Late to the party but by this stage there are so many resources and tutorials this should be easy.
Incidentally the total cost for all the associated stuff to start 3D printing (Printer, wash and cure, USB stick, gloves, cleaning alcohol, work tray, etc.) is roughly the same to start metal spin casting.
The main practical differences seem to be:
- Space - 3D printing requires slightly less space and is more 'home friendly' (you'd keep the metal spin caster in the garage but the 3d printer looks trendy in the office at home)
- Time - 3D printing has a bit of a time lapse vs metal spin casting, you can cast up 10-15 minis in as much time in metal. 3D printing said minis seems like it will take 3-5 hours depending on layout
- Hands on - naturally there's more 'manual labour' doing metal spin casting, but that has it's benefits such as quick corrections and tweaks to moulds to get the metal to flow better. The set up and let it run aspect with 3D printing seems to mean a greater cost sink if the print fails.
The similarity seems to be in the engineering aspect, metal spin casting needs gates, channels and air vents. 3D printing needs support struts. Different but similar challenges with both manufacturing processes.
I'll do a full comparison at a later date once I'm up and running.
I anticipate using this primarily for masters that go into metal spin cast moulds. Also, personal items and quick prototyping concepts. Mainly mechanical sculpts that require symmetry, flat surfaces and right angles.
That said, there's no reason I can't put 3D prints up on the webstore - this will help be flesh out some of the existing ranges with larger items.
3D printing is awesome. I bought one 6 months ago & it worked great right out of the box. Yes, there is the occasional failed print, but so far I've always managed to solve the problem, often with the help of the online community.
ReplyDeleteI also seem to have stopped buying physical miniatures. Probably a temporary thing, though I'm likely to become a lot pickier when it comes to those.
The fact that I can sculpt something digitally and someone can purchase the STL for it and print it themselves is amazing. Not to mention cheaper for all parties, and cuts out on shipping. It remains to be seen what the balance will be, some people still want to buy physical minis - as a rule of thumb (which might change) I'll do bigger things digitally, with organic things, like humans, being done traditionally.
Deletebigger things.... so more for FDM than resin printers I guess?
DeleteBigger than a human figure: jetbike, mech, etc. Anything larger, which is unlikely, I'd break into individual smaller parts.
DeleteLooking forward to see how this works for you, haven't dipped my toes in yet but I know it is inevitable. Would also be more than happy to by 3d printed minis off you rather than the standard metals... Fallen Dwarves ;)
ReplyDeleteWarmachines, trolls and cavalry for a start... I'm really itching to expand the range. Finding someone to convert the resin masters and parts into metal is the real tricky bit here, requires a specific type of rubber for the mould which vulcanises at a low temperature. But doing a 15mm range digitally is also enticing....
DeleteNow we're talking but don't tempt me to 15mm, I've got enough to paint as it is :D
DeleteAn exciting new world! I have seen a few comparisons of 3d printing to resin casting. Resin casting becomes pretty expensive very quickly. Metal is a realm that few are familiar with (at home) and so your comparison will be interesting to see!
ReplyDelete