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I've been keeping an eye on the various processes that enable rapid prototyping and micro-scale manufacturing for the last few years. This is the first time I'

I've been keeping an eye on the various processes that enable rapid prototyping and micro-scale manufacturing for the last few years. This is the first time I've seen an off-the-shelf 3D printing solution that works well and is affordable. This is now on my shopping list. If you're interested in DIY'ing something like this check-out the RepRap project: http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page Or for low-cost kits check-out MakerBot: http://makerbot.com/ http://makerbot.com/

steveklabnik 16y ago
Don't also forget the up and comers: Bits from Bytes: http://bitsfrombytes.com/ http://bitsfrombytes.com/ And Purple Platypus (which is selling the RapMan): http://www.purpleplatypus.com/ http://www.purpleplatypus.com/ And Fab@Home: http://fabathome.org/ http://fabathome.org/ And the Ultimaker: http://www.ultimaker.com/ http://www.ultimaker.com/ Then the super cutting edge projects that MIT is doing: http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/fabmate/index.html http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/fabmate/index.html http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/plaster/index.html http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/plaster/index.html It's... heating up a bit, eh? (good for me, my startup is in this space)
- aarongough 16y ago
  Definitely lots of great links there! Out of everything I've seen I think the RepRap has the best overall toolchain for creating models and controlling the machine. One of the reasons I thought the machine in the OP looked so good was because it's software is obviously pretty good too... CloudFab looks great! It's a little disappointing I can't use it in Canada!
  - steveklabnik 16y ago
    > CloudFab looks great! It's a little disappointing I can't use it in Canada! Thanks! You technically _can_, but the address fields are certainly a bit... American centric. We've got some bigger, better stuff coming soon that will certainly be international, so keep your eyes open. I'll be posting it here for sure.
blhack 16y ago
My local hackerspace has a rep rap. They're really cool, but at least my perception is that they're very much for hobbyists. I get the feeling that the makerbot is better and more reliable.
- replicatorblog 16y ago
  And the MakerBot is not very reliable itself. I talked to Bre Pettis, the founder of MakerBot at MakerFaire and he said the biggest challenge they faced was "Uptime" they make a great product, but its kit based origin, and the buggy nature of atoms means you have to be fairly well versed in CS/EE/ME principles to successfully operate one.
bobds 16y ago
I have collected an assortment of information on 3D printers and DIY manufacturing over the last few months. I've started organizing that information on a wiki: http://punkmanufacturing.com/ http://punkmanufacturing.com/ If anyone is interesting in contributing, point me to your email address and I'll set up an account for you.

steveklabnik 16y ago

Don't also forget the up and comers: Bits from Bytes: http://bitsfrombytes.com/ http://bitsfrombytes.com/ And Purple Platypus (which is selling the RapMan): http://www.purpleplatypus.com/ http://www.purpleplatypus.com/ And Fab@Home: http://fabathome.org/ http://fabathome.org/ And the Ultimaker: http://www.ultimaker.com/ http://www.ultimaker.com/ Then the super cutting edge projects that MIT is doing: http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/fabmate/index.html http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/fabmate/index.html http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/plaster/index.html http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/plaster/index.html It's... heating up a bit, eh? (good for me, my startup is in this space)

aarongough 16y ago
Definitely lots of great links there! Out of everything I've seen I think the RepRap has the best overall toolchain for creating models and controlling the machine. One of the reasons I thought the machine in the OP looked so good was because it's software is obviously pretty good too... CloudFab looks great! It's a little disappointing I can't use it in Canada!
- steveklabnik 16y ago
  > CloudFab looks great! It's a little disappointing I can't use it in Canada! Thanks! You technically _can_, but the address fields are certainly a bit... American centric. We've got some bigger, better stuff coming soon that will certainly be international, so keep your eyes open. I'll be posting it here for sure.

blhack 16y ago

My local hackerspace has a rep rap. They're really cool, but at least my perception is that they're very much for hobbyists. I get the feeling that the makerbot is better and more reliable.

replicatorblog 16y ago
And the MakerBot is not very reliable itself. I talked to Bre Pettis, the founder of MakerBot at MakerFaire and he said the biggest challenge they faced was "Uptime" they make a great product, but its kit based origin, and the buggy nature of atoms means you have to be fairly well versed in CS/EE/ME principles to successfully operate one.

bobds 16y ago

I have collected an assortment of information on 3D printers and DIY manufacturing over the last few months. I've started organizing that information on a wiki: http://punkmanufacturing.com/ http://punkmanufacturing.com/ If anyone is interesting in contributing, point me to your email address and I'll set up an account for you.