Abstract
The 3D printing world is rapidly expanding with new printer vendors, models, and features being added almost daily. This is especially true given how fast printer designs change. Part of this is because there is a very large (also growing) community of developers, engineers, artists, and laymen who are building, contributing, or providing ideas for new features. Knowing when to jump in or even how to jump in can be a challenge.
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Notes
- 1.
MakerBot has opened its own stores in the New York City area, and Deezmaker has opened a store in Pasadena, California. Yes, you can walk in, get a full demo by a professional staff member, and go home with a 3D printer.
- 2.
Or better, that are affordable. Have you seen the price of industrial-grade 3D printers? Ouch!
- 3.
There are always exceptions and the occasional quality-control issue, but these are rare with professional-grade 3D printers.
- 4.
The kind where every joint requires fiddly turn-bolts (dreadfully fragile), dowels, or nails, and things only go together one way, despite the fact all of the pieces look identical.
- 5.
While your mileage may vary, all 3D printers need maintenance and repair to ensure proper operation.
- 6.
Despite the whimsical name, IC3D are quality printers. They also stock very high-quality filament and are embarking on a mission to manufacture their own filament.
- 7.
Conducted by Jarkko Moilanen and Tere Vadén and appearing in “Manufacturing in Motion: First Survey On the 3D Printing Community,” Statistical Studies of Peer Production, May 31, 2012.
- 8.
Which is why there are so few books written about building 3D printers—they are almost out of date by the time they are published.
- 9.
I suppose in the digital age I should say, “to avoid running out of digital paper.”
- 10.
In other words, the never-say-can’t crowd. Guilty as charged.
- 11.
This is especially true for the first-time builder. Do your homework and plan carefully.
- 12.
Or ounce-inch; a measure of holding torque ( http://www.numberfactory.com/nf_torque.html ).
- 13.
No, not the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_Acquisition ).
- 14.
For example, diverted from other hobbies, mad money, turtle breeding sales, eBay profits, etc.
- 15.
Magnesium is brittle. Go figure.
- 16.
Which really torqued me off!
- 17.
You may also see it spelled polyetheretherketone.
- 18.
For example, “framily” = friends and family, which is a particularly bothersome word mash up.
- 19.
In case you live in areas with strange gravitational illusions (mysteryspot.com).
- 20.
This does not mean you should never level your printer. Making sure your printer’s frame is level or is sitting on a level surface is a good practice, but it isn’t critical. A degree or two out of level will not affect your printer.
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© 2014 Charles Bell
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Bell, C. (2014). Getting a 3D Printer. In: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your 3D Printer. Apress, Berkeley, CA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4302-6808-6_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4302-6808-6_2
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Publisher Name: Apress, Berkeley, CA
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