3d Model Printing Service - discussion and FAQ

[Tom-3DT]

Full details here

3DTotal and Growit have come up with an amazing new service that brings high quality 3d Printing to the masses from prices as low as $50. That's right your very own masterpiece created just for you as a unique physical 3d sculpture.

There are naturally some restrictions and your model files need to be prepared in a certain way before they can go to the 3d printer so this forum thread is the place to post your questions and then we will answer them and build up a FAQ.

Full details here

Thanks, Tom

*** FAQ So Far ***

Q. Would be nice to know how tall an 8" print is compared to something I know, like a CD or something.
A. We will get some more photos soon and will include scale ref items, a typical CD is about 4.5 inches in diameter.

Q. What printer are you using to create the models? I have tried some printers at tech shows, and the final results are very different.
A. We are using our Objet Connex 500, for this service. We chose to use this particular machine, rather than some of our others, because of the incredible detail that it is capable of. Up until this machine was available, the typical layer thicknesses of other additive technologies were 127 microns (.005 inch). This machine allows us to create parts in layers as small as 16 microns (.0006 inch). The layer thickness is usually a good way to determine what the quality of your part will be, the smaller the better.

Q. What materials are available and in what ways will they influence cost?
A. We are currently only offering the blue material you see in the pictures of Eva and the Gargoyle. Other materials are available and will be offered in the near future, please continue to look at the shop for these to be added.

Q. The size chart that is there seems to cover a lot, but what if the size is of a size smaller than 3.5 inches, would it be cheaper or would the objects be doubled up?
A. Im afraid it wouldnt be cheaper as $50 is the minimum charge, depending on your models volume, you will be advised of it's size by email before the print commences.

Q.What i am interested in is how the prints are physically. I have seen many printers that do not use resin and basically have a kind of plaster hardened by ink that are very fragile and crumble after a while.
A. These models are tough, they are not the 'plaster' type, they are not fragile and will not crumble.

Q. What about international delivery charges?
A. As the prints are made in USA the following applies, : USA $12 - Canada $16 - UK $20 - Europe $32 - Rest of World $32, these are added in the shop automatically at the checkout

Q. What if I order 10 copies? I've got a few people who asked me about getting LeChuck printed, so the question is... if I place a bigger order, will I get a discount?
A. Yes we can discuss discounts for mutiple copies, you need to email in to me for an exact answer on this studiohead(a)3dtotaldotcom (just trying to avoid the spam bots putting my email address like this)

Q. What about perspective / focal length? What are the ideal settings for that, so that the print would look exactly like my 3d model?
A. These play no part whatsoever, its just the mesh file that the printer reads. Your print will be 100% exactly like you submitted mesh.

[Thomas Mahler]

This is really neat. I thought about getting some models printed myself (like this guy here: http://www.thomasmahler.com/portfoli...LeChuck_01.jpg ), but getting it all done and sent to your place is a major pain in the nuts.

I'll read through all of this tomorrow, sounds REALLY interesting! It'd be cool to see some size comparisons, though. Would be nice to know how tall an 8" print is compared to something I know, like a CD or something.

A. We will get some more photos soon and will include scale ref items, a typical CD is about 4.5 inches in diameter.

[BlueSummers-3DT]

I think this is an excellent idea! Rock on, Tom!

[Teyon]

Okay, here's one I don't think I saw in the details page - what materials are available and in what ways will they influence cost?

A. We are currently only offering the blue material you see in the pictures of Eva and the Gargoyle. Other materials are available and will be offered in the near future, please continue to look at the shop for these to be added.

[Jynks]

what printer are you using to create the models? I have tried some printers at tech shows, and the final results are very different.

A. We are using our Objet Connex 500, for this service. We chose to use this particular machine, rather than some of our others, because of the incredible detail that it is capable of. Up until this machine was available, the typical layer thicknesses of other additive technologies were 127 microns (.005 inch). This machine allows us to create parts in layers as small as 16 microns (.0006 inch). The layer thickness is usually a good way to determine what the quality of your part will be, the smaller the better.

[yoyomon]

Cool!

[Gruender]

Does anybody know a freeware program which calculates the volume of a 3d-model?

[Tom-3DT]

Thanks very much for the feedback and questions so far, I will get David from GrowIt to pop in here later today and give you some answers!

Tom

[richardbehar]

What about a car?, it is possible to print a car, like a corvette? If it is, can you also print the interiors, like a car cut.

Best.

Richard

[GROWit]

I will make sure I get on here more often to answer more questions on a regular basis. For now, here is some information that will hopefully help you all enjoy the remarkable possibilities of 3D Printing much more!

Thomas: I look forward to seeing your pirate model to print! I think you will be very pleased with the detail. For your size comparison reference, a typical CD is about 4.5 inches in diameter.

Teyon: We are currently only offering the blue material you see in the pictures of Eva and the Gargoyle. Other materials are available and will be offered in the near future, please continue to look at the shop for these to be added.

We operate one of the only machines in the world that is capable of creating models in multiple materials all on the same platform. Creative options like this will be a specialty product and therefore be a little more expensive.

Jynks: We are using our Objet Connex 500, for this service. We chose to use this particular machine, rather than some of our others, because of the incredible detail that it is capable of. Up until this machine was available, the typical layer thicknesses of other additive technologies were 127 microns (.005 inch). This machine allows us to create parts in layers as small as 16 microns (.0006 inch). The layer thickness is usually a good way to determine what the quality of your part will be, the smaller the better.

richardbehar: We just finished a retrofit of a viper model where we created a newer style rim for the viper that is not available for the particular scale model. I will try to post the picture as soon as possible.

We could definitely create a car cut like the one you pictured. Depending on the scale of the car and the level of detail of features in the interior, we could do the interior as well. Please reference the Basics of Growing 3D Models pdf (preparation guide) that is available on the main 3D printing service page.

I hope to hear from more of you soon.

David

[GROWit]

Here is the picture of the model i spoke about.

David

[FOOFOO69]

The size chart that is there seems to cover a lot, but what if the size is of a size smaller than 3.5 inches, would it be cheaper or would the objects be doubled up?

[Jynks]

What i am interested in is how the prints are physically. I have seen many printers that do not use rezon that basically have a kind of plaster hardened by ink that are very fragile and crumble after a while.

[cgkostas]

hi guys,
just wanted to ask how tall the demon model in the photos is.
this way i can estimate how tall i want my model to be printed
and which price to choose.

nice system and i hope to print lots of stuff with you

[cgkostas]

no need to answer that i found the size comparison image, the gargoyle and eva are 6 inches tall that is 15.24 cm and costs more than 300 dollars to print for a model like the gargoyle, but i think what i want to print is between eva and the gargoyle so maybe with 300 i can get a full 6 inches. we'll see