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Author Topic: 3D printing  (Read 2758 times)

Offline tomrommel1

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3D printing
« on: July 11, 2019, 08:11:26 AM »
I am looking into 3d printing some models and I am a complete beginner. As the last thread on 3D printing is 2 years old I just wanted to start this new one. So which printer would be the best/ cheapest to use for miniatures etc.
What do I have to think about when starting. Oh by the way I have only a MacBook at home which software do I need?

Thanks
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Offline beefcake

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2019, 08:30:59 AM »
I hear the anycubic photon is a great resin printer and fairly cheap as far as printers go
 Resin is better for minis than fdm plastic machines.


Offline Rich H

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2019, 08:46:48 AM »
Resin/SLA is best for miniatures – hands down, but as always there are pros and cons when compared to FDM machines
I’ve for an ANet A8 FDM and an Anycubic Photon SLA so comparing SLA to FDM:

Pro SLA
Out of the box (Almost) capability – plug in and start printing. 
Comes with tools/spares/gloves/resin/etc to get you going.
High resolution in all 3 axis
Almost invisible print lines – undercoat and go in most cases.
Time efficiency (Filling the bed takes no longer to print)
Good customer support and good community support

Con SLA:
Expensive resins - £30+ per litre but it does go a long way
Stink -Not all resins but some absolutely stink
Clean up - You need to wash the resin in IPA/Solvent to remove the uncured resin
Post print cure - prints need time to fully cure in UV/Sunlight
Mess - It’s a liquid based system and you will be handling fairly dubious chemicals that will inevitably get everywhere
Failed prints - 8 hours printing and £5 of resin fails at the last minute.
No quick prints - A 28mm mini will take in the order of 3-4 hours
Small build area

Pro FDM
Cheaper starting cost
Printing less stuff is faster
Huge (relatively) build volume
Cheaper materials
More variety in materials (ABS/PLA/Flex/Wood/etc)
Good community support

Con
Very much a hobby – the machines need love and attention.
Very few cheap machines that don’t need work or upgrades (Heated bed/self-level/etc)
Lower resolutions (almost certainly print lines) needing post print processing to get acceptable results.
Printing more stuff take longer (Seems daft but not an issue on SLA)

Both can be frustrating and there is a steep learning curve initially but after that it’s a matter of adjusting your techniques to get the best out of them.

Soem of my stuff here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=116854.msg1477824#msg1477824

An FDM would not be able to do this:

Offline tomrommel1

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2019, 09:54:39 AM »
That helps a lot!! So now another question . Is there a possibility to "scan" scratch build models into STL files?

Offline Rich H

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2019, 10:25:45 AM »
In theory yes... in practice... it depends.

DIY scanner tech exists but it struggles with miniatures in any detail.

It can be done with photogrammatry (loads of normal photos) but its not easy.
Even then using either method you get a 'point cloud' which needs fixing to make a 3d model.

Probably easier to draw the thing in CAD fresh.

Offline tomrommel1

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2019, 12:44:05 PM »
ok thanks

Offline YPU

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2019, 12:54:15 PM »
Rich H pretty much hit the nail on the head.
3d designer, sculptor and printer, at your service!



3d files! (here)

Offline arloid

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2019, 03:37:43 PM »
Another note on resin printers, as far as I'm aware of the resin has a tendency to make the whole house smell if the print area isn't well isolated from the rest of the house.
Or at least that's what I've heard from the internet from a couple of sources.

Offline YPU

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2019, 03:44:09 PM »
The smell levels rather depend on the brand of resin, but many do yes.

Offline Rich H

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2019, 10:35:59 PM »
Yes, some absolutely reek and make my eyes sting after a while.  Some at totally without smell

Offline Antenociti

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2019, 12:24:05 PM »
SLA form2 for us lets you do big and small stuff, but relatively expensive.

\"You don\'t need eyes to see, you need vision.\"

Offline Rich H

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2019, 08:02:48 PM »
Any close ups?  They look interesting!

Offline tomrommel1

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2019, 06:26:27 AM »
OOOOH that is a nice print of so small figures!

Online Daeothar

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2019, 01:01:10 PM »
I recently (and finally ::) ) received my Sparkmaker FHD resin printer, after waiting since November last year for it to be delivered (it was an Indiegogo campaign). It was very cheap at that point, so spur of the moment, I decided to jump onboard, now that the 3D train is still slowly picking up speed along the platform. It won't be long before it will be out of the station, going hundreds of kilometers per hour after all...

The thing that drew me in basically was the Youtube review by Tested (Adam Savage's, yes), in which it was highlighted that the resolution is perfect for printing miniatures, and several different types of resin can be used. There is the standard 'hard' variety, but amongst others, there's also transparent or heat resistant (so much so that a print could withstand vulcanizing rubber or direct pouring of pewter, so ideal for masters or even entire moulds!)

The smaller print bed is less of an issue when printing miniatures or terrain (elements) for 28mm or smaller, so I don't foresee any issues there.

It can be controlled by an Android app (iOS version still in development), and basically has only one button for operation on the machine itself. A sliced 3D design will have to be saved on an SD card, which is then inserted into the printer.

Now; as I'll be off on vacation in mere days now, I've yet to actually try the printer; that will have to wait till I get back, but I have good hopes that after the initial learning curve, I will be able to get some nice results out of it.

In about a month's time, I will be able to report whether or not it's nice to work with, how steep the learning curve is, and how pungent the resin (I got a bottle of the standard (hard) variety)... :)

And @ Antenociti: that's both excellent and re-assuring :D  Are those 6mm miniatures?
Miniatures you say? Well I too, like to live dangerously...
Find a Way, or make one!

Offline Tactalvanic

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Re: 3D printing
« Reply #14 on: July 17, 2019, 07:24:27 AM »
Any possible advice on some types/brands that are in your experiences less smelly?

Considering a large/small (depending on my point of view at any given time..) hobby investment in a Anycubic Photon in the near future..