3D printer at CommVex V10 2014?

[omnicron]

Hello all,

I will be once again attending the wonderful Commvex in Las Vegas this year! One of my favorite shows of the year!

I would LOVE to bring my Makerbot and be able to print any Commodore related items for people at the show!

This is for free. Any donations would be accepted and donated toward present or future CommVex shows.

So get your STL files ready to bring with you to CommVex so we can finally print that Vic 20 case you need! http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:69261

[rbernardo]

Holy cow! That is a great thing to bring.

Writing from Lake Tahoe, California,

[omnicron]

It should be fun!

Large stuff can take awhile to print in decent quality but small things go pretty fast. We can draw up some CommVex 2014 key-chains or something so everyone has something to take home!

[JimDrew]

That will be a problem for some people. I know I can't be around my 3D printer (Ultimaker2) for more than about 10 minutes before I have to leave the room because of the smell (and taste) of the plastic... it is toxic, ya know! I doubt there is adequate ventilation for that. Maybe you can set it in the hallway so you don't kill us.

[omnicron]

No problem Jim. We can figure out where to put it be it in the hallway or just in my room. PLA is suppose to be non-toxic. Is that an issue also?

[rbernardo]

We can figure out where to put it be it in the hallway or just in my room.

Unfortunately, the hotel will not permit it to be placed in the hallway.

So, it's your room,

[BenjaminLumen]

I don't know how well the 3D Printer will fair. Its so close to being a straight up Numerical Control Machine, that you would be just as well machining dies for injection molding plastic then turning out your designs that way.

I guess the flip side of the coin is the price , N.C. can be very pricey, so for productions of less then 100 units , the 3D printer may have a cost advantage.

I saw a 3d printer at the Microsoft store at the Mall, it was neat, but too SLOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!...

I saw one use instantly however and that is turning out modeling parts for Civil Engineer's or Engineer's in General, when they build
a mock up of what they are designing.

[JimDrew]

No problem Jim. We can figure out where to put it be it in the hallway or just in my room. PLA is suppose to be non-toxic. Is that an issue also?

Think again... PLA is toxic, but ABS has two times the level of toxic particles. I have only printed with PLA (never tried ABS yet) and I can't be around it for very long. Google the subject. The FDA is looking at putting some type of ventilation requirement on 3D printers due to the problem. Schools with classrooms having them are already moving them into locations with ventilation hoods. It's really no different than my 100w table laser or my SMT equipment, all of which need their own ventilation systems.

[logicalheart]

Woohoo! I'm interested in 3D printing. I used to read about it in Amiga magazines in the 1980s.
Unfortunately any plastic will put off toxic fumes when melted, and the Casino air is already toxic enough.
I'll be happy though even if I can see it and hear some information.
- Lars

[omnicron]

I don't think I will be the printer this time. I was going to print the printer and possibly just demo it in the my hotel room but that would be just too boring. I will have a CommVex specific 3d printer souvenir for a lucky few to take home.

[rbernardo]

I will have a CommVex specific 3d printer souvenir for a lucky few to take home.

I was pretty bad at flipping in the palm of my hand that CommVEx poker chip and looking cool at the same time. It will take lots of practice. Now all I need is a my Burberry trenchcoat, a 1930s-40s Fedora, and a Humphrey Bogart-way of speaking.

Still in Las Vegas until Sunday,