Does anyone on here have like real access to 3D printer by a chance?
Yes. I do.
G.
To get something made, is it really as simple as sending the maker a google sketchup and choosing the material?
I imagine not all 3D printers are capable of working with all materials but something like ABS Plastic or nylon is pretty standard isn't it?
I've also seen examples of 3D printers at the local Staples and all of it looks really rough and has burs. Is that something that I can sand out to make smoother or will it damage the integrity of the material?
I just want to make a little figurines.
It depends what machine they have and exactly what your model looks like. If you have someone willing to help you out, then they may be happy to accept a Sketchup file and convert it for you, but they wont be able to print directly from that. The file needs to be "sliced" into layers that the printer can then print.
Most home printers (like mine) are like a tiny glue-gun that lays down a bead of plastic in layers. Obviously those layers need something to print onto. For the first layer, you print onto the print bed, but from then on you are printing onto the model so you have a problem with overhangs and other unsupported layers. However, the software can add "support layers", little columns of material under unsupported areas to keep then where they should be, and you then snap these off. This actually works really well, but yes you will need to hand finish the surface if you want it smooth.
How smooth the part comes out will depend on the print resolution. If you want it super smooth then you can do very thin layers, but this then takes many many extra hours to print.
G.
Topic: What have you made? (Read 553741 times)
