Tabletop Milling

[jakerupert]

Since I dont want to kidnap Fuchurs very interesting thread about the Replicator 2, I open a new thread here:

 

The contrary technique of milling could become very interesting also, because it has a higher resolution and allows "massproduction",

though the cost of such a Panthograph milling machine must be very high.

Even the 15.000,- for a JWx 30 Roland are far out of range even for the ambitious hobbyist.

 

A pity and even a bit strange, that there is no online service yet for milled items

similar to what Sculpteo oder Shapeways are offering for printed items.

 

I would always prefer that for casual items, because you don`t have the dirt and mustnt care about the technical stuff at your house.

 

Nevertheless while googeling I found this:

 

http://www.mydiycnc.com/full_product

 

and there`s also the imodela from Roland

 

Originated from a kickstartercampaign and with a very interesting price.

Don`t know about the quality though..

 

and there`s also the imodela from Roland

[robcat2075]

Nevertheless while googeling I found this:

 

http://www.mydiycnc.com/full_product

 

Originated from a kickstartercampaign and with a very interesting price.

Don`t know about the quality though..

 

 

I looked at a few of their videos... I didn't know a laser was that loud!

 

 

Looks like it is mostly for cutting parts out of flat sheets. Lots of dust!

[pixelplucker]

I just got a 40w co2 laser, it isn't loud at all other than the stepper motors moving the mirror to position and the sizzling sound of the material.

 

For desktop cnc machines you would be better off with a micro mill. Some available from Littlemachineshop.com. Also Taig makes some super accurate machines and Sherline has some as well. You would probably get frustrated with something flimsy as a home made job with the backlash and broken bits.

 

Been keeping my eyes on the Taig for a while now but can't get myself to shell out the money quite yet.

[jakerupert]

These machines look interesting, but it seems, they aren`t available in Europe.

Also don´T know about the software. Can they work with .stl files ?

 

Seems the milling topic has yet to be discovered for the 3d modeling hobbyist.

 

A cheaper aquvalent to JWx 30 Roland (the 15.000,- ) would be great....

[robcat2075]

I suppose one possibility for this milling idea is that you perhaps could carve a sculpture in wax and then use the "lost wax" technique to cast it in metal.

 

Is there a 3D printer material that would melt as easily as wax?

[pixelplucker]

The Solidscape printers print in wax. There are 2 waxes, one is a low temperature support material, other is the harder higher temperature actual model. These printers are primarily used in the jewelry industry. The newest model is under $30k so you may find the older models on ebay for much much less.. $10k-$20k??

 

I find it easier to have polyjet models printed out that have a similar detail but more durable. I use a silicone rubber to make a mold directly from them and then can cast them in pewter. Nice to have a plastic backup in case something goes wrong or a customer needs to reorder and I no longer have the master mold.