the future of 3D printing is assured

[Darrell]

(snip) hobby parts for scale models.

I see them as being useful for making masters for molds used in resin casting. I'm into model trains, and there are a lot of prototypes out there that wouldn't sell enough to make the cost of producing a die-cast plastic model worth while (die casting equipment is very expensive). There are resin models (made in rubber molds), but creating the masters to make the molds from is time-consuming. If you could "print" up a master, with most of the development time spent on a computer instead of at a work bench, such prototypes would be much more available. There are places where you can send your drawings and they'll print it for you, but as the price of 3D printers comes down they become much more accessible to hobbyists.

Right now, at least judging from the Dremel unit, they're at about the price-point of decent quality color printers not so long ago. In a few years you'll be having to shop for a new 3D printer because they stopped making the plastic cartridges for it

I recently saw a Micromark catalog, it had tons of model train stuff in it. IIRC they offered some 3D plastic printers.

[Old Grafton]

Um, I don't know what kind of ladies you consort with, but the ladies I'm familiar with don't binge eat plastic. Or sometimes refer to eating a particularly good polymer as BTS.

I was thinking more along the lines of home-made marital aids. Save the embarrassment and hassle of visiting the local adult store. Just print what you want at home.

**Edit**Subject to the size restrictions of the machine.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAnnnnnnnnnnd.....you yanked my mind right BACK into the gutter.

[Yogimus]

And by marital aid you mean a mistress and a ticket for the wife to take a 2 week cruise?

[PawPaw]

And by marital aid you mean a mistress and a ticket for the wife to take a 2 week cruise?

Don't Yogi, just don't. You'll scare the kids.

[HTRN]

Food has been one of the areas that been explored for a while within the hobbyiest "material additive" arena of hobby CNC. I believe marizipan is the medium that seems to be the most common.

What it allows is one off custom creations, as well as designs that don't translate well to tradtional culinary processes..

Of course, when you see how easy it is to make a vac former to make chocolate molds...

[MarkD]

(snip) hobby parts for scale models.

I see them as being useful for making masters for molds used in resin casting. I'm into model trains, and there are a lot of prototypes out there that wouldn't sell enough to make the cost of producing a die-cast plastic model worth while (die casting equipment is very expensive). There are resin models (made in rubber molds), but creating the masters to make the molds from is time-consuming. If you could "print" up a master, with most of the development time spent on a computer instead of at a work bench, such prototypes would be much more available. There are places where you can send your drawings and they'll print it for you, but as the price of 3D printers comes down they become much more accessible to hobbyists.

Right now, at least judging from the Dremel unit, they're at about the price-point of decent quality color printers not so long ago. In a few years you'll be having to shop for a new 3D printer because they stopped making the plastic cartridges for it

I recently saw a Micromark catalog, it had tons of model train stuff in it. IIRC they offered some 3D plastic printers.

Micro Mark is THE source for model railroading tools and supplies. To the point where a subscription to any of the model railroading magazines is guaranteed to get you a Micro Mark catalog in the mail, perhaps even before your first issue arrives. Everyplace else is an also-ran. And yes, their last catalog had a 3D printer in it.

If I had the space I could easily buy a few thousand dollars worth of modelling equipment from that catalog. As it is I limit myself to things that (a) I can afford (b) I have space for and (c) I'm not likely to injure myself with in a manner requiring more than a band-aid.

[blackeagle603]

Food has been one of the areas that been explored for a while within the hobbyiest "material additive" arena of hobby CNC. I believe marizipan is the medium that seems to be the most common.

What it allows is one off custom creations, as well as designs that don't translate well to tradtional culinary processes..

Of course, when you see how easy it is to make a vac former to make chocolate molds...

Cake Boss, 3DP edition