ObjetGeometries - YouTube
Tom Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/user/ObjetGeometries?v=Mmq2fi2xXoQ
About 3D Printing & Rapid Prototyping
Objet is the world's leading provider of advanced 3D printing and rapid prototyping machines. We offer a flexible range of desktop, office and advanced multi-material 3D printers along with nearly 70 different 3D printing materials.
-tom johnson
Greg Sonnenfeld
3D printing is really great for prototyping and design and certainly
has potential for keeping prototype work in america. For production
parts though, its very costly compared to classic plastic injection
molding.
A couple years ago I had a face plate and bezel (3cm x 15cm x 27cm )
printed for about $400 dollars from a Stratasys 3-D printing machine,
it was an excellent print, though it had a satin finish, wherein the
spec called for gloss.
We had a production mold for the same part made in China, the 2 molds
were ~$5.5k. We had received quotes from US companies of ~$15k for the
same molds.The unit cost of production was ~$3-4 per bezel/faceplate.
In very small quantities, 3d printing makes sense. In situations where
the "fixed cost" of a mold is negligible, I doubt 3d printing will
ever be able to compete.
P.S. I will note that it was cheaper to have our metal backings made
in the US. The shipping costs for iron from the US to China was very
high (though shipping by ocean freighter was not considered).
****************************
Greg Sonnenfeld
“The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be
sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.”
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Bruce Sherwood
There are quotes from knowledgeable people that although the current
technology is such that it's used mainly for prototypes and special
orders, progress is so rapid that they think it will quickly become
used for regular manufacturing.
Bruce
Greg Sonnenfeld
http://www.economist.com/node/21552892
It makes the same point I did about economies of scale.
It looks like experts from the article predicts 80% production
printing vs. 20% prototype printing by 2020. That may seem nice at
first glance, but if you think about it, it means that average, for
every prototype part they make, they will only be making 4 production
parts in 2020. That is inline with very small quantities and no where
near the ~1:1k-10k ratio you'd be expecting from a large production
run.
****************************
Greg Sonnenfeld
“The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be
sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.”
Bruce Sherwood
supplement on new-style manufacturing.
Bruce
