A Rapid RapMan

How hard is it to build a RapMan? The very popular 3D printer DIY kit has been built by many people but here's an opportunity for you to see it done in only 2 minutes and 53 seconds. No, it wasn't actually built that quickly, but the video link below shows a time lapse of the process by which two techs paste together the RapMan from a large pile of parts and print out their first objects.

 

The video, made by 3D Printers Australia, is also found on a web page where they've written perhaps the most detailed review of the RapMan we've yet seen, including a host of images from the unboxing to the first print. 

 

Via YouTube and 3D Printers Australia (Hat tip to Rob!)  

Another Slicing Option for BfB

BfB (Bits From Bytes) has announced the availability of a new 3D slicing software option that will be bundled with each of their new 3D printers: Axon. This software is built upon the traditional Skeinforge software that performs the delicate task of converting a 3D model into layered slices suitable for 3D printing. The issue with Skeinforge is a rather difficult interface that appears daunting to new users. 

 

BfB's prime client base are learning institutions, where the majority of users are in fact students, who we believe will benefit from a simplified interface. The other benefit is that the software is free; many current BfB customers use NetFabb, which while being a great program is definitely not free. We think that Universities and other public institutions that are no doubt enduring financial stress will appreciate the Axon option. 

 

The new software bundles in all required bits for quick installation. Good work, BfB!

 

Via PRLog (Hat tip to Will)

The Two Headed RapMan!

No, it's not the title to this summers horror flick. Instead, the very popular RapMan 3D printer kit has a new feature: two heads! For only £149.50 (USD$230) you can purchase an upgrade kit for your RapMan to add a second print head through which you may extrude a material of different color or characteristics. 

 

The RapMan is capable of handling up to three heads, which certainly opens up many possibilities for object creation, particularly for coloration. However, we're wondering whether materials of different quality can be used? Does the software account for different temperatures, speeds, etc. that might be required for materials extruded from different heads? If so, this may begin to approach Objet's PolyJet, which is a multi-material technology for their commercial 3D printers. 

 

Via PRLog

Affordable 3D Printing?

We're examining a news release from Bits From Bytes, who apparently will be unveiling what they say is the "first fully assembled 3D printer to be put on the market for less than £2,000" at the RAPID 2010 Conference and Expo on May 18th. 

 

The new BFB 3000 has a couple of interesting features, aside from the price:

• It's completely standalone, and receives input models via a simple SD card. We're not sure if this is good or bad, but it is certainly simple. With this feature it *definitely* is a desktop printer, since you'll have to grab it to insert the SD card when you want to print.
• Upgradeable from a one-head machine to a two- or three-head machine. This feature likely would permit different materials and/or speedier printing, but according to the specs you lose a bit of X-axis build chamber as you add heads.

 

The BFB 3000 can be pre-ordered right now for £1,995, which is approximately USD$3000. You can add up to two additional print heads at a cost of £250 each (approximately USD$400) and choose a chassis color of Clear, Smoked or Black.

  

We think this is a great step forward for those requiring an introductory 3D printer and who don't have the skills or time to assemble it. The BFB 3000 would be ideal for schools or small design or architectural offices whose needs have grown beyond the use of 3D print services. 

 

Via BitsFromBytes

The Most Popular 3D Printer Brands & Manufacturers?

A strange post appeared last week on Red Chill Media where they listed their thoughts on the "Top 4 Most Popular 3D Printer Brands & Manufacturers". Their list included:

1. Objet
2. Z Corporation
3. Desktop Factory (!)
4. Dimension/Stratasys

We're not sure we'd agree with this list, particularly item 3, Desktop Factory. While DT was highly touted and did good work, they ceased to exist some time ago, after being absorbed by industry giant 3D Systems (hm, where are 3D Systems on the list?) 

 

So who are the leading 3D print vendors these days? We'd have to split this into two very distinct categories: Commercial, where high-quality devices demand high prices, and Hobbyist, where incredibly inexpensive gear is used by a large and growing crowd. 

