joseph alexander

My office is considering purchasing a rapid prototype printer. Does anyone have any advice or experience? What’s the maintenance consist of? Any rigs that you would recommend? What's the turn around for a model?

-Joe

proces2

i think the best thing out there for speed and affordability is the Zcorp 3d Printer. I haven't looked into the different models that they offer. i think that there are a few options based on bed size. i have had a bunch of 3d print models made (using www.3darttopart.com) and it has very much served the purpose for quick, cheap, fairly detailed study models. Marty Doscher from Morphosis did a whole article on their use of the Zcorp machine (they have one in-house).

http://www.architectureweek.com/2004...tools_1-1.html

sean

Dguarcello

Hi..
I'm in grad school, and the college just got one of the above-mentioned zcorp printers....the thing is pretty good. I'm not sure exactly how much the actual machine cost, but i do know that the powder used for it is rather expensive. Since the school is paying for it, they get the bottom of the line stuff....which is a mere $300+ per bucket.....

The models come out nice enough for not actually having to build it yourself, as long as there isn't anything too thin, or in tension/compression. That might be different when using the good powder/binder.
And the stuff attracts ants.

joseph alexander

How fast would the turn around for a model be... For example we had a initial meeting in regards to a competition and I had a 3d model done last night... all closed objects (stl friendly)... would a 12"x12"x12" model print in an hour or overnight?

-joe

thomas+son

read somewhere z-corp 8"x10"x8" was like 6 hours. That is a full use of the volume. less volumen=less time.

proces2

yes, less volume = less time. model build times are going to run in the 6 hours+ range. Unless its really small, i don't think you will get away with getting some built within an hour.

hollowing out the model can save print time. the rule of thumb is to keep any structural shell condition at 1/8" or thicker.

i believe that Zcorp will do a free print for you - especially if you show interest in buying a machine.

sean

Dguarcello

The 'shell' of a hollowed out model definately needs to be more than 1/8" if you're using the lower quality powder. There are post-print additives out there, but since Zcorp requires you to use proprietary supplies and materials (or else, you void the warranty) and they're EXPENSIVE.....yes, 8"x10"x8"h is the max. volume, and something that large would take 5+ hours to print depending on complexity, layer thickness etc.....but then, you need to let it sit for several hours IN the build bin, and then sit outside of it....then there's cleaning it off.etc....it takes alot of time...

joseph alexander

What about the ABS plastic printers? they take 3 times as long to print but you don't have to treat the models or keep them in the machine.. anyone have any experience with an ABS printer?

-joe

joseph alexander

This is just a follow up, in case some one else is looking for a rapid prototype solution.
I would strongly recommend the ZCorp printer for architecture. It prints three times faster, requires much less time to remove the structure material, and prints at 1/3rd the cost. We had models printed on the 3Dsystems “Invision” printer and the ZCorp “Spectrum Z510”; the Invision is an ABS plastic machine, the Zcorp is a plaster printer. The Zcorp model came out very clean and was treated with a super-glue like hardener which made it rather durable. The Invision had a nice opaque material, but had some heat distortion from the removal process. To the Invisions defense the resellers were new to the machine and claimed that they weren't very skilled with the complicated cleaning process which requires a heat controlled oven or a water bath.... Perhaps the removal process is a downfall to the machine however.
I would describe the ZCORP printer as an over glorified bubble jet printer. Very simply it spreads a layer of ZCORP plaster (using anything else will void the machines warrantee, however if you were to use your own plaster you could, in theory print for next to free) and then has a pass of water and slowly builds up the model.. the simplicity of the model is it's beauty; it has a large footprint but is basically empty inside.
The main advantage to the Invision would be it's palette of plastics and it's advertised resolution, something I didn't really see in the model, if you want a translucent model go with the Invision, anything else go with ZCorp..

-Joe

Battery Boy

If anyone is interested - I'd like to fire this thread up again. I think there is a lot to offer in this new technology and a lot of stumbling blocks. If we work together, perhaps we can turn the "marketing machine" that is ZCorp (Contex) into an obedient producer of good machinery (and software) - that we all know they are capable of.
Although this new wave of machines is not only suitable for architecture, it sure beats bits of balsawood.
I'd love to find someone who can tell me what to tell my potential customers when it comes to producing a workable file. I can't see why I have to use some other software manufacturer's tools to let me convert their file into usable data.

Chin up - the next one will print perfectly.

Cris Smith
New Zealand