Check this out! SLA goes homemade

This probably is the coolest thing I have seen for a long time:

Tinkerer Junior Veloso (www.3dhomemade.blogspot.com) created what most probably is the first homemade SLA printer - killer resolution, see yourself:

  



































See his baby in action:





Junior is aiming at developing a builder's guide and a commercial kit that allows everyone to replicate his printer at low cost - unfortunately he hasn't given out a rough estimate yet. He is planning on crowdsourcing his project via www.indiegogo.com, but hasn't set up a concrete project yet.

I'll keep this blog updated on his actions!

Want to contribute?

My wish is to make this an open blog to all who are 3D printing enthusiasts. I want everyone to be able to not only comment on existing posts, but actually contribute and post on their own!

So in case you would like to post, send me a message and I would be very happy to give you admin rights for this blog!

When will 3D printing become mainstream?

I guess a lot of enthusiasts are asking themselves, when 3D printing will become more conventional. 3D printing has been getting more and more attention in the past year - articles in newspapers and reports on TV are spreading.

I just read a post on fabballoo.com which dealt with the timeframe when 3D printing picks up among a wider audience. According to Olaf Diegel, Director of the Creative Industries Research Institute at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, 3D printing will be common in households in no more than 2 to 3 years:

" I would predict within the next two to three years, everyone that has an interest in design will have one of these at home, and it's only a matter of two or three years before they become mainstream."

I had a course at the University of Wisconsin past semester and a professor of mine, Aric Rindfleisch had similar expectations.

So what has to happen?

1. Probably most important: Printers have to either increase in quality (printers like makerbot or ultimaker) or more expensive printers (like from dimension) have to decrease in price. 
2. We definitely need some sort of more professional infrastructure where people can buy materials or co create designs. I know thingiverse is trying to do this...but I'm must say I am not a reaaal fan
3. CAD file conversion difficulties: STL is what is being used by makerbot and most other low cost 3D printers. This may work for prototyping...but I want more ;) Manufacturers will have to bring out printers that can work with other, more sophisticated formats. Consequently we need printers that can do more than print stuff in plastic

My thoughts on the timeframe - a lot of stuff happened in the last 2 years. But I doubt people like my mom and dad will buy a makerbot or a different low cost printer just cause they can print small objects in plastic...with to be honest, lacking quality. SLA is better in quality, but material costs are $$$. So I guess...2,3 years may not be realistic. More like 5 to 7 till it really kicks off. But I would be happy to be proven wrong.

What do you guys (and girls) think?

 

Introduction

Hi everybody,

this is a blog dedicated to all who are as excited as I am about the coming revolution of 3D printing!

I will regularly post the most coolest new stuff I find about 3D printing - PLEASE ALL FEEL FREE TO CONTRIBUTE!

All the best,

Sebastian