There was a video made by a Dutch TV group about Specialized Bikes' design process. Observe how they're using their rapid prototyping printer to create preliminary designs for approval. Another company I can think of, right off the top of my head, that does the same is Giro eyewear. Of course, I'm sure there's more. Back in the old days, something like this would be done by a dedicated team of concept artists.
The printer is essentially the same as any paper employing printer, except these ones use molten plastic and build them in layers in a process called Fused Deposition Modeling. So the one at Specialized is a Dimension SST 1200 that builds a model in layers of 0.010 inches thick. Its pretty fascinating to see one in action. Like this :
Do you use 3D printers in your projects? I haven't, but I have often wondered about the kind of part geometries these things can't handle. I have seen parts made from 3D printers and those ones don't look too nice surface finish wise. But hey, it gives the message.
Monday, May 03, 2010
6 3D Printing Frame Designs
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TechShop in Menlo Park has a Dimension SST for member use. :-) The San Francisco TechShop bought a Stratasys 3D printer.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Dimension printer in house here at work, and use it frequently for testing out new prototypes mainly for ergonomic or aesthetic reasons. It's somewhat limiting because of the build volume being too small for some parts to be built in one shot (like his bike frame I'd imagine), as well as in other instances the 0.01" resolution being too coarse. It's also not ideal in scenarios where you need to test the strength of a certain design, since the plastic layers easily fracture from each other under the wrong loads. If you're willing and able to take the time to work with these limitations, and invest in a bit of post processing time, it can save a ton of time and number of prototype iterations. From Solidworks to something in my hand a few hours later is pretty nice.
ReplyDelete3D Printing Technology has made it possible for designers to create 3D models and images pre-production products without the need to incur expensive outsourcing costs. With new technologie3D Printing Technology has made it possible for designers to create 3D models and images pre-production products without the need to incur expensive outsourcing costs. With new technologies companies can own their own 3D Print systems and produce 3d models right in their office, saving significant time and moneys companies can own their own 3D Print systems and produce 3d models right in their office, saving significant time and money
ReplyDeleteI went to a 3D in cartography conference last year and there was some really good stuff on using these printers for tactile and 3D mapping. We saw demos and there were some service providers who were surprisingly cheap.
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of links I can pass along if you are interested.
Dee,
ReplyDeleteSure...I'd be interested to see. Pass em on.
Very cool. I have seen a few of these before. Great invention!
ReplyDelete