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Topic: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

http://www.allforge.com/#

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

i have an online friend with over 25 yrs experience in the plastics industry that says don't waste your money on that.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

heartless wrote:

i have an online friend with over 25 yrs experience in the plastics industry that says don't waste your money on that.

Not too shocking. If you want injection molding, you really can't cheat your way around it. For $2500 you can pick up a used home-scale small injection molding machine that will handle easy-flowing plastics. It'll cost you to machine each mold, but the quality will be high once you master it.

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

Sounds kinda like what the mainframers said about the first PCs. Sure, there are dangers and will be missteps but I'm quite sure desktop manufacturing is coming quicker and better than we suspect. The unit I posted about is trying to automate the process to the point that it is as set-and-forget as possible. That will be the killer app if they can pull it off. So, I for one am interested to see how they do.

Plus, we all have probably $2500 of cash, sweat and time in our FFF machines and they can make us a nice part in a few hours or overnight. Unless they foul up. If these guys can knock that down to 5 minutes and deliver a high quality part, what's not to love?

These are interesting times we're living in. Fun to watch.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

It seems neat, but coming from a two decade long manufacturing background this just looks like a dolled up and very limited injection molding machine. But, that's just my perception.

I think this machine will hit the same hype limits that 3d printing did. Everyone thinks it's neato and wants to buy one, but then they forget that they're not that creative, and they don't know how to use any kind of modeling software to design new stuff once they get bored of downloading stuff from Thingiverse.

...Then, it's the fault of the 3d printer! Never mind that every news outlet was praising 3d printing as the next industrial revolution(it's not, nor will it ever be) It's just plain ol' over hype.

I agree that it is interesting and functional, especially for folks like us who're already making stuff all of the time. But, when I watched the promo video and that hipster guy was talking about how a desktop injection molding machine was going to "bring families together", I actually laughed out loud.

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

I do injection molding and it would be nice to be able to make your own injection molds that could take the forces required for injection. I started spending $2000.00 for a injection machine and $1000.00 for a mold. I wanted to inject abs and in order to do so I had to modify the machine to increase the injection force, clamp force, add a dryer for moisture, increase the injection speed, add additional heaters etc.. There is a plastic learning curve: temperature, flow rate, plastic additive. Find a seller for plastic pellets in small quantities, and colors. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble if you believe what they say go for it.

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

this video leaves everything to the imagination and is just a toy add scam (pipe dream) con artists sales pitch. shows nothing of the process or actually working to make anything much less all the types of things it claims like its over 3 different machines in one but only hints of molding something. think I will stick with my much cheaper sure thing SD2

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

I do all the types of manufacturing they claim and more and I say this is just another short lived upstart that will never go into production

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

Well, they had me at "bringing families together". What else could you want from a desktop injection molding machine?

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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Re: 3D printer and automated injection molder. For plastic or metal. $2500

When I was a tool and die maker's apprentice, I got yelled at every day. On the good days I'd only have to dodge the occasional thrown wrench or set of calipers. I never really thought of the industrial molding experience as "family oriented" : )