's breaking. In 30minutes we will discuss it on a conference call. The measurements are accurate and in tolerance. It's a design issue from the customer end now. So they will probably modify the part for strength.

 

[Mike N]

.005" = 127 microns.
Our 3d printer is accurate to 100 microns. So it wouldn't be that expensive really. It may be time to reopen the 3d printer negotiations lol

On a side note: CNC machines make me drool. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had access to one.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Hmm... Wonder if it would be cheaper to 3D print a jason fox homewrecker frag.

 

[Rick.45cal]

It's a world changing technology. I want one... I won't lie LOL

 

[Ldogg]

they are 3D printing houses now, and we will be 3d printing parts on future space missions. I have one and they are super useful. if you look on Thingiverse.com you can't find thousands of items already designed. you just download the stl files, open the slicer application on your pc or mac and print. My kids use them at school as well.

 

[Ldogg]

Here are some examples.

 

[Frop]

.005" = 127 microns.
Our 3d printer is accurate to 100 microns. So it wouldn't be that expensive really. It may be time to reopen the 3d printer negotiations lol

On a side note: CNC machines make me drool. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had access to one.

Ya it's funny working with car companies everything is metric. Then I talk to the guys that make the parts and everything is in inches. Made in America

but idk what the cost of material is on CNC stuff is. I know 20k-100k in material blocks they bring here for making molds.

Plus the risk of crashing the machine. I went to visit my brother and they were making some random parts to .0002" at his shop. His probe on his CNC can check to .0001" (2.54 microns). I know he has made medical parts to a couple tenths.

I'd say what we make stuff to but I can't due to policy with customers. Manufacturing..

 

[Frop]

.005" = 127 microns.
Our 3d printer is accurate to 100 microns. So it wouldn't be that expensive really. It may be time to reopen the 3d printer negotiations lol

On a side note: CNC machines make me drool. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I had access to one.

If you wanted some one off stuff my brother can probably quote you and machine stuff. He is a smaller business so I know some bigger business don't entertain one off items. He is very very good at what he does and literally has better stuff than my work here (since he cares more about being the best over being cheap). They have to be cheap at my work because they fail and failure cost money. And they fail because they're cheap. And they're cheap because they fail. Even Henry Ford realized he'd make more money when he paid more, and he did, and it worked.

 

[revhtree]

Posted this on FB and people were outraged about the plastic in the ocean....

 

[reeferfoxx]

Posted this on FB and people were outraged about the plastic in the ocean....

Not to sound insulting but the simpletons become outraged over everything. Surprised a petition to remove frag racks from from tanks wasn't started.

 

[Frop]

Posted this on FB and people were outraged about the plastic in the ocean....

Plastic in the pump, powerhead, skimmer, water bucket, supplement bottle, overflow, RO/DI, PVC is plastic. Acrylic is plastic too right? Strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.

 

[Ldogg]

the material I print with is PolyLactic Acid, which is made from cornstarch or sugarcane. I am sure it would break down over time but ABS might be a better option. There are several frag racks on thingiverse right now.


here is an apex display bracket
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1695877

and a probe holder
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2220361

 

[Eric LeClair]

Wow! I'm overwhelmed. Thanks for the awesome info guys. Looks like this is something I'll be further exploring for sure.

 

[Cherub]

the material I print with is PolyLactic Acid, which is made from cornstarch or sugarcane. I am sure it would break down over time but ABS might be a better option. There are several frag racks on thingiverse right now.


here is an apex display bracket
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1695877

and a probe holder
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2220361

That probe holder is sweet! I will print one tonight

 

[Gargamell]

This guy has some good stuff and quick shipping.

http://printedreefingsolutions.com/products

This is a guy from my local club, his stuff is really nice and he is a really nice guy

 

[cracker]

3D printing is pretty cool. Lot's of possibilities ! I want window screen corners that can be turned over so the channel to hold the spline & screen faces up !

 

[Gargamell]

3D printing is pretty cool. Lot's of possibilities ! I want window screen corners that can be turned over so the channel to hold the spline & screen faces up !

couldn't you do that without special corners just build your frame and flip it upside down

 

[cracker]

I want to cut out a square out of a corner for say a return or such. So You need a corner that faces in & one pointing out either way one of them has to be turned up the other upside down. Would be better to show You a pic.

 

[Gargamell]

I want to cut out a square out of a corner for say a return or such. So You need a corner that faces in & one pointing out either way one of them has to be turned up the other upside down. Would be better to show You a pic.

No I understand what you are saying