Topic: 3D printing: Can it benefit the tapers?

[Popmarter]

Hi all, not sure if this it the right place, but I have been fooling around with some 3D software (Sketchup) and got it printed in 3D. (at www.shapeways.com)

Remember, i am not a professional designer, and this was my very first attempt on creating something in 3D. A Taperssection key fob

It's certainly not perfect, but it did came out the way I designed it: very tiny! I got 2 prints, one in a material called "Alumide" and the other being "White Strong & Flexible Polished". The grey Alumide came out a bit better, but the design was a bit to small to have excellent results (the numbers are not readable). But still I am happy with the results. I am on my way to design other stuff, but first I wanted to share this with you.

3D printing is relative easy (I am sure there are some designers here) and maybe it can benefit in one way or the other as it comes to custom designs for a small group of customers.

I think about: custom designed mounts, custom designed cases/boxes. Any other idea's or needs?

[Chuck]

I had a job where I set up a Universal Laser Marking system to laser mark ceramic parts ten years ago. I was able to get similar results with that.
What machine do you use?

[Popmarter]

This was not printed by myself, but at Shapeways. There are 3d printers available for personal use. Not sure if they are capable of this, but probaly will be in the near future.

[hi and lo]

I've done some research on this in the hopes of making parts for active cable components and a few other things. The technology is improving daily and quite promising.

For active mounts (i.e. the delrin kwon/nola bars), the primary issue seems to be the strength of the resulting material. They do make 3d printing materials that have the equivalent strength of delrin or steel (i.e. if you're jay leno... car parts), however it generally requires a machine with more professional features than you're average makerbot consumer machine as more durable materials require significantly higher melting temps.

Those are some really cool designs! I smell a retail thread on the horizon.

[Marshall7]

We've recently purchased a 3D printer at work.  Seems like the possibilities going forward are endless for this technology.

[capnhook]

We've recently purchased a 3D printer at work.  Seems like the possibilities going forward are endless for this technology.

Some of the more porous 3D printing methods lent themselves well to immersing the printed model in thin polyurethane and/or cyanoacrylate, back in the day......you could run a 5/8"-27 tap through afterwards.

[eman]

My friend is selling 3D camera accessories on B&H that he makes with several printers in his house. They are of a type where an x-y head lays down a layer of powdered plastic resin and cures the areas that need to be solid with a laser. Then you pull the finished part out of the powder. If anyone is thinking of producing some recording products I can find out what machine he uses. The powder is ridiculously expensive, and drives the cost of the parts. He also said he would make me stuff for cost  thanks for reminding me.

[jlykos]

This is great!  Can you print an E.A.A. PSP-2 for me?  I would like another one if mine breaks one day.  Also, a pair of Microtech Gefell active cables would be nice.  Thanks in advance and please PM me when everything is ready.

Oh, I'll also take a Real Doll in the "White Strong & Flexible Polished" material, please.  Gets kind of lonely without female companionship here in Afghanistan.

[SmokinJoe]

I was thinking about this for the concentric plastic isolator blocks required in active connectors... like the AKG active project.

[hi and lo]

I was thinking about this for the concentric plastic isolator blocks required in active connectors... like the AKG active project.

Yes. Same for the nylon inserts on schoeps actives.

[Popmarter]

I was thinking about this for the concentric plastic isolator blocks required in active connectors... like the AKG active project.

Yes. Same for the nylon inserts on schoeps actives.

I am not sure what you guys mean by nylon inserts or blocks, i am not familiar with that yet. Any pictures, maybe I can try something? There are different materials possible. Even silver.

[DigiGal]

I was thinking about this for the concentric plastic isolator blocks required in active connectors... like the AKG active project.

Yes. Same for the nylon inserts on schoeps actives.

I am not sure what you guys mean by nylon inserts or blocks, i am not familiar with that yet. Any pictures, maybe I can try something? There are different materials possible. Even silver.

Here's the bottom view of one from an AKG Blueline active...

[followinbob]

you don't need a 3d printer to make insulators inpregnated with a conductor. faster to make it another way.

[justink]

might be able to make some active mounts or something....?

[page]

might be able to make some active mounts or something....?

yeah, I think the kwonbars are the best example of what you could do with this since the bars don't have to be super strong, just resilient enough to pinch on the proper mic components. Instead of doing an order of 50 which essentially only work with one or two mic setups, you could save designs for 8 or 9 and then just print on demand.