Mcor IRIS (http://www.mcortechnologies.com/3d-printers/iris/)
and Youtube video
2013-05-31
3D printed stuff after some light processing and details added
Here are some of the photos of the manipulators I printed earlier. There are 2, the closed fist manipulator is of 1:144 scale, but the open hand is at 1:100.
IMPORANT: I had sanded them (well, fairly lightly and didn't pay that much attention), and added in some details and enchance some panel lines, etc. Finally I put on a thin coat of primer otherwise the slightly translucent material make the details hard to see. So this is NOT what you will get straight out of the printer, and does NOT represent the details the printer could print or the output quality, etc.
Here are some shots of the 1:144 closed fist. I started creating this as a test. But half way into modelling in the 3d software, I was thinking: 'might as well use it on some of my 00 kits". Thats why the design looks similar (but you should be able to see some differences, well, if the photo shows :P).
IMPORANT: I had sanded them (well, fairly lightly and didn't pay that much attention), and added in some details and enchance some panel lines, etc. Finally I put on a thin coat of primer otherwise the slightly translucent material make the details hard to see. So this is NOT what you will get straight out of the printer, and does NOT represent the details the printer could print or the output quality, etc.
Here are some shots of the 1:144 closed fist. I started creating this as a test. But half way into modelling in the 3d software, I was thinking: 'might as well use it on some of my 00 kits". Thats why the design looks similar (but you should be able to see some differences, well, if the photo shows :P).
Construction photos of the HG Reborns Gundam manipulators
I find the flexability of the stylene plastic is great as a basis, and using the fine steel wire for the finger's bone is great.
2013-05-30
Thoughts on 3D Printing and Model Manufacturers
I noticed when peopel talked about 3D printing, it naturally started with topic on 'copy and duplication', then its follow onto the issue with copyright, etc. This is very sad in my opinion. It is like when people see a knife, the only thing they can think of is murder and killing, and failed to see other great benefit it could bring.
Lets not forget, the most important purposes is to create our ideas.
As for how Model Manufactures can work with the technology, and lets use Bandai as the example.
Assume we are at a time when the 3d printing technology is cheaper and better, and there is 100% guaranted on data security (no one could decode or copy) and Bandai has full control over the usage of 3d printing on their data (eg. control how many copy 'you' can print). I see Bandai could do the following:
1. broken part replacement
2. upgrade parts (to fix existing designs)
3. eventually distribute the model digitally
Another thoughts I have is - with 3D Printing technology, it has already changed the way we look at this modelling hobby. There are already 3D Printers that could create 3d models from office paper and with true color at wonderful resolution. In 5~10 years time, you won't need glue, knife, paints airbrush + compressor. You can design your models digitally and print it from a $150 printer, no mess and with great result.
It will change how people defines the modelling hobby. And how we value digital creation and the effort involved.
I am wondering if 3D printer will appear in the local hobby show this year, maybe I should drop the company a note, and see what the traditional modellers would think of it :)
Lets not forget, the most important purposes is to create our ideas.
As for how Model Manufactures can work with the technology, and lets use Bandai as the example.
Assume we are at a time when the 3d printing technology is cheaper and better, and there is 100% guaranted on data security (no one could decode or copy) and Bandai has full control over the usage of 3d printing on their data (eg. control how many copy 'you' can print). I see Bandai could do the following:
1. broken part replacement
2. upgrade parts (to fix existing designs)
3. eventually distribute the model digitally
Another thoughts I have is - with 3D Printing technology, it has already changed the way we look at this modelling hobby. There are already 3D Printers that could create 3d models from office paper and with true color at wonderful resolution. In 5~10 years time, you won't need glue, knife, paints airbrush + compressor. You can design your models digitally and print it from a $150 printer, no mess and with great result.
It will change how people defines the modelling hobby. And how we value digital creation and the effort involved.
I am wondering if 3D printer will appear in the local hobby show this year, maybe I should drop the company a note, and see what the traditional modellers would think of it :)
2013-05-29
Manipulator for the HG Reborns Gundam
These are some of hands I created for the HG Reborns gundam back then.... They are hand sculpted by me, each took around 2~4 hours of work. I originally wanted to put in more details into these hands, but unfortunately the miniput couldn't really hold the detail before it start crumbling.
But now I have a better material to use which will hold details MUCH better than miniput. I will cover it in another article.
Hmm.. perhaps I could put up another article to show my workings on these hands.
They are on a 1cm grid mat, it should give you an idea of the size. Some of the details couldn't quite show in these photos, and the lighting isn't great either. Looks like its time to get a macro lens....
But now I have a better material to use which will hold details MUCH better than miniput. I will cover it in another article.
Hmm.. perhaps I could put up another article to show my workings on these hands.
They are on a 1cm grid mat, it should give you an idea of the size. Some of the details couldn't quite show in these photos, and the lighting isn't great either. Looks like its time to get a macro lens....
