[dba-Tech] 3D printers

For those people who need or want to build 3D components and models, in
various forms of plastics it appears that the best system out there is the
RepRap printer. It has been described as the Raspberry PI of the 3D printer
world.

http://www.reprap.org/wiki/RepRap

According to a friend who has done extensive research into these type of
printers the RepRap (Replication-Rapid) is the best product of its sort on
the planet. 

If you require steel and other metal fabrication this is not what you need.
But if you are building molds and limited run plastic products this is for
you. The resolution is of very fine grain. The resultant products are far
superior to similar priced units or even units 3 and 10 times the price.

The machine completely dissembled and is shipped in this form but it is easy
to rebuild. If you order one, coming from the UK, it will cost you about
$800.00 landed. There will of course be duty charges but they limited as
assembly is required.

The other great things about this product is that the software that runs it
is totally Open Source and is continually being improved and refined.

Even the design of the product is Open Source and once you have received you
original printer you can download a full set of 3D component files, from the
site and simply build your own 3D printer again and again. The only pieces
that can not be replicated are the metal pieces but they were originally
choosen so they are simple and can be easily sourced from virtually any
hardware store.

These units are of course in super high demand and if you order one today
your order would not be received for three to four months. One friend
ordered one unit, in late May but is not expecting his printer until the end
of August.

So for all you modeller or fabricators check this out.

Jim