MEP EP#313: Another Tool for Your Toolbox

3d Printing - Is It Time To Get Into It?

• Types of printers at the personal hobbyist level
  • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
  • Stereolithography (SLA)
• Stephen's Hopes and Dreams
  • Budget $400 to $600
  • Biggest print surface
  • 0.001” (0.0254mm) accuracy
  • Requires only setup/calibration/maintenance
    • No mods just to get it to work
    • What does Stephen mean by "work"
• What to use the 3D printer for
  • Jigs and fixtures
  • Wire harnesses
  • Complex Air manifold
  • Testing adjustments to injection molded parts
• Calibration
  • What is needed
  • How often?
• Software
  • Own vs subscription
  • Slicers?
• Consumables
  • What is needed?
  • How often?
  • What kind of cash we looking at?
• Maintenance
  • Periodic?
  • How often?