joseph alexander Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 My office is considering purchasing a rapid prototype printer. Does anyone have any advice or experience? What’s the maintenance consist of? Any rigs that you would recommend? What's the turn around for a model? -Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proces2 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 i think the best thing out there for speed and affordability is the Zcorp 3d Printer. I haven't looked into the different models that they offer. i think that there are a few options based on bed size. i have had a bunch of 3d print models made (using http://www.3darttopart.com) and it has very much served the purpose for quick, cheap, fairly detailed study models. Marty Doscher from Morphosis did a whole article on their use of the Zcorp machine (they have one in-house). http://www.architectureweek.com/2004/0818/tools_1-1.html sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dguarcello Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Hi.. I'm in grad school, and the college just got one of the above-mentioned zcorp printers....the thing is pretty good. I'm not sure exactly how much the actual machine cost, but i do know that the powder used for it is rather expensive. Since the school is paying for it, they get the bottom of the line stuff....which is a mere $300+ per bucket..... The models come out nice enough for not actually having to build it yourself, as long as there isn't anything too thin, or in tension/compression. That might be different when using the good powder/binder. And the stuff attracts ants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph alexander Posted April 19, 2005 Author Share Posted April 19, 2005 How fast would the turn around for a model be... For example we had a initial meeting in regards to a competition and I had a 3d model done last night... all closed objects (stl friendly)... would a 12"x12"x12" model print in an hour or overnight? -joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas+son Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 read somewhere z-corp 8"x10"x8" was like 6 hours. That is a full use of the volume. less volumen=less time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proces2 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 yes, less volume = less time. model build times are going to run in the 6 hours+ range. Unless its really small, i don't think you will get away with getting some built within an hour. hollowing out the model can save print time. the rule of thumb is to keep any structural shell condition at 1/8" or thicker. i believe that Zcorp will do a free print for you - especially if you show interest in buying a machine. sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dguarcello Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 The 'shell' of a hollowed out model definately needs to be more than 1/8" if you're using the lower quality powder. There are post-print additives out there, but since Zcorp requires you to use proprietary supplies and materials (or else, you void the warranty) and they're EXPENSIVE.....yes, 8"x10"x8"h is the max. volume, and something that large would take 5+ hours to print depending on complexity, layer thickness etc.....but then, you need to let it sit for several hours IN the build bin, and then sit outside of it....then there's cleaning it off.etc....it takes alot of time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph alexander Posted April 19, 2005 Author Share Posted April 19, 2005 What about the ABS plastic printers? they take 3 times as long to print but you don't have to treat the models or keep them in the machine.. anyone have any experience with an ABS printer? -joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph alexander Posted May 10, 2005 Author Share Posted May 10, 2005 This is just a follow up, in case some one else is looking for a rapid prototype solution. I would strongly recommend the ZCorp printer for architecture. It prints three times faster, requires much less time to remove the structure material, and prints at 1/3rd the cost. We had models printed on the 3Dsystems “Invision” printer and the ZCorp “Spectrum Z510”; the Invision is an ABS plastic machine, the Zcorp is a plaster printer. The Zcorp model came out very clean and was treated with a super-glue like hardener which made it rather durable. The Invision had a nice opaque material, but had some heat distortion from the removal process. To the Invisions defense the resellers were new to the machine and claimed that they weren't very skilled with the complicated cleaning process which requires a heat controlled oven or a water bath.... Perhaps the removal process is a downfall to the machine however. I would describe the ZCORP printer as an over glorified bubble jet printer. Very simply it spreads a layer of ZCORP plaster (using anything else will void the machines warrantee, however if you were to use your own plaster you could, in theory print for next to free) and then has a pass of water and slowly builds up the model.. the simplicity of the model is it's beauty; it has a large footprint but is basically empty inside. The main advantage to the Invision would be it's palette of plastics and it's advertised resolution, something I didn't really see in the model, if you want a translucent model go with the Invision, anything else go with ZCorp.. -Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Battery Boy Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 If anyone is interested - I'd like to fire this thread up again. I think there is a lot to offer in this new technology and a lot of stumbling blocks. If we work together, perhaps we can turn the "marketing machine" that is ZCorp (Contex) into an obedient producer of good machinery (and software) - that we all know they are capable of. Although this new wave of machines is not only suitable for architecture, it sure beats bits of balsawood. I'd love to find someone who can tell me what to tell my potential customers when it comes to producing a workable file. I can't see why I have to use some other software manufacturer's tools to let me convert their file into usable data. Chin up - the next one will print perfectly. Cris Smith New Zealand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I've had several models done using the z-corp method, and I've modeled all of them using max. There are some pitfalls you have to avoid and of course you have to mind certain limitations such as minimum thickness and such but after you do it a few times and with some patience it works well. I use a .stl viewer for viewing the .stl files for errors which is an absolute must. I agree that the z-corp machine is the most practical for architecture. Maybe if there were enough interest in this Jeff could open up a section just for rapid prototyping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic H Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 Iv had great experiences with the ZCorp machines as well. As long as your model is clean (use stl check modifier in max - it highlights any open faces etc) it works very well. I have produced some pretty complex double curved skeleton like structures with it that once I had worked out how thin i could go was reasonably strong once treated. That said I broke alot of models when i was testing it. Ill post some pics. The surface is really quiet nice as well. A finely textured very white finish, perfect for presentation/concept models. Does anyone know if the powder is combustible? I was thinking of using teh 3d print to make a mould / burn it out and make aluminium casts? Im very interested in using one again, I dont know anyone in melbourne with access to one. I think they go for around 20k USD? Anyone wanna go thirds in one? (once i save some more $$$ lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjmcqueen Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 That said I broke alot of models when i was testing it. Ill post some pics. Nic I wouldnt mind seeing some pics of your work/research. It would prob be cheaper for me to see what you have broken, than for me to break it myself lol. Do you have a collection of pics anywhere online ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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