Author Topic: Maybe this is the tech we need for N Scale RP designs...  (Read 1524 times)

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Lemosteam

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Maybe this is the tech we need for N Scale RP designs...
« on: December 23, 2016, 08:36:06 AM »
+1
Interesting Kickstarter concept.  Combines multiple "maker" technologies with vision and robotics (even includes soldering head @peteski !)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dobot/dobot-m1-pro-robotic-arm-for-makers-and-businesses?ref=5m7667

Facebook video:

https://www.facebook.com/dobotarm/videos/1196149203798953/

Most of the capability shows additive tech, but what if there was a router head with a spherical bit to clean up a roughly printed part for a smoother surface finish?



thomasjmdavis

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Re: Maybe this is the tech we need for N Scale RP designs...
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2016, 11:38:28 AM »
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Reminds me of the first RP machine I ever saw, maybe 30 years ago at an engineering convention in Chicago, but this one is much more advanced.

If this ends up being a $1500-$2000 machine (as implied in their kickstarter pricing), we are all going to want one on our desktops. I would do fine with just a laser cutter and drilling head, as I am inclined to leave 3D printing to folks who do it as their day job. 

I'm old enough that I still think of accuracy in terms of ten thousandths of an inch, but if I am doing the math right in my head, .02 mm is about .0008", which is certainly more accurate than I am with an Xacto knife or drill center.

Quote
but what if there was a router head with a spherical bit to clean up a roughly printed part for a smoother surface finish?
I was thinking that with few different cutterheads and you might be able to machine the part from a rough resin casting, and not need to worry about striations or bestine baths. But would need careful programming so that everything on a given level was cut at the same time, else the +/- .02 mm would cause its own striations.
Tom D.

I have a mind like a steel trap...a VERY rusty, old steel trap.

peteski

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Re: Maybe this is the tech we need for N Scale RP designs...
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2016, 02:11:46 PM »
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Interesting machine, but the elephant in the room is how to program this thing to produce the desired results.   Some modelers already have CAD/CAM experience (because they use those skills at work), but others will have to learn from scratch.  Same goes for regular 3D printing.

Someday we all might have the skills to design objects in 3D space, but for now there is a limited audience for that type of technology.
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aikorob

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Re: Maybe this is the tech we need for N Scale RP designs...
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2016, 05:48:30 PM »
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Interesting machine, but the elephant in the room is how to program this thing to produce the desired results.   Some modelers already have CAD/CAM experience (because they use those skills at work), but others will have to learn from scratch.  Same goes for regular 3D printing.

Someday we all might have the skills to design objects in 3D space, but for now there is a limited audience for that type of technology.

niche business----3D scanning of prototypes and provide the files to 3D printers and desktop CNC owners.

Museums could scan that last remaining whatever and sell files to raise revenue.

peteski

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Re: Maybe this is the tech we need for N Scale RP designs...
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2016, 06:15:01 PM »
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niche business----3D scanning of prototypes and provide the files to 3D printers and desktop CNC owners.

Museums could scan that last remaining whatever and sell files to raise revenue.

But that is only the 1st step in producing a usable N scale model. You have to make it into a usable model shell (and maybe even design a mechanism (chassis) for it.   I suspect that as the time goes by more and more of this process can be automated (CAD programs will get intelligent enough to do a lot of things like hollowing out a 3D model and making it compatible with one of its library of ready-to-use frames, but for now there is a lot of design work still left in the hands of the person drafting the design.
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