Comments on: Portabee: an affordable, portable 3D printer

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 07:27:17 +0000

I’m not sure whether or not 3D printing in it’s current form will remain a fad or not — for all sorts of cheap stuff, I can imagine the popularity and usefulness….either way, it definitely will lead to the much more profound “desktop MNT factories” (probably in the 2020′s) as you say, sooner or later – it sort of has too.

By: Bob West

Bob West — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:32:10 +0000

3D printing in it’s current form is just a gimmick, limited and often useless materials, slow speed, low resolution and bad surface finish. But anyway, I think this is pretty cool: http://www.arcam.com/ Still only +/- 0.2 mm tolerance. And cost a lot!

I would say we need molecular nanotechnology or some completely new technology for 3d printing to take off!. Melting powder or wire together seem like a dead end.

By: GatorALLin

GatorALLin — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 22:01:23 +0000

ABS and PLA materials are easily available for only $48 per spool 1kg spool of 1.75mm/1.8mm width. color choices are also increasing to include neon, glow in the dark and materials that can even dissolve in water. here is just one example http://store.makerbot.com/filament#pla

By: melajara

melajara — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:07:25 +0000

Very true, it reminds me too well of the dumping on current traditional printers, almost offered, but then you have to pay an outrageous price for the cartridges.

By: Kristof77

Kristof77 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:59:57 +0000

It does feel like the 3D printing is moving rapidly, new articles coming out all the time. I was in a hobby store the other day, all of the little pastic people, furniture, toys, for doll houses, train sets and crafts could all be produced with these devices. The “Made in China” brand and all of those manufactoring jobs the US lost are in trouble.

By: Bri

Bri — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:56:03 +0000

This looks very promising. Now the big issues are cost of materials, and durability of the end product.

By: GatorALLin

GatorALLin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:02:24 +0000

Good…. now as I wait inside the airport I can print my AR-15 lower receivers.

…but seriously… it will be interesting to see how long before you can’t bring this type of machine through the airport check-in screening lines…

…and wow… this printer looks like the resolution is better than others… impressive for $480. Amazing how fast this additive manufacturing is happening (is this industry moving at 3x mores law? or faster?)

…just in case anyone on this forum buys this 3Dprinter, please post up here if you like it …or pros/cons or any other helpful info please. Thanks!!