timbo343 Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 Our D&T dept are looking to put a bid in for a 3D printer however we are looking for recommendations on what to buy to possibly guide them in to not waste money. Looking for something around the £200 mark. They have seen this which might or might not be any good: https://www.amazon.co.uk/3D-Official-Creality-removeable-Fiberglass/dp/B07JC93LKS/ref=pd_aw_sbs_328_2/257-7349574-6792833?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JC93LKS&pd_rd_r=26b517de-8d46-11e9-8a2d-aba6c227268c&pd_rd_w=NoBks&pd_rd_wg=3bbg7&pf_rd_p=d9539b3c-75e6-4bff-a48d-94806c2c2f83&pf_rd_r=ZQMRBBBZN5XW9ZDQ6ZHZ&psc=1&refRID=ZQMRBBBZN5XW9ZDQ6ZHZ Also, what software would they use to print the models.
kenney Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 (edited) HI, Our D&T dept uses a Flashforge Finder 3d Printer, it was quite easy to set up and produces good 3D prints. https://www.box.co.uk/Flashforge-Finder-3D-Printer_2472282.html Edited June 13, 2019 by kenney
PotNoodleTech Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 I wouldn't recommend getting an open frame one, they're fine for your man cave but fall short of health and safety within a school.
TronXP Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 I wouldn't recommend getting an open frame one, they're fine for your man cave but fall short of health and safety within a school. Yeah in a DT room full of band saws, belt sanders, hack saws, knives, etc better not get an open frame might be dangerous. 1
noelmm Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 OUr DT department has a Wanhao Duplicator 4s, around £600 on Amazon which is above what you were looking to spend but it does have an enclosure and a Duel extruder. The software that comes with it isn't the best but it works.
crc-ict Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 We are a Primary, but from our experience buying a 3D printer, I'd recommend not bothering at all. Ours has hardly been used. 3D modelling to any useful degree has just proved to be too difficult, the printing is too slow to be practical and the model itself (XYZ Da Vinci AIO 1) is very temperamental. I can see more use in a secondary, but will still need time and perhaps money invested in 3D modelling software and the know-how to use it. £200 isn't going to buy a particularly great 3D printer either.
TechMonkey Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 know-how to use it. This is the biggest thing. Once you have it and have someone that can use it, a whole world of possibilities opens up. But it is having the time and inclination. Prints do take a long time so any work with the kids should be either small projects or prepare them not to see the results for a while. Our school had one donated, same model I think. Just looking at it I'm not too impressed but It's on my list to have a go as if I can prove proof of concept it could be great. Odds and ends for the Maintenance team, medals, trophies, replacement coat hooks, all could be output as and when. I think we would need to get a better printer but if I can justify it then it will be well worth it. Currently it is a DT curiosity that gets played with.
timbo343 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Posted June 13, 2019 Thanks everyone! There is a part of me that thinks 3D printing is just a gimick so will see if the teacher actually needs one. As for the H&S side of things, i see everyone's point about it been open, will raise it with H&S team when i see them.
PotNoodleTech Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 Yeah in a DT room full of band saws, belt sanders, hack saws, knives, etc better not get an open frame might be dangerous. Ah, so just because a band saw is dangerous that gives you cart Blanche to make everything you ever buy for that department as dangerous as possible? We have 4 x XYZ Da Vinci and we use them a lot here (secondary) but I agree with @crc-ict the XYZ software is awful, crashes regularly and the printers themselves are not overly great, very slow. I would avoid XYZ. You can do some really innovative things with a small 3d printer!
timbo343 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Posted June 13, 2019 HI, Our D&T dept uses a Flashforge Finder 3d Printer, it was quite easy to set up and produces good 3D prints. https://www.box.co.uk/Flashforge-Finder-3D-Printer_2472282.html I have recommended this one to our DT dept. They say they aren't too bothered about having one it's just something the A-Level students can have a go with! which to me seems a lot of money wasted just for them to have a go with something. Is there, or does anyone know if 3d printers can be rented?
TronXP Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 Ah, so just because a band saw is dangerous that gives you cart Blanche to make everything you ever buy for that department as dangerous as possible? We have 4 x XYZ Da Vinci and we use them a lot here (secondary) but I agree with @crc-ict the XYZ software is awful, crashes regularly and the printers themselves are not overly great, very slow. I would avoid XYZ. You can do some really innovative things with a small 3d printer! No, but it shows with a risk assessment and the necessary precautions that it can be used safely. 1
Oaktech Posted June 13, 2019 Posted June 13, 2019 I've got one, it's reprap/marlin based jobby... We tried to do a module on 3d design last year using Sketchup and it proved to be too difficult. out of a year 6 of nearly 100 kids, 1 managed to create a print that actually sliced and it wouldn't print properly due to too many fine and unsupported components. I wouldn't bother getting one for curriculum purposes but it's bloody handy for making parts for blinds, and tablet wall holders, and 3.5-2.5 tray adapters and such like. Mine is open frame but the site manager has made a wiremesh frame to just plonk round it when it's running.
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