3D printing - the next DRM battle?

[5./JG27.Farber]

I sa a firm on youtube who boasted they could print anything so I sent them a KG13 blue print and asked for a quote, this is their lame reply:

Hi Rudolf,

Thanks for your enquiry, for us to print a part we need a file called a .STL file this stands for Standard Triangular Language this file is produced from C.A.D software and represents the physical shape of the model you want making.

Sorry we could not help on this occasion

Best regards
Slice3D



Slice3D
9Boma road,
Trentham,
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 8EA.

www:Slice3d.com

[swiss]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

I sa a firm on youtube who boasted they could print anything so I sent them a KG13 blue print and asked for a quote, this is their lame reply:

It's not lame. your blueprint wasn't 3d - turning it into one is the expensive part.
Laserscanning an existing could be cheaper, maybe.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Yea ok so we have identified two things wrong with this market...

1.) Companies do not want to risk designing things wrong so they let the customer design it... Thereby any mistakes are the customers - no refunds! Showing a lack of skill and professionalism in my opinion.

I could take a blue print to an engineering firm and there would be no problem with the drawing.


2.) A customer is expected to own software from anyware between £365 GBP to £1179 GBP and be able to use the software to design his object.

So its 400 quid before you even start!

I found this softwares in a quick search -
http://www.cadsoftwaredirect.com/cad...z-c-18_22.html


3.) if I had one to laserscan I would not need one to be 3D printed....

This is case specific but Im adding it anyway.

[swiss]

Originally Posted by 5./JG27.Farber

Yea ok so we have identified two things wrong with this market...

1.)

I could take a blue print to an engineering firm and there would be no problem with the drawing.


2.) A customer is expected to own software from anyware between £365 GBP to £1179 GBP and be able to use the software to design his object.

1. How many hours do think it takes to turn your blueprint into a 3d model?
2. Have you ever had a prototype CNC'd?


1a: How much do they charge an hr?
2a: Even if you have a 3D model, they need to amortize the machine, so it will be high 3 digit - at least.

btw: 1£ for such progi is rather cheap. You can try google sketchup.

[5./JG27.Farber]

Originally Posted by swiss

1. How many hours do think it takes to turn your blueprint into a 3d model?
2. Have you ever had a prototype CNC'd?

btw, Autocad more like £ 4'500 a license

1a: How much do they charge an hr?
2a: Even if you have a 3D model, they need to amortize the machine, so it will be high 3 digit - at least.

No idea how long it takes, I presumed they were offering that service. I presumed they were some kind of manufacturing firm... So, they have not provided the service of say a more traditional manufacturers, so lets look at the other industry - Printing and publishing... If I go to a publisher or printers and describe an idea they will usually quickly design a sketch for free... Then you can tweek it and make suggestions etc... Ive had business cards made and had my van sign written so I have some experience with printers and publishers... These guys did nothing, they just fobbed me off... I wonder if other firms would do the same? I might try some more.