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Large Format 3D Printers

R

Robert Gruner

New Member
I enjoyed reading the article in Sign & Digital Graphics, Oct 2016 concerning the design and build of a Retro Gasoline Pump. The finished product was roughly 6'x2'x2'. I have no idea what an end user would pay for such a custom product? The article noted that the project took 400 man-hours to complete.

Is there enough business in the 3D Graphics industry to justify the purchase of a $350K 3D printer that could print a similar design (like the retro gas pump
project) in about 8 hours? The printed product would require whatever man-hours necessary to paint/finish, etc.

I was very impressed with the Massivit (http://massivit3d.com/) large format 3D Printer that was exhibited last month at the SGIA Show in Las Vegas. Their marketing mantra is, "Make it Big, Fast, and Profitable". The printer uses a "liquid gel that is UV cured the moment the gel is layered" and is capable of printing objects 5'9"
High (180 cm), 4'9" wide (150cm), and 3'9" deep (102cm).

One of the first users in NA is Carisma out of Brooklyn NY. Please note their initial project.

http://graphicartsmag.com/3d-printing/2016/09/massivit-1800-3d-printer-angry
-birds-movie-common/

http://www.4carisma.com/2016/03/carisma3d-has-launched/

Bob Gruner
 
ChicagoGraphics

ChicagoGraphics

New Member
I saw some really nice large format 3d printers last year in Hong Kong at one of the fairs/tradeshows, the prices we're nowhere near that 350k mark.
 
jfiscus

jfiscus

Rap Master
The market is not there yet in the sign industry and almost all 3D printers are still slow.
We are working with Oakridge Laboratories on developing a few new 3D printers that are both high speed and high quality.
One of these is a printer that prints 7'x2'x2' and is still nowhere near approaching that number.
You will see a lot of changes in the market in the coming year!
 
rjssigns

rjssigns

Active Member
Problem with 3D printing is the tech is evolving so fast. By the time you get the printer bought and set up newer generations are on their way making it obsolete.
Quality is just not there either. Many times it takes a ton of hand finishing/filling etc... to make things look good.

It was a real eye opener when I took some prototyping coursework in college. 3D printers, SLA rigs etc... are great for one off pieces or prototypes. They have a long way to go when it comes to producing any type of quantity. Workhorses in the prototype lab are still the 3 axis CNC's, laser, and molding equipment.
 
R

Robert Gruner

New Member
Let's try again.

https://sdgmag.com/magazine

On the cover of Sign & Digital magazine is a picture of a "Retro Gasoline Pump". An article in the magazine explains the manufacturing process for this "retro gas pump" which stands roughly 6'x2'x2'. According to the article, it took roughly 400 man-hours to build it. I have no idea what it cost to build it or what the end-user would pay for it?

The same "Retro Gasoline Pump" would take about 8 hours to print on the Massivit 3D printer based on the demos I saw. I am not sure how many additional man-hours would be required to paint/finish the "retro gas pump" once it had been printed. I watched the Massivit print at SGIA. It prints a "liquid gel" which is many times faster than a coiled polymer. There was no other 3D printer close to being as fast and as large?

If I had a large enough demand for 6'x5'x4' graphic products; and, I could print and finish them in a few days then perhaps a $350K printer might be justifiable? :)

If any you fine bloggers knows the name of some of these "lower cost" large format 3D printers, then please leave a URL?

Thanks and good printing!
 
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