1 Topic by panchoskywalker

  • panchoskywalker
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Topic: Need some advice for an idea.

Hello, I'm new here and I have no idea about 3d printing, I was thinking about the possibility to print a watch case in colored steel. Understand steel can be anodized and colored but that process involve putting a aluminium layer over the steel which would not fit my idea. So I thought that maybe it would be possible to print a watch case but looking at some videos on the net I realize that the finish isn't perfectly smooth so each piece would need to be polished.
So finally I though about the possibility to print a colored block of steel that could be worked on a CNC machine. Do you this is possible?

See pictures attached.

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2 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-11-24 22:19:56)

  • n2ri
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Re: Need some advice for an idea.

thought aluminum was anodized, not steel? anyway some people like myself cant ware any metal on skin but polished stainless steel without body chemicals reacting either corroding said metal, discoloring skin/metal or all of those issues. and yes Titanium also.

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

3 Reply by panchoskywalker

  • panchoskywalker
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Re: Need some advice for an idea.

Steel can also be anodized, can't post a link but if you google it you will find it.

4 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Need some advice for an idea.

You can anodize steel, but there isn't much point as the resulting finish is not very wear resistant when compared to anodized aluminum.

3D printing steel requires a machine that costs upwards of $500k. If you're going to finish it on a CNC anyway, might as well start there.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

5 Reply by panchoskywalker

  • panchoskywalker
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Re: Need some advice for an idea.

I coud you that but I need colored stealing steel, don't know if that exists. Thanks anyway.