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3D Printers

#3
Used on at my old work, fun for some things.

Don't see much point in owning one unless you want to make a lot of prototype stuff or one off random stuff. While the printers may be getting cheaper, the reels are still expensive. Even then, you can send your CAD drawings off to other companies to produce relatively cheaply (Shapeways, Amazon is meant to be doing it soon too).

(I'm assuming you're talking of the standard plastic additive manufacture devices, metalwork capable devices are still much more expensive).
 
#5
I took some AutoCAD classes in college (for a short time I was going for Engineering and then later for CAD/CNC) and I always enjoyed the programs. Is there any money in creating CAD drawings and selling them? I know there are lots of "freeware" things going on with regards to these on the internet.
 
#7
michael_atw said:
I took some AutoCAD classes in college (for a short time I was going for Engineering and then later for CAD/CNC) and I always enjoyed the programs. Is there any money in creating CAD drawings and selling them? I know there are lots of "freeware" things going on with regards to these on the internet.
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There's money in having an engineering degree and a lot of experience with making CAD drawings. I see that requirement a *lot* lately.
 
#13
michael_atw said:
The above article shows that one can manufacture a car quite simply.

Seems to me that 3D printers might make "armchair engineers" on level with diploma'd ones.
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LOL, not a chance. Maybe in one particular area of computer assisted design, perhaps. At that point the program user would be a designer at best, not an engineer.

Printing out a design on a 3D printer won't make you an engineer anymore than printing out Dicken's Tale of Two Cities on your inkjet makes you a writer.
 
#14
bkbirge said:
LOL, not a chance. Maybe in one particular area of computer assisted design, perhaps. At that point the program user would be a designer at best, not an engineer.

Printing out a design on a 3D printer won't make you an engineer anymore than printing out Dicken's Tale of Two Cities on your inkjet makes you a writer.
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That's why I asked whether there was a market for CAD designs.
 
#15
Only if you are good with CAD and having a good track record to back it up would help too.

With CAD programs being relatively easy to use these days, at least for basic stuff, folks aren't likely to need much support. Heck, if a company works with more specific CAD stuff, they're likely to have someone in house.

It could certainly help you along if you have some smart innovations, like this:

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Pretty smart idea, just a regular button but with a groove you can hold a headphone cable with.

IMO, that's about as far as an armchair engineer is going to get, without getting backing, being mega involved and (somehow) building a reputation.
 

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