[Systems Engineering Teachers' Mailing List] What 3D printer are you using?

Mon Feb 22 11:19:05 AEDT 2016

Hi Ken,

Hate to start with negative stuff, there are many pitfalls with 3D printers and using them with students.

I am long time technology teacher and constantly battling with  issues of using safe stuff with students.
There is chance that there will be always one parent who will raise the issue about the fumes and dust especially using ABS ( there are concerns raised on the Internet about the safety issues with 3D printers, don't just go with MDS SHEETS on ABS).

I am led to believe gluing with PLA is even a more nasty issue and ABS is not so brittle and has a bit more give.

Down to what you need and what you possibly should look for. I am no expert, rather spent a lot of time looking for suitable 3D printers. Depends on what you want to make and how well you can control those enthusiastic fingers.

>From what I understand the da Vinci printers are a bit allergic to enthusiastic fingers and have a lot of problems with down time.

If you are making serious engineering products you might want to consider:

Printers that have an easy and reliable source of filament in Australia (if it is in a cartridge for that a particular model and if the printer goes out of production, as they are doing, you are stuck with a printer that is difficult to get filament for).

You need at least 100micron resolution for quality work.

Don't rely on running it on a network while printing (especially long prints, you know how reliable school networks are) it is a real pain when you do a 4Hr print and you only have a few minutes left, and the network drops out.

Size of print area dictates the size of your end product.

>From what I have read and seen the UP BOX seems ideal but costs about $3200. I have had no working experience with them. Until I see the UP BOX working I am leaning towards them.

Had some experience with a Cube 3 great quality work worked really well, good price $1600, got excited, went looking for them, found out information from suppliers and the Internet that they are more than likely to be discontinued soon if not already and the filament cartridges are only peculiar to that make and model.

I have had information from an engineer who works in a large company using the ultimaker , they have a lot of down time with them and they may not be suitable for students enthusiasm.

Don't know it this is any assistance, good luck.

Cheers George

Sent from my iPad

On 22 Feb 2016, at 10:20 AM, Powter, Aaron D <powter.aaron.d at edumail.vic.gov.au<mailto:powter.aaron.d at edumail.vic.gov.au>> wrote:

Hi Kenneth,

Aaron here from Harvester Technical College.

We are currently using two UP3D printers which we purchased through Tony P from Intellecta. They've worked well with little to none issues.

I am currently looking at purchasing an additional printer and this would be an Ultimaker 3D printer.

Don't quote me on this, but I heard a rumour that the DET may soon require extraction or filters for 3D printers soon to minimise ABS and other plastic fumes.

Regards Aaron

Sent from my iPhone

On 22 Feb 2016, at 10:09 AM, Bell, Kenneth C <bell.kenneth.c at edumail.vic.gov.au<mailto:bell.kenneth.c at edumail.vic.gov.au>> wrote:

Hello fellow subscribers to the Systems Engineering edulist.

The Parents Association just gave us a grant of $2500 to purchase a 3D printer.

I would like to know from people who have a 3D printer:

What they are using?
Roughly how much it cost?
Are they happy with it.

You can either reply using this mailing list or email me directly at:

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Hoping that members of this mailing list can give me some feedback on which 3D printer to buy.

Regards

Ken Bell
Mortlake College

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