Xzin's 3D Printing Side Business (Beta)

[Xzin]

I hesitate to post such a blatant advertisement. But I thought some members of this community might have some interest. I am in the process of starting up two new companies. They both use three dimensional printing so I bought a 3d printer. More specifically the highest resolution printer on the market. It prints with 16 micron layers (human hair is around 100 microns thick) and the models come out very smooth and are quite durable (unlike Figureprints). The downside is it cannot print in full color. I am offering to sell some of my excess capacity while I am getting off the ground.

I expect to formally launch at the end of January but in the mean time I am ironing out kinks and getting everything working. So no promises of an instant turn around but I will strive to make it right or offer a refund. I don't expect to make bank on this project but it would be nice to eventually pay off the machine. They cost well over $130k new. Honestly, my prices are probably at least 2 or 3 times lower than most any other company out there.

Bottom line is that I am willing to offer 3D printing services on my Objet Eden printer at very close to my cost for a limited time.

Cost is based on size. I will reorient the parts such that the thinnest part is the Z axis. Anything that can fit in the bounding box will be the same cost.

A 7" by 4" by 0.5" model would cost you $64.56 plus shipping.
A 5" by 4" by 1" model would cost $120.80 plus shipping.
A 1" by 1" by 1" model would cost you $51.04 plus shipping.

Build size tops out at around 13" by 13" by 8". But that would cost you about $3,800.00 :)

I expect to have a real time cost calculator live by the end of the month as well as an expanded gallery in the next two weeks.

In the mean time, take a look at this gallery:

http://objet.com/Misc/Gallery/tabid/...S/Default.aspx

It gives a good overview of the kinds of parts you can expect. My jaw still drops when I see what comes off the machine. I can accept most any CAD data, most 3d modeling programs (Maya, ZBrush, Silo, Blender, etc), 3d screen captures (via OGLE, etc) or even point cloud or MRI/CT scan data. If it is 3d, I can print it. There is virtually no geometry that I can't print.

Send me a PM and we can work out the details. I hope to have a better writeup and website live in the near future that will better answer questions but you have to start somewhere :)













Of course any questions or comments or suggestions you have would be most helpful. Don't hold back either - I need to know your real thoughts. I will not be offended!

[keyclone]

That looks like some quality work. very nice detail, which has been lacking in the other 3D modeling services.

any ability to do automated painting? (you say no full color... does that knock out all painting??)

what about wow characters? any possibility?

[Xzin]

I am developing a dye system that would allow me to offer about 32 colors. All or nothing though. I am not willing to paint your models!

As to WoW characters.... there probably are some IP issues there. Figureprints pays a royalty to Blizzard. A few one off projects might be possible but I don't expect to be able to offer Figureprints version 2. Plus their backend ties into WoW (makes it far easier than using Model Viewer or a 3d screenshot program) and they tweak their characters. I have no desire to do that or hire people to do that at this stage.

That said, I have already printed Ragnaros and Mini Diablo :) But they aren't for sale. Maybe a free prize or something.

Also - WoW models are NOT designed to be watertight - they are designed for the screen so it can take a bit of work on my end to make them translate to the real world. They are also VERY low poly so appear somewhat blocky without the textures you normally see on screen. That too can be smoothed out a bit though.

[algol]

If you haven't already investigated this, you should look into making yourself known to some of the local universities. Mine for example has a nanofab shop which does a lot of work for the various research labs and also has a lot of commercial connections. Something like this could help you get the word around that you have the equipment available.

[Iceorbz]

I guess im really confused at how you "print" in 3d? Guess I have a new topic to research lol.

[Xzin]

Print a layer 16 microns thick. Print another layer on top and drop the tray down 16 microns. Repeat thousands of times until you build it up thick enough. This can take 1 - 60+ hours, depending on the thickness.

[Stabface]

Hmm... EVE Online ship models? :~)

[Xzin]

How easy would it be to extract the model data? A few for demos could be really great looking.

[matexoza]

so is this like a pic... or like A Statue? LOL looks cool thowe

[Spook]

I'm curious about the durability of the finished model.

If it would stand up to vibration, varying from modest to pretty severe, it might be worthwhile to market to those that build and fly radio control scale model airplanes. Some of those guys will spend a fair amount to get things made like, scale engines, machine guns, drop tanks, missiles, bombs, and pilot figures that feature their own face. Weight and durability would be concerns to these guys. I have no idea how you'd collect the data needed to print this stuff, just sorta thinking out loud.