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Just when I a was plugging away at the work for ACC Baltimore guess what showed up at the school? Our 3D printer. Of course as you know I can't resist a little technology. Like a moth to a flame I was camped out next to this brand new shinny thing for four days straight! Someone needs to make better directions for this thing (it was worse than IKEA's frownie man). It was little rough at first (mostly small technical problems, our PCs needed updating desperately). I did get some great help from Michael Gayk who sort of works for the manufacturer. Thanks buddy!
Now that it is running I have been experimenting. I think I love this machine. There is no heated lye solution you have to dip your piece into or a large vat of resin that you have to suit up for, or powder to vacuum. You just "print" the part and peel away the support and you are done. No messy clean up.
Check out the two pieces I printed yesterday. Notice the loop within a loop towards the bottom? There is also a screen shot of the software and the location of the peeling cuts. Yes I said peeling cuts. This thing is really a glorified vinyl cutter. It lays down a piece of material on a moving Z table, applies a little masking fluid then a little glue, cuts the layer and repeats the process, building an object layer by layer.
