Is It Time for a 3D Printing Subforum?
 

Should we have a 3D printing subforum? If not, where's the best place to ask questions, post files, etc?

Yeah, I think it's time.

Nah.
Projects is fine.
We already have too many sub-forums.
I would like the "Free fer All" to go back to the title truly.

Problem is that they are spread out among Projects, Building Techniques, Rocksim Asylum, FreeForAll and probably others.



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I would vote affirmative on the motion.

Earl

It's past time. It is the way of the future . . . .

I would go for one. I find myself buying more and more 3D printed rocket items.
I agree it does seems to be the way of the future.

Scott would have to decide the particulars, if he decides to add the forum. Obviously the technical stuff involving hardware, software, files, and raw materials would go in it.

I would imagine build threads using 3D parts would go in the usual Projects section. If a technical 3D thread moves into the building phase, one could just start a thread in Projects and link to it, and back to the technical thread.

Having the forum isn't a big deal to us now, but as folks start getting into 3D in the next few years, it will be nice to have a dedicated section full of ideas, files, etc. to read through. A lot of info is already scattered around the net about inexpensive printers, mods, materials, etc. that the guys already knowledgeable in the area could work into a Sticky FAQ. There are a few posts already here that delve into it, but I don't know where they are right off hand.

There should be a separate subforum for 3D printing and Scott Mills' thread, "3D printing for EVERYONE" should be included in it. I will definitely post to it.

I’d like to see it. The quality is getting good enough that many parts don’t look like they need much sanding. I’ve not built anything yet using printed parts, but I’m ready.

It’s hard to say if and when I’d jump in and actually buy a 3D printer, but I’ve held off on buying some parts, or kits, only because I have so many unfinished projects.

The kits from Boyce Aerospace are ALL 3D printed.
Rocketarium has started to include 3D printed nose cones, boat tails, and detailed scale parts for some of their kits.
Estes put out the Orbis bulk pack for educators. Tubes, chutes, and hardware for 12 rockets. Files are downloaded for the fin cans and nose cones, and printed on a 3D printer.
A current drawback is the micro ridges must be sanded down or filled. I anticipate that next generation printers will make this a thing of the past.
And what a boon for cloners! Someone just posted the files for a Maxi Pershing nose cone and fins over at the "other" forum. Makes it so easy.
So +1 on a new sub forum. Cheers.

Ok. You guys come up with a name for the forum and a description for it. I'll then create it.

Sub-forum Name: 3D Printing Asylum

Description: All aspects of 3D printing model rockets and parts, tips, techniques, plastic filaments and materials, files for 3D prints, printers, and 3D printer software.

For file extensions to include: .sql , .obj, .dae, .vrml, .x3d, and .gcode

Don't forget .stl!

When we had a similar subject matter request on the old usenet rmr we just used subject markers.

[printed parts]

[Enerjet]

My mistake, I meant .stl not .sql

I've created the forum and added the extensions requested, substituting stl for sql. ;)

Note that the forum still has an upload size limit of 2mb for each file.

Let me know what threads I should move into the new forum from the Projects and Building Techniques forums.

Really threw me for a few minutes tonight when I couldn't find a couple of my 3D build threads under Projects anymore! :eek: I thought they'd been lost at first. Did a search and found they'd been moved the new forum. Whew! At least they are not gone.

Scott,

Go ahead and move my "Mercury Redstone 1:75" to the new 3D forum.

Also, any way to edit the title of a thread, the scale is really about 1:52 for the Redstone, not 1:75. :)

Done and done. Sorry to give you a fright with your messages!

He needed a little jolt to keep him awake last night. :D


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