World's First Multi-Color, Multi-Polymer 3D Printer Unveiled

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World's First Multi-Color, Multi-Polymer 3D Printer Unveiled

Posted by samzenpus on Monday January 27, 2014 @08:08AM from the look-at-all-the-colors dept.

Lucas123 writes "Stratysis today announced it will be shipping this year a printer that can use hundreds of colors and polymers to create production-grade or prototype objects without the need for assembly. Previously, manufacturers could print multi-colored parts using many different materials and assemble them after completion. Stratasis' Objet500 Connex3 Color Multi-material 3D Printer features a triple-jet printer head that combines droplets of three base materials to produce parts with virtually unlimited combinations of rigid, flexible and transparent color materials in a single print run."

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"Stratysis" "Stratasis'" by Gaygirlie · 2014-01-27 08:10 · Score: 2

Is "Stratasys" really so difficult to write?
1. Re:"Stratysis" "Stratasis'" by JoeMerchant · 2014-01-27 10:33 · Score: 1
  
  For $330K, they can write it however they like.
Absolute B$ by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:16 · Score: 0

Well slashdot.... This is not the first commercially available tri color 3D printer....
http://www.reprappro.com/products/tricolour-mendel/
1. Re:Absolute B$ by Gaygirlie · 2014-01-27 08:21 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I was under the impression that the tricolour-mendel can print in 3 colours, whereas this one uses 3 base-colours to create any of the millions of different combinations, very much like regular printers and RGB-displays and the likes.
2. Re:Absolute B$ by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:57 · Score: 0
  
  funny but it was my understanding that a tri-color mendel used 3 colors mixed in the head to make many colors.
  What I though of while reading this, in the event of a patent, was why not add liquid color chemicals into the print head in a sufficiently turbulant chamber so only a clear filament is required? They add the dyes to the material at some point so why not at the injection point.
3. Re:Absolute B$ by parkinglot777 · 2014-01-27 10:08 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  This is a RepRap Mendel Printer designed to work with three colours or three different plastics at the same time.
  
  In addition to the opportunities this gives you to put lettering on 3D prints and to produce muti-coloured objects, we are researching many functional materials for future release that you will be able to build with.
  Well, I looked at the website and the information they give on the site about the tri-color is very vague! It seems that they intend to do so, and that gives me an impression that they did not have the capability of mixing color at the time they were advertising. They just want to advertise their product to get their name out first.
  My understanding to answer your question about injecting the dyes on the fly, is that it is very difficult to perfectly add a color to the clear filament. In other words, it is not easy to evenly coat the filament and it would require multiple injections to get the right color. Then they may need to mix the colors to the right saturation/hue first before applying the color to the filament. This is not a 2D that can easily do it on one run. Not saying it is impossible, but they may not find the right and economical way to do it yet.
4. Re:Absolute B$ by JoeMerchant · 2014-01-27 10:35 · Score: 1
  
  Color gamut coverage is harder with pigments than glowing emitters - at least if the paint matching pigment carousel at the hardware store is anything to go by.
5. Re: Absolute B$ by peragrin · 2014-01-27 12:46 · Score: 1
  
  As someone who works with industrial pigments. Yes they are. Clear bases are not to bad, but every white base is slightly different.
  You add multiple base materials and each one will take pigment differently. So rubber will tint differently, than each type of plastic, and each hybrid will vary slightly too. It will make matching actual colors consistently a pain in the ass. Possible with good chemistry. But a pain.
  
  --
  i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
6. Re:Absolute B$ by trout007 · 2014-01-28 00:58 · Score: 1
  
  This is actually just a modification of the existing Objet printer. We have one at work and it mixes 2 resins. This gives it a great capability. You can load a soft rubber like resin and a hard resin. Then you can program it to create any hardness in between and it will do it by mixing them. So what this new machine does is just add another (or more) resins to the mix so you can control color as well.
  
  --
  I love Jesus, except for his foreign policy.
Cost? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:22 · Score: 0

How much does it cost?
How much does the materials cost?
1. Re:Cost? by compro01 · 2014-01-27 09:34 · Score: 2
  
  1. $330,000.
  2. Can't find any numbers, but 3-4 digits per litre seems likely.
  