 

First, our list of commercial 3D printer vendors:

 

• 3D Systems
• Dimension
• envisionTEC
• MCOR
• Objet Geometries
• SOLIDO
• ZCorp

 

And our list of hobbyist 3D printer vendors/projects:

 

• Fab@Home
• MakerBot
• RapMan
• RepRap

 

No, they're not ranked. We have no way of knowing the relative size of these organizations. How would you measure them, anyway? Annual revenue? That would disqualify the open source projects. Media Coverage? Number of prints? Features & quality? All of these organizations offer benefits and challenges, and you must choose the one that fits your needs best. As for us, we decided to list them using an undebatable system: alphabetical. Enjoy!

 

Via Red Chill

Who Is The RapMan?

We've covered the very popular RapMan 3D printer kit on several occasions previously, but there's something a little mysterious about them. We noticed their website and branding changed. We see a new name: "Bits From Bytes". What's going on? Clarification arrived from their spokesperson, Rachel Park, who explains:

Bits from Bytes (BfB, is how they now want to be known) is the manufacturer of the RapMan kit and RapMan Pro 3D printer. A1 Technologies did work closely with BfB during early development of the kit, however A1 is a global distributor of the hardware for BfB. The BfB RapMan and BfB RapMan Pro (again, this is how the products will be marketed going forward) is just one product line in a growing portfolio of advanced but low cost 3D products supplied by A1 Technologies. The portfolio also includes the 3D David laser scanner for which A1 is also a distributor. However, the Chameleon 3D design package that A1 supplies utilises proprietary software.

So to summarize: A1 Technologies is the distributor of the BfB RapMan line of 3D printer kits. They are also distributors for a variety of other 3D technology.

RapMan Wins BETT Award

A1 Technologies, the makers of The RapMan, an inexpensive 3D printer kit targeted at the educational market, recently won the BETT award in the  Digital Devices category for their Bits From Bytes kit. The BETT Awards recognize "the best in educational technology solutions".

 

The Bits From Bytes "complete" kit is priced at £750.00 and is available at their website. However, it appears demand is high, since they warn of a "current 5 week order time". It seems that MakerBot isn't the only 3D kit manufacturer swamped with orders. 

 

Via BETT Awards and Bits From Bytes

The Homemade 3D Printer

Those new to the concept of 3D printing are often even more amazed to find out that it's entirely possible to actually build a 3D printer yourself! It's not particularly easy and you must have very reasonable hardware talent, but definitely possible.

 

You'll need to select a method of depositing print media from many potential concepts, prepare a design for your build chamber, engineer a precision movable print head mechanism, a housing, electronic interfaces and a power source. Oh, and you must develop sophisticated control software to ensure it all works perfectly. 

 

Doesn't sound quite so possible now? Perhaps. 

 

Don't fear! There are several approaches that just might make your project a whole lot easier. Consider the paths taken by others to simplify the work:

• Re-engineer an existing 2D printer mechanism. There's quite a bit of truth when someone explains that a 3D printer is similar to an inkjet. The print head moves across X and Y dimensions already - you merely have to add the third Z dimension. This greatly simplifies the work.
• Use an existing design already perfected by others. There are a couple of excellent projects that can provide the necessary designs and even the required software. The leaders in this category would of course be the RepRap project and Fab@Home.
• Buy a kit. It's not only a proven design, but it's also all the parts and instructions you'll need. Two leading kit makers include MakerBot and The Rap-Man. You can also purchase assembly kits for RepRap and Fab@Home, too. 

It is entirely possible to build a homemade 3D printer. You simply have to decide how much effort you wish to put into the project. If you are up for a difficult technical challenge, design and build it yourself. If you want the assurance that your build will actually work, consider RepRap or Fab@Home. Finally, if you just want to get it done quickly go for a kit.