I’m working on a project that requires a high volume of non-complex pieces that average 25 cm3 material volume a piece. I need to print 400 of these pieces. Having looked around at numerous services it’s become clear that the price to print using a service would be close to the price of an entry-level printer. I am familiar with 3D design and have had objects printed before, this is the largest project to date and the reason I’m running into this question now. Would it be more economical to buy a printer to produce these pieces and at what speed would I be able to expect a print? I have attached the stl file. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.pentagon3.curve_.stl (87.3 KB)
3 Likes
Hi Phil,
I guess you’d expect the answer to be “Well, it depends…” but I’m afraid it does!
It depends which printer you’re using, how fast it’ll print ( of course! ) :-), the degree of in-fill you need ( if it’s solid, hollow or has some pattern of material inside the surface “skin”, to some extent, whether you’re printing raft-less, and how many items you can fit on the build plate for one print.
My printer is by no means the fastest or the biggest. I managed to fit 4 of your thingies on my build plate and at 75% in-fill, it tells me it would take 7 1/2 hours to print. At a lower in-fill, we’re talking 5 hours and at zero infill ( just the outside shell, but as thick as possible {approx 2mm} ) it would be 2 hours.
Just took a look with Cura and Netfabb, both of which tell me your widget is about 3mm long and 1.3mm wide. My software tells me it’s about 80mm x 30mm so there’s some discrepancy there. Could you tell us the intended size??
Cheers!
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
Ah! I noticed your 25cm3, so my software is right. Also, I worked out how to fit more on the build plate. Must be tired.
I finally managed to fit 7 parts onto the plate. My software tells me it’d take 14 hours for solid and nearly 4 hours for shell.
Cheers!
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
Gawd! Wish I hadn’t started this now. That’s the last time I think “I’ll just answer this post before I go to bed.”!
Finally managed to fit no less than 14 of your items onto my plate and with my quick and dirtiest settings it’ll chug 'em out in 3 hours 18 minutes! Worth just noting that shell setting is more useful than you’d think because you can fill the hollow print with epoxy if you’re after something really solid. Worth thinking about!
Just goes to show it’s worth thinking a little!
Hold on! Now it’s saying all 400 in 35 seconds! No? OK! My mistake!
Night!
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
Luuk
February 9, 2015, 9:15am
5
Hey Phil,
if time is not important, and you’ve got some experience in 3D Printing, then buying an entry level 3D Printer could be an option. If you need the prints on a somewhat short notice, then I can help you out with selecting some printers in your area. You can contact me on luuk@3dhubs.com if you want to.
Best,
Hi Phil
Yeah. That’s where I started. How many can you get on your plate if you arrange them like this.
Cheers!
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
By calculating the dimensions of the piece can make us feel 27 pieces on the floor of the press with the right spaces, positioned vertically as you say, but with the base largha on the floor so I do not create any support material and wasting time and remain lower avoiding vibrations .
Oh! Didn’t realise this was a pi**ing contest Alberto. Pi** away, mate.
I can understand why vibrations would be a concern for you, so go ahead
Cheers!
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
I improved, placing them vertically can make 28 pieces in a print. All without forcing makerware, so with optimum operation of the movements. I tried slicing with infill to 15%, time 23 hours and 50 minutes, material 274gr.
So! There ya go, Phil. Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya choice. According to the charges stated on my hub, your doodads, at 75% in-fill, come out around the $10 region each. So, yes. You can save yourself money by buying a 3D printer. Of course, you may find people quoting you far less and I’d “Caveat emptor” that one. Even at a quarter of the price, you can get yourself a 3D printer that’ll do a good job for you. If you’re willing to rush back home to remove your print and get another running every 13 hours, it’ll only take you just over 2 weeks, or less if you’re happier with lower in-fill. Tadaaah!
Cheers!
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
Think you missed one there, mate
Cheers,
AndyL
Pot8oSh3D
Igot 2hrs per single, 100% fill@80 speed
Sorry I did not want the bother anyone, however, since the question was public anyone can say what they please without limits.
