Dimension rapid prototype machine

[toycept]

Does anyone have experience using the Dimension 3-D printer? I am considering the purchase of one of these machines but I'm concerned about the technology being outdated and the resolution being on the rough side.

Any input from anyone with experience using this machine would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Theophilus]

What are your primary issues? Cost, speed, or quality? (Terrible triangle--you can get at best, two of the three on any given product/service with few exceptions.)

Make sure you understand your real operating costs--building and filling material, time for builds, etc.

We don't own our own equipment, but like to trade that off for a very large selection of vendors--and hence materials and process selection.




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[toycept]

thanks for the reply Jeff.....

I don't mind if the Dimension machine takes a little longer to build a part than another comparable machine and the price for the machine is comparable to others in the same class. I am mostly concerned about the quality of the part the Dimension machine is capable of producing. If anyone has any experience with the quality issue or overall happiness/use issue with the machine, I'd like to hear people's experience with the machine.

thanks.

 

[Theophilus]

If I remember correctly, the Dimension produces a "printed" part in a form of ABS. Do you remember what the maximum resolutions are?

We often run SLS nylon and can get resolutions of .005". SLAs can do better, but the material impact resistance and strength is quite limited.

I'd recommend running some parts using the Dimension. Then take the parts to their finished state (primer, paint, whatever) and see if it was worth the effort. SLS nylon parts are a pain to finish because of nylon's resiliance to abrasives (such as files or sand paper). ABS is great to work with.

I think you'll really need to try this yourself. You can get a Dimension for a trial period before buying. I'd recommend doing so to see how you like it.




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[macduff]

toycept,
We're finalizing our machine this week and want to share some comments.

Which Dimension 3-D printer are you getting? I know that there is 2 versions. One has the support structure that you manually break off (cost about 24,999). Two (SST) has the soluble support structure (cost about 34,999). There is a lot of extras that add up quick and drive the cost way up! The stand is 2,000, maintance Agreement 5,200 a year and some others.

Bottom line, do your homework and get benchmarking done on a few of YOUR parts. The vendor should do this for free, if he wants sell it. Plus it will be a big selling point to management when they have a copy of there product in there hands.

It a great machine for the money.

I hope this helps,

Macduff

 

[toycept]

Macduff,

thanks very much for the input.

I am looking at the lower end model, the one that sells at $24,999.... but the machine I am considering is used (the asking price is $14,000 and $3,000 for the maintenance agreement which was paid about 2 weeks ago)....the machine is a little over a year old.

the other issue is I am a one person operation.... I need to justify the expense to make sure the purchase makes sense, financialy.

It seems like a great machine.... I am just looking for other input from anyone who has some experience with the machine.

Thanks again.

John