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Australian Company Creates Even Faster 3D Printer
ErnieKey writes: One of the major reasons 3D printing hasn't really caught on is because it's an incredibly slow process. Just last week a company called Carbon3D unveiled a super fast new 3D printing process that utilizes oxygen and light. Now, another company — Gizmo 3D — has unveiled an even faster 3D printing process which is claimed to be more reliable than the process presented by Carbon3D. It can print 30mm in height at a 50 micron resolution in just 6 minutes.
The reason 3d printing doesn't catch on is because 3d printed products are absolute junk because of the type of plastic that must be used.
It looks horrible, it feels horrible, and it isnt very durable. There's currently not much exciting about it beyond the idea. That's why it doesn't catch on.
If you don't believe me, take an item that you think is incredibly sexy and well designed and go print a 3d protector for it.
The problem is they're too limited. They have to get more capable, not faster, in order to meet my needs. If they can insert circuitry, maybe I can print things that are somewhat more useful. As of right now, I have needed exactly one 3D printed thing (a battery holder for an electronic project, which a friend provided gratis.) But at no point in the last five years have my needs for small plastic things added up to the $300 price of a Simplebot, let alone a printer with better quality, resolution, size, or capabilities.
Maybe you have kids who need thousands of plastic army men. Maybe you are in a business where fabricating prototypes is valuable to you. Great for you, I'm glad you have a use for one. Hopefully you'll help drive volume so the costs come down even further. But as they stand today, they're too expensive for anything I need, and would take up more storage space than I want to waste on a toy.
It has nothing to do with thinking big or small. I'm sorry you can't imagine a scenario different from your own experience.
John