Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

3D Printer - where and how much? (3d Roundabout Design)

  • 24-03-2008 9:38pm
    #1
    chat2joe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭


    Hi,

    As part of a final year college project I'm designing a 3D model of a roundabout. I was thinking it would be sweet to have a physical model of the final design and was curious how much it would cost? Can where in Ireland could I get it done?

    I've been looking at 3D printers online like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyZtBYG0QOg

    I'd be able to produce a 3D solid of the roundabout (with crownlines, splitter islands, cut/fill etc.). A 300mm x 300mm x 100mm would be ideal!


Comments

  • #2
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    I think there is a company called Model Works or some such that make models for Architects and the like. Give them a call or check the Golden Pages for something similar

    PS What software are using to do the modeling?


  • #3
    chris85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,502 ✭✭✭chris85


    chat2joe wrote: »
    Hi,

    As part of a final year college project I'm designing a 3D model of a roundabout. I was thinking it would be sweet to have a physical model of the final design and was curious how much it would cost? Can where in Ireland could I get it done?

    I've been looking at 3D printers online like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyZtBYG0QOg

    I'd be able to produce a 3D solid of the roundabout (with crownlines, splitter islands, cut/fill etc.). A 300mm x 300mm x 100mm would be ideal!

    Ok cool vid i see there. It looks the same as the SLS rapid prototyping device. Some colleges have this equipment. Ive seen the types of stuff they produce and they would easily do a roundabout im sure.

    Important to know what software is being used to generate the model so what you using?


  • #4
    Darren1o1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 744 ✭✭✭Darren1o1


    chris85 wrote: »
    Ok cool vid i see there. It looks the same as the SLS rapid prototyping device. Some colleges have this equipment. Ive seen the types of stuff they produce and they would easily do a roundabout im sure.

    Important to know what software is being used to generate the model so what you using?


    You need essentially a cad package that can output an stl file. Generally 3D print out are expensive to produce and take a large amount of time. They are mainly used in rapid prototyping of new products. Most mech eng depts will have one, I know the DCU mech eng has one if not several.


  • #5
    chris85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,502 ✭✭✭chris85


    Darren1o1 wrote: »
    You need essentially a cad package that can output an stl file. Generally 3D print out are expensive to produce and take a large amount of time. They are mainly used in rapid prototyping of new products. Most mech eng depts will have one, I know the DCU mech eng has one if not several.

    I think a .iges file will also work with most of the rapid prototyping machines. You must check this out on the CAD package you are using. IT Tallaght also have a rapid prototyping machine.

    You can contact the colleges and they may be able to help do this for you or your head of department may be able to do it as they will have more knowledge about how to go about it.


  • #6
    chat2joe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭chat2joe


    Thanks guys!

    I've the model done up in AutoCad (Civil 3D to be precice). I can have it as a 3D Solid in a few clicks so I'm sure that can be converted easily to one of those file types.. It's the 3D road surface at the moment but I can extrude it downwards and flatten out the bottom.

    I used Novapoint for the road design element of it - it's a installs as a module within CAD.

    I think the biomedical eng dept in the college have a similar device but I had the impression is was for very small, highly accurate models. I'll ask around the departments though...

    College would probably be the best bet as a commercial place would probably charge me a fortune, and it's not essential.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    chris85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,502 ✭✭✭chris85


    chat2joe wrote: »
    Thanks guys!

    I've the model done up in AutoCad (Civil 3D to be precice). I can have it as a 3D Solid in a few clicks so I'm sure that can be converted easily to one of those file types.. It's the 3D road surface at the moment but I can extrude it downwards and flatten out the bottom.

    I used Novapoint for the road design element of it - it's a installs as a module within CAD.

    I think the biomedical eng dept in the college have a similar device but I had the impression is was for very small, highly accurate models. I'll ask around the departments though...

    College would probably be the best bet as a commercial place would probably charge me a fortune, and it's not essential.

    Yeah the biomedical department should definitly be able to provide some help. Ive seen many many types of parts made from it.


  • #8
    chat2joe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 238 ✭✭chat2joe


    Ive seen many many types of parts made from it.

    Was chattin to a final year student there - their maching cost a million or two and makes actual working prototypes of mechanical parts. To do a model of that scale would cost 10,000euro or so!! :eek: I wouldn't need anything near the high standard or accuracy of that machine though....


  • #9
    chris85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,502 ✭✭✭chris85


    chat2joe wrote: »
    Was chattin to a final year student there - their maching cost a million or two and makes actual working prototypes of mechanical parts. To do a model of that scale would cost 10,000euro or so!! :eek: I wouldn't need anything near the high standard or accuracy of that machine though....

    Yeah these prototypes are the business. They are so accurate its not even funny. The materials required (powder) is very expensive.

    If you are just doing this model for show to visualise the result of your project then this may be a bit of an expensive route. It would be nice but dont think it would be viable.

    Well worth a check with the relevant people in your college to see if t can be done.


  • #10
    metalscrubber
    Closed Accounts Posts: 92 ✭✭metalscrubber


    Hi Joe,

    Theres a guy who posts on the contruction forum, who's user name I can't remember but he runs this place - they make models / displays from foam using a 3D cutter. Maybe they can help? BTW - I have no affilation to them.

    /www.madeinhollywood.ie

    Cheers,

    Metal


  • #11
    mawk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭mawk


    z-printers aint all that common and certainly arent cheap.

    but a cnc milling machine would probably do for all intensive purposes. if you college has an engineering dept then they are nearly sure to have one. we use a hurco for weird pieces. i love watching it run!


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    judas101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,581 ✭✭✭judas101


    mawk wrote: »
    z-printers aint all that common and certainly arent cheap.

    but a cnc milling machine would probably do for all intensive purposes. if you college has an engineering dept then they are nearly sure to have one. we use a hurco for weird pieces. i love watching it run!

    agreed. a cnc machine would suffice


Advertisement