1 Topic by Alex Fowler

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Topic: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum but I have a team project that is needing the outer casing printed with a thermal resistant thermoplastic like ABSPlus. I've noticed in my area it is very hard to find a 3D printing company that can make something print to my dimensions. We have also looked at using PEEK plastic for our project. Do you all have any suggestions for a company that could print something this large based on a CAD File? I need printing capabilities of 2ftx2ftx1.5ft near Kentucky. I am a University of Kentucky student in Mechanical Engineering in the senior design capstone course designing for a project that needs this large of a printer that could be used.

Thanks in advance!

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

Something that large if a printer existed would take a week to print. How solid does it need to be? You could print it based on smaller interlocking pieces.

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3 Reply by elmoret

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

Themal expansion coefficients will destroy any attempts at printing something that large. You need to print it in pieces, under a cubic foot - then join them. Otherwise, you need to look at SLS, for which there's no issue with that size. SLS is of course *very* expensive.

In my opinion, you're going about this the wrong way. How about posting what you're trying to print?

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4 Reply by machinistjoe

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

elmoret is right. There are more that a few drawbacks to such a large print. Are there any alternative manufacturing methods that might be more appropo for your needs?

5 Reply by shields1.as

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

I'll build you a printer for that size if yam need

6 Reply by shields1.as

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

For fine detail I believe you're right. But they print larger objects like car parts with thick print layers you can print larger but the layers have to be bigger as well and I'm im sure there might need to be some sort of heating or cooling in the enclosure. Probably rather complicated but can be done


elmoret wrote:

Themal expansion coefficients will destroy any attempts at printing something that large. You need to print it in pieces, under a cubic foot - then join them. Otherwise, you need to look at SLS, for which there's no issue with that size. SLS is of course *very* expensive.

In my opinion, you're going about this the wrong way. How about posting what you're trying to print?

7 Reply by Serin

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

Eh?

http://www.manmonthly.com.au/features/b … -supersize

This is a crowd funding thing that I'm running: http://www.gofundme.com/bvi140 It's for pretty selfish reasons tongue

8 Reply by shields1.as

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

Now that's pretty impressive

Serin wrote:

Eh?

http://www.manmonthly.com.au/features/b … -supersize

9 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

And let us not forget that the Oak ridge national laboratory recently printed a shelby cobra I am sure there printer is larger than the one this guy wants.  But they are printing with a  .2- .3 in nozzle.
Tin

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10 Reply by machinistjoe

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Re: In need of a printer with a 2ftx2ftx1.5ft printing capability

Also, I forgot about that guy who printed out an entire kayak in sections. The individual pieces were pretty big, but not really solid pieces. It makes me wonder if heat/warping would really be an issue under the right circumstances.