3D printers.. Anyone play with them ?

[pbh4]

Any suggestions on what to check out?

This is probably not what you are looking for but I use a program called openscad http://www.openscad.org/index.html to design my models. The model is described in code using set-theory like operators to add, subtract, and join simple shapes. I personally much prefer this approach to more visual programs. It is also free.

Paul

[globallockytoo]

many here are familiar with Dremel.

They just recently released their 3D printer....see https://3dprinter.dremel.com/

[ggpaintballer]

Sketchup is a nice simple 3d modeling software. I used it in the beginning and think it's pretty good. There are also a bunch of other free option floating around the community, some of them web based. The best paid app is solidworks, but that's probably over your budget.

[Tighran]

openscad http://www.openscad.org/index.html to design my models. The model is described in code using set-theory like operators to add, subtract, and join simple shapes. I personally much prefer this approach to more visual programs. It is also free.

That actually looks quite a bit like PovRay, which is a 3d rendering/raytracing program renders stuff from a text file and defining the various attributes and dimensions of the scene. I'll check that out, as it seems pretty neat and I kind of like that challenge. Thanks!
I'll keep looking though, and see how I like FreeCAD and so forth. I'm still open for suggestions though!

[blue60]

I don't know how I missed this thread
I have been working with plastic 3D printers for almost a decade
I can see a use for them, but more for developing tools then having one in you're truck to make parts onsite.
I have use them to make Drill templates sometimes (it happened once)
but plug followers and pin trays are the most common locksmithing things I have made.

[dll932]

Good One Globallockytoo, yeah I bet you'll sell a truckload of plastic colored kick plates & I can't wait to see how many times you can insert a key into a cam lock with thin plastic wafers-ditto with plastic pin tumblers.
Let's not forget all the high quality plastic cylinders and tailpieces. Of course we could just skip on using plastic parts and not have endless callbacks for warranty service--Yes, that's what I'm gonna do.

There are a number of parts in locks that are made of Delrin or ABS. I just had to modify a Detex door alarm a couple days ago that had several nylon parts in