  --
  upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
Nice by cold+fjord · 2014-01-27 08:26 · Score: 4, Insightful

This is great news for prototyping! Hopefully it will help kindle innovation, new companies, new industries, manufacturing, and the economy. Let the innovation commence.
I would think it could be pretty handy for various scientific uses as well.

--
much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
1. Re:Nice by NatasRevol · 2014-01-27 08:30 · Score: 1
  
  It will also kill off the entire replacement parts industry. Cars, washing machines, fridges, etc, etc.
  Not that I'm complaining, but it's not always an easy transition.
  
  --
  There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
2. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 08:34 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  It will also kill off the entire replacement parts industry. Cars, washing machines, fridges, etc, etc.
  Riiiiiiight... because when I need a new tie-rod end in my truck, a shitty plastic one will be just as good as the cast metal part it's replacing.
  In local news tonight, tragedy struck when a moron who replaced metal parts of his vehicle with 3D printed, plastic ones caused an 18-car pile up on the interstate...
  Shit, I'd rather people keep making guns with 'em.
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
3. Re:Nice by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:41 · Score: 0
  
  Riiiiiiight... because when I need a new tie-rod end in my truck, a shitty plastic one will be just as good as the cast metal part it's replacing
  No. It might actually be better :) (at least, it seems well within the realm of possibility)
  http://www.materialstoday.com/amorphous/news/plastics-as-strong-as-steel/
4. Re:Nice by cold+fjord · 2014-01-27 08:43 · Score: 1
  
  I think you make a good point there. Of course there is the flip side in which it may be possible to keep big ticket items in service longer since replacement parts could be less of an issue. It could be a boon to people doing restoration or maintenance work on older equipment, but it may also eat into sales of new equipment.
  And then there is the impact on logistics. If more fabrication of parts can be done locally it will likely reduce the total volume of shipping, for at least some part of the supply chain. That could increase the cost of shipping, although fuel consumption might go down. Could there be an impact like email has had on the Post Office?
  Hard to say what the total impact will be, other than things will be different. And you are right in stating that it isn't always an easy transition.
  
  --
  much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
5. Re:Nice by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:51 · Score: 0
  
  Once you make more than a half dozen parts, it's cheaper to make a mold and produce things like has been done for hundreds of years. 3D printers are nice for prototyping, but they'll never replace mass production.
6. Re:Nice by drinkypoo · 2014-01-27 08:55 · Score: 1
  
  Riiiiiiight... because when I need a new tie-rod end in my truck, a shitty plastic one will be just as good as the cast metal part it's replacing.
  We already have 3d printers which can print metal. It's only a matter of time before they are in the hands of many consumers.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
7. Re:Nice by NatasRevol · 2014-01-27 09:10 · Score: 1
  
  3D printing is perfect for one-off manufacturing though.
  Get a group of friends/co-workers/neighbors to share the up front costs, and you're good to go.
  
  --
  There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
8. Re:Nice by NatasRevol · 2014-01-27 09:11 · Score: 1
  
  Most cars are more plastic than metal.
  
  --
  There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
9. Re:Nice by HornWumpus · 2014-01-27 09:18 · Score: 1
  
  Perfect. Not so much.
  The devil is in the details. Cold welded plastic sucks from a materials perspective. Maybe 'good enough' in some cases.
  Sintered metal is another thing. But it's going to take a very large group of friends to afford that printer.
  
  --
  John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
10. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 09:29 · Score: 1
  
  Riiiiiiight... because when I need a new tie-rod end in my truck, a shitty plastic one will be just as good as the cast metal part it's replacing.
  We already have 3d printers which can print metal. It's only a matter of time before they are in the hands of many consumers.
  Don't get me wrong, I'm enamored with the idea of never having to buy an actual part again myself, but I just don't see it happening anytime soon, for a number of reasons, most of which involve direct government interference into your life.
  Imagine the legal nightmare that will occur the first time a 3D printed car part fails, and someone is injured or killed as a result.
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
11. Re:Nice by GameMaster · 2014-01-27 09:29 · Score: 1
  
  All of the printers I've seen are based on sintering powdered metal into a single larger piece of metal. My understanding of the process is that sintered parts are no-where near the strength of a solid piece of metal. Also, engineered metals used in performance components are selected for the specific capabilities of the alloy. Printing your tie-rod ends from a generic metal is likely t result in a sub-standard part that fails far more quickly than you would otherwise expect.
  This isn't to say that there isn't some other non-sintered 3d printing process out there I haven't heard of but I'm not aware of any such system being anywhere even near production.
  
  --
  
  Rules of Conduct:
  #1 - The DM is always right.
  #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
12. Re:Nice by vlad30 · 2014-01-27 09:31 · Score: 1
  
  It will also kill off the entire replacement parts industry. Cars, washing machines, fridges, etc, etc.
  Not that I'm complaining, but it's not always an easy transition.
  Not Likely however it may make it more efficient and able to produce parts for a longer time. It was explained once to me that when a manufacturer makes parts they estimate how many spares they will require for the future, manufacture them, then store them. The storage cost is incrementally added to each part hence why they are so expensive. 3D printing would go some way to eliminate the storage problem but it would not eliminate need for special materials used by the manufacturer or the precise specs which they could have in their own printing machine. Also when the last part is sold then your product is obsolete and no longer repairable with genuine parts. 3D printing could also make your product last longer in that parts would be available indefinitely.
  
  --
  Your'e all thinking it, I just said it for you
13. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 09:33 · Score: 1
  
  Most cars are more plastic than metal.
  Not the important parts.
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
14. Re:Nice by Immerman · 2014-01-27 09:51 · Score: 1
  
  What nightmare? Some idiot uses a 3D printer to create structural components not up to spec, they fail. He gets charged with either criminal recklessness or suicide, as appropriate. News at 11. Jerry-rigged automotive repairs are hardly anything new.
  Meanwhile in the responsible world high end 3D printers will make custom parts for cars/rockets/etc that can't readily be made any other way, and they'll be subjected to all the usual fitness tests before actually being used somewhere that puts human lives on the line.
  
  --
  --- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
15. Re:Nice by RabidReindeer · 2014-01-27 10:10 · Score: 1
  
  Most cars are more plastic than metal.
  Not the important parts.
  On the other hand, having ridden one down from factory to near-junkyard, I can tell you which parts get harder to find replacements for over the years.
  The "go" parts tend to be pretty generic, and in modern cars with everything packed in tight and assembled by machine, the expensive component of the repair is generally the labor. The "pretty" parts, on the other hand, are changed often on a yearly basis and even something as basic as rubber window trim gets hard to find after a decade when the original has rotted out. Much less stuff like taillight lenses. So if you could print up a an exact replacement without having to scour junkyards, it would be great.
16. Re:Nice by 0123456 · 2014-01-27 10:14 · Score: 1
  
  Indeed. When I scrapped one of my cars some years ago, the metal parts were worth far less than the taillights. which were specific to the convertible version and unavailable new from the manufacturer.
17. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 10:17 · Score: 1
  
  What nightmare?
  I can tell you're not a lawyer. Probably not a busy-body, either.
  Let me answer your question with a question: To date, not one person has been killed or harmed by a 3D printed gun; so why are busy-bodies and politicians already trying to regulate the 3D printing of guns?
  
  Meanwhile in the responsible world high end 3D printers will make custom parts for cars/rockets/etc that can't readily be made any other way, and they'll be subjected to all the usual fitness tests before actually being used somewhere that puts human lives on the line.
  I don't disagree; hell, if I had one that's precisely what I'd be using it for - prototyping designs before I risk my ass in the full-sized version. I just recognize that, in a population this size, there will be people out there with nothing better to do than dream up worst case scenarios, and demand legislators take action. "For the Children," or "To Stop the Terrorists," or some other bullshit like that. I don't doubt they'll come up with a reason.
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
18. Re:Nice by JoeMerchant · 2014-01-27 10:36 · Score: 1
  
  The machine costs $330K, and doesn't print sturdy electrical conductors - it will be awhile before something like this will beat the $5 washing machine part ordered from Amazon.
19. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 10:47 · Score: 1
  
  Most cars are more plastic than metal.
  Not the important parts.
  On the other hand, having ridden one down from factory to near-junkyard, I can tell you which parts get harder to find replacements for over the years.
  The "go" parts tend to be pretty generic, and in modern cars with everything packed in tight and assembled by machine, the expensive component of the repair is generally the labor. The "pretty" parts, on the other hand, are changed often on a yearly basis and even something as basic as rubber window trim gets hard to find after a decade when the original has rotted out. Much less stuff like taillight lenses. So if you could print up a an exact replacement without having to scour junkyards, it would be great.
  You had me at "rubber window trim." Damn but that stuff is hard to find for obscure vintage vehicles.
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
20. Re:Nice by drinkypoo · 2014-01-27 11:17 · Score: 1
  
  All of the printers I've seen are based on sintering powdered metal into a single larger piece of metal. My understanding of the process is that sintered parts are no-where near the strength of a solid piece of metal.
  I've read up on this a bit, I'm by no means an expert but I have a broad overview of the situation. In short, it is this: Forged metal is by far the strongest thing you can get your hands on, but sintered metal is stronger than mere cast metal. This assumes that all else is equal, that is to say, that you're using the same alloy. However, many parts are made out of alloys selected for cost, and not for optimal function. Which leads us to our next point.
  
  Printing your tie-rod ends from a generic metal is likely t result in a sub-standard part that fails far more quickly than you would otherwise expect.
  What do you mean by "a generic metal"? Seems like most tie rod ends are made from forged SAE 1045 steel. If you used something even more serious, then you could get away with it being sintered.
  The big problem with sintered metal is the lack of large grain structure as compared to forged. It gets a very regular grain structure, which is desirable, but the grain is very small. What this means, besides being slightly less strong, is that the failure mode is worse. Forged steel tends to bend, while sintered steel tends to break. Or in more sciencey terms, forged steel has a greater elastic limit and a more desirable failure mode. But if you make it strong enough not to break in the first place, that's not a problem. The problem comes when you try to use the same alloy with sintering processes that you used to forge. You're just not going to get the same results, as proven by the late (2000+) 7.3 powerstrokes.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
21. Re:Nice by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 11:22 · Score: 0
  
  We already have computers. It's only a matter of time before they create an AI that will enslave humanity.
22. Re:Nice by coolsnowmen · 2014-01-27 11:34 · Score: 1
  
  Kind of the same reason that people want to regulate the sale of guns more than the sale of metal in general. Guns only kill things; that is their stated purpose. But there are many positive and constructive uses of other tools. In particular, this 3d printer.
23. Re: Nice by peragrin · 2014-01-27 12:59 · Score: 1
  
  I see this more for car dealers,mechanics,distributors rather than home owners. You will still need raw materials. Home owners don't like keeping boxes of screws.
  No you will take your car in and they will print parts you need. You want new gizmo they print it and ship it.
  The first thing I see being mass produced will be gaskets ,washers, prints etc. Which are generally a massive waste in cost of materials, etc
  
  --
  i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
24. Re:Nice by mjwx · 2014-01-27 14:51 · Score: 1
  
  It will also kill off the entire replacement parts industry. Cars, washing machines, fridges, etc, etc.
  Riiiiiiight... because when I need a new tie-rod end in my truck, a shitty plastic one will be just as good as the cast metal part it's replacing.
  How about replacing the bumper or any other part of the plastic bodywork?
  
  Self repair of small dings and scrapes could become a real possibility. Not to mention the possibility of self designed cosmetic bodykits (although I admit how garish a huge wing on the back of a Toyota Yaris looks).
  
  --
  Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
25. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-28 02:25 · Score: 1
  
  Not to mention the possibility of self designed cosmetic bodykits (although I admit how garish a huge wing on the back of a Toyota Yaris looks).
  You realize the idea of every teenager out there having the ability to 'custom design' a bodykit for their rice rocket does not make me feel any better about this, right?
  Have you ever seen what a 17-year-old considers tasteful?
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
26. Re:Nice by mjwx · 2014-01-28 12:41 · Score: 1
  
  Not to mention the possibility of self designed cosmetic bodykits (although I admit how garish a huge wing on the back of a Toyota Yaris looks).
  You realize the idea of every teenager out there having the ability to 'custom design' a bodykit for their rice rocket does not make me feel any better about this, right?
  Have you ever seen what a 17-year-old considers tasteful?
  As a fan of JDM cars, I assure you I've seen greater horrors than you in that regard :)
  
  --
  Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
27. Re:Nice by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-29 02:57 · Score: 1
  
  As a fan of JDM cars, I assure you I've seen greater horrors than you in that regard :)
  As the former owner of a JDM Corolla I built when I was in high school, I highly doubt it.
  The high-compression engine was cool, but the body... geez, what was I thinking???
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:Oh Great! by NatasRevol · 2014-01-27 08:27 · Score: 1, Funny

Because simulated sex is easier than real sex?

--
There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
The Count by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 08:29 · Score: 0

Two, TWO 3D Printer Slashvertisements, ah ah ah...

--
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
1. Re:The Count by bob_super · 2014-01-27 08:35 · Score: 1
  
  I'm sure they'll announce you can buy them with bitcoins next.
  And they Run Linux, but under GPLv3, using Nvidia hardware, on the cloud.
2. Re:The Count by CanHasDIY · 2014-01-27 08:48 · Score: 1
  
  Not that I don't find the technology cool and all, but... there's more going on in life today than the CES show.
  Hell, there's more at CES than 3D printers, but you wouldn't know it from reading Slashdot.
  
  --
  An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
3. Re:The Count by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:16 · Score: 0
  
  I'm sure they'll announce you can buy them with bitcoins next.
  And they Run Linux, but under GPLv3, using Nvidia hardware, on the cloud.
  Except that Snowden leaked a document warning that the NSA is responsible for weakening the plastic used in the printing.
4. Re:The Count by nschubach · 2014-01-27 09:17 · Score: 1
  
  Apparently you can already buy printers with Bitcoin: http://www.bizjournals.com/bos... Other sources: http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoi...
  
  --
  Every time I start to have faith in humanity, I ruin it by driving to work between 7 and 8 am.
The size of a small car by Charliemopps · 2014-01-27 08:36 · Score: 1

Ok, that thing looks awesome, but it's also the size of a small car. What's the price point? $100k? more? I don't see this thing being useful to anyone but large conglomerates.
1. Re:The size of a small car by bob_super · 2014-01-27 08:38 · Score: 1
  
  It will trickle down...
2. Re:The size of a small car by WillAffleckUW · 2014-01-27 08:44 · Score: 1
  
  It will trickle down...
  After it melts.
  In practice, it will probably be hard to get hold of in places that aren't already wealthy.
  
  --
  -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
3. Re:The size of a small car by 0123456 · 2014-01-27 08:47 · Score: 2
  
  Ok, that thing looks awesome, but it's also the size of a small car. What's the price point? $100k? more? I don't see this thing being useful to anyone but large conglomerates.
  A few weeks ago, I took a photo of a Cray-1, which cost millions of dollars and isn't much smaller than a small car, on my Android tablet, which cost hundreds of dollars and fits in my pocket. I then ran supercomputer benchmarks on my tablet, and turns out it's several times faster than the Cray.
  When technology is allowed to progress without interference, what's expensive today will be in everyone's garage in two or three decades.
4. Re:The size of a small car by bob_super · 2014-01-27 08:53 · Score: 1
  
  No no no no no no... If wealthy people can get it, then you WILL benefit. It's the law, I believe. That's why we all work hard at enabling them to hoard more.
5. Re:The size of a small car by JoeMerchant · 2014-01-27 10:42 · Score: 1
  
  Sometimes:
  
  When technology is allowed to progress without interference, what's expensive today will be in everyone's garage in two or three decades.
  Other times, it stagnates... Manned Space Travel, the internal combustion engine (remarkably unchanged since the 1800s steam engine, and precious little improvement from computer controlled fuel injection), electrical power generation, flying machines, so much potential for improvement and increased adoption - but so little actual progress in the last 50 years. Sometimes it's market forces, sometimes the market pounds away as hard as it can and still can't make a 10x improvement in 50 years (batteries?)
6. Re:The size of a small car by locopuyo · 2014-01-27 12:16 · Score: 1
  
  Are you sure about that? I haven't seen a Cray in anyone's garage.
  
  --
  The Official Site of 1337 Pwnage
This will be shut down by patent holders by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:40 · Score: 1

The reason cheaper 3D printers can't use colours isn't technical, it's because doing so violates patents unless they pay a fortune to license it.
pony?! I wanted a fucking unicorn! by Thud457 · 2014-01-27 08:41 · Score: 1

Can it print nano-tubes and graphene?

--
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1. Re:pony?! I wanted a fucking unicorn! by barlevg · 2014-01-27 09:00 · Score: 1
  
  pony?! I wanted a fucking unicorn!
  You grab the scotch tape, I'll get the broom handle: problem solved.
2. Re:pony?! I wanted a fucking unicorn! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:50 · Score: 0
  
  Why not just grab scotch tape and a pencil? At least he can have his graphene.
Re:Oh Great! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 08:47 · Score: 0

Oh fuck: now we are going to have people printing multi-colored dicks now. I wouldn't mine mult-colored guns though, but why do people print a shitton of dicks?
Knowing the /. crowd, it would more likely be Fleshlite knockoffs.
So how do they do this? by MobyDisk · 2014-01-27 08:55 · Score: 2

I would love to see the insides of this thing. The biggest problem I see is that the mixing process requires you to push all the plastic out of the extruder and prime it again with the new filaments. That would waste a lot of plastic at each color change. So if you printed something with multiple colors per layer, it would waste a lot lot of plastic.
Does anyone have any more details?
1. Re:So how do they do this? by MozeeToby · 2014-01-27 09:13 · Score: 2
  
  You know all the variables though, you can figure out when to change the color so that when it gets through the extruder to the head is exactly when you wanted to change colors anyway. You might have to eject a bit if you don't want any mixing, but the waste could be quite close to zero if they did things right. On the other hand, the pictures and videos they show do not make it look cheap, it's entirely possible that they just say "you're spending $50,000 on the printer and you're worried about $10 worth of plastic?"
2. Re:So how do they do this? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:18 · Score: 1
  
  This is an Objet machine, for which Stratasys is only the US reseller, not the manufacturer. This line of machines is resin based, not FDM. They've already been able to blend two different materials by dithering individual dots at 600DPI. You could for example blend a rubber and an ABS-style material to get intermediate mechanical properties. Really neat stuff.
3. Re:So how do they do this? by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:32 · Score: 0
  
  price is listed in another article as around $330k
4. Re:So how do they do this? by Liquidape · 2014-01-27 09:38 · Score: 1
  
  It's not an extruder FDM. The Objet series are basically ink jets that print UV curable resins layer by layer.
  
  --
  I'll take free beer over free software any day.
5. Re:So how do they do this? by compro01 · 2014-01-27 09:47 · Score: 1
  
  No, this isn't filament. It's an advanced stereolithographic resin system. It's kinda like a 3D inkjet printer.
  
  --
  upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
6. Re:So how do they do this? by JoeMerchant · 2014-01-27 10:44 · Score: 1
  
  The rep-rap I saw working wasn't anywhere near as smart as you describe - it had 2 colors and basically wasted a bunch of whatever it was working with at each change. It was also finicky as hell about ambient room temperatures, etc. and ultimately got returned for refund.
7. Re:So how do they do this? by MozeeToby · 2014-01-27 17:57 · Score: 1
  
  A rep-rap is about 0.1% the cost... so I'm not sure the comparison is valid.
About a quarter of a million pounds sterling... by philip.mather5551 · 2014-01-27 09:06 · Score: 1

The list price is £200,000 which doesn't seem to cover shipping and installation etc so it could be anything up to £250,000 so that's about $330-415,000.

Yeah.
sweet! by ThatsDrDangerToYou · 2014-01-27 09:17 · Score: 1

Now I can print me up a gun in color! Yee ha! (Translation for Brits: colour. You're welcome.)
1. Re: sweet! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:54 · Score: 0
  
  âTranslation for Brits: Colourâ Er... Try pretty much the rest of the English-speaking world! Even in Canada it is officially spelled with a U. Be thankful we tolerate minority spelling; less so your plastic guns! :)
2. Re:sweet! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 21:25 · Score: 0
  
  Nevermind the weapon. You know how they say there's a bullet out there with your name on it, I'll just print a bullet with my name on it and keep it in my pocket. That way I won't get shot because I won't ever shoot myself :o)
  Pte. 100872 Baldrick, S
Re:Oh Great! by abuelos84 · 2014-01-27 09:18 · Score: 1

I rather have people printing dicks than people printing guns..

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-- Counting backwards since 1984!
Not that big news by gurps_npc · 2014-01-27 09:34 · Score: 1

When it comes to 3d printing, the big news will be the printer that can mix different METALS and plastics.
Frankly, plastics don't have the valuable electrical properties that we need for truly innovative design.
Show me a printer that can actually print itself - complete with electric motors and wires - rather than one that can print 'the non-electrical parts of itself'.
THAT would be impressive.

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excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
1. Re:Not that big news by slew · 2014-01-27 10:02 · Score: 2
  
  Frankly, plastics don't have the valuable electrical properties that we need for truly innovative design.
  
  I think you need to think outside the box a bit. It doesn't have to be metal (although metal has some useful properties other than electrical)... Some plastics can be conductive, and certain conductive materials can be embedded into plastics and integrated into the 3d printing process...
  Here's an example of using electro-conductive carbon black in the 3d printing process...
Re:Oh Great! by HiThere · 2014-01-27 09:36 · Score: 1

Perhaps they are devotees of Hermes?

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I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
Re:Oh Great! by _merlin · 2014-01-27 09:38 · Score: 1

Well, two reasons. Firstly, basement-dwelling nerds have far more experience with their own equipment than anything else, so they're far more confident designing dicks in CAD than anything from the other side. Secondly, dicks are supposed to be hard when performing, while boobs are supposed to be soft, meaning current 3D printing technology is far more suited to making functional dicks.
Robotech Statues!!! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:40 · Score: 0

Am I the only one to be excited that I can now print out awesome robotech statues?!
Re:Oh Great! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:41 · Score: 0

Printing your own doesn't require a brown bag order, or a visit to store where everybody sees you. I feel something terrible will happen, as if millions of already suffering sex stores in even more difficulty, suddenly silenced.
Re:Oh Great! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 09:54 · Score: 1

Yeah, your irrational fear of inanimate objects certainly is telling.
Re:Oh Great! by compro01 · 2014-01-27 10:00 · Score: 1

I dunno. Their softest rubber-like material for this printer is supposed to be 27A. Might be soft enough.

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upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
Re:Oh Great! by cheater512 · 2014-01-27 11:03 · Score: 1

Are you afraid of a piano?
Probably not.
Are you afraid of a piano dangling above your head on a thin rope?
You probably are.
Who is afraid of inanimate objects exactly?
Re:Oh Great! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-27 12:57 · Score: 0

Actually, I'm not and you know what I meant so go get fucked, cunt.

And I'll forever keep my guns, fuckyouverymuch.
Re:Oh Great! by Anonymous Coward · 2014-01-28 01:36 · Score: 0

5-year-olds like you are not allowed guns.
3D Printed Helmet @ Home-- No Good by eepok · 2014-01-28 09:03 · Score: 1

Nice bike helmet, but I won't be wearing a 3D printed helmet unless it passes all the same tests that all bike helmets in America pass.