Short answer…it’s probably not expensive relative to what you’re asking for. It’s that society programs us from birth to think plastics and other physical goods are “cheap” thanks to clever design for manufacturing at scale. Here’s why… We recognize that AM parts can be “expensive” relative to other plastic parts you might have seen available off the shelf. In this post, we’d like to walk you through one way of thinking about pricing on plastic part fabrication, both conventionally and with digital manufacturing. A common example we give is the “spork” offered at your favorite fast food restaurant. Fast-food restaurants can give these away for free because they make them in the 10M+ / yr and therefore their $500K mold that produces them can be amortized. It’s part of a pleasurable eating experience in the United States to have a fork + spoon combined. But to make just 1 (one) plastic spork with that manufacturing process (plastic injection molding) would
Challenge
RECAP: 3D Printer Gurus San Francisco Hangout – July 2017
In this second meeting, lots was discussed about 3D printing, advanced manufacturing, design, etc. at Gotts Roadhouse in San Francisco’s Ferry Building yesterday, but here are the highlights:
And we’re off…SFmototype has begun!
What did you do last Saturday? We kicked off the first of it’s kind, 3D Design and Prototyping challenge for motorcyclists, enthusiasts and pretty much anyone who can sketch their motorcycle ideas on paper. BuildTak–a 3D printer build platform manufacturer and SFmototype Sponsor–made these beautiful custom 3D printing surfaces for our Type A Machines Series 1 Pros and Printrbot Simple Metals that are on display at SF Moto (275 8th Street, San Francisco, 10a-6pm) Last Saturday, September 10th, we had the official kickoff of our first ever SFmototype Design and Prototyping challenge–where for 45 days, err, 40 days now–people have the opportunity to sketch out on paper, napkin, envelope, whatever…a concept related to motorcycles and submit it to our SFmototype competition. If their concept considered to be the best by a panel of expert judges, they can win a number of prizes: A motorcycle 3D printers CAD training Shop Training and much much more… We had an amazing set of panelists
SFmototype – an all-new retail experience for motorcycle enthusiasts
It all started back in June 2016 with a “hey, what if we did this…” Now, we’re giving away motorcycles, 3D printers, CAD software licenses and more to those who enter to win and participate in what we’re calling “SF Mototype”. Why? Because we believe everyone has untapped creativity that can be unleashed through Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing. On September 10th, we’ll kickoff this all-new retail experience where for 45 days, anyone can become their own motorcycle part / component creator. Yes…anyone. At the end of these 45 days, panels of experts will evaluate each submission and prizes* will be awarded to concepts, designs and fabrications which really engender the spirit of this event: anyone should be able to create and build their own motorcycle parts and components…a.k.a. mototypes. You3Dit and SF Moto have teamed up with a number of industry collaborators to enable people to Make Anything, Anywhere (see partners / sponsors below). HERE’S HOW THE PROCESS WORKS: 1. You have an idea
read more SFmototype – an all-new retail experience for motorcycle enthusiasts
Pre-event Resources: BSB Rapid Innovation Challenge
In concert with Barowski School of Business and the TechShop San Francisco, You3Dit and EO Products will host PROBLEM SOLVED! 3D – a first of it’s kind 3D print-a-thon to challenge business-minded students and public to solve challenges for a thriving local business: EO Products. Over the course of 3 fast-paced days, the participants will learn how to: Use the Rapid Innovation Cycle to identify business opportunities in the context of consumer goods: Specifically Essential Oils. The Rapid Innovation Cycle is a four-step process where teams: 1) recognize an opportunity (i.e. a problem), 2) define a solution which solves the identified problem (within the team’s constraints) and then design and construct a market test that when put before the “unforgiving marketplace”, can yield real customer data Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools to fabricate their market tests on a 3D printer Use a 3D Printer (Printrbot Simple Metal) in order to bring to life their physical prototypes that they’ll use as market tests Just learning how to
read more Pre-event Resources: BSB Rapid Innovation Challenge
