Okay, here's something to spice things up: I will be attending Youngstown State University this fall (known for its established additive manufacturing program), and I have previously been given a short tour of the additive manufacturing lab. I did, however, notice that the lab could certainly do with particular machines, and while it did have one DIY printer, it was for show more than for actual use (an older model).
So...I'll be working Eric and the other technicians to see if they would be willing to try using a filament extruder, or build a machine with more capabilities. I don't expect everything I suggest to catch on, but I have gained a surprising amount of knowledge about FDM printing in the past 2 years, and the university IS entitling every student to 3 prints per semester.
On top of that, I will probably end up taking up a job at the lab for campus employment, so I'll definitely be helping somebody out.
In other words, be prepared to see a bunch of posts here come fall, as I will present this to the technicians as a powerful resource.
(Seriously, there is pretty much the entire history of the Filastruder here, as well as posts poking at the fundamentals of different methods of 3D printing. Easily one of the most in-depth, unofficial guides to the world of 3D printing, except that it responds to the user in real time!)
Filastruder 2607 w/ Filawinder @1.75mm.
Dual-extruder MaxMicron Prusa Mendel: RAMPS 1.4 w/ Repetier Firmware+Full Graphic LCD Controller, stock hotends, 3Dator extruders w/ MK8 gears, insulated enclosure w/ 2 heat lamps, RPi 2B w/ Repetier Server.
0.1-0.2mm layer height, heated bed w/ PEI surface, inductive-sensor autolevel, 0.5mm to 0.2mm nozzle diameters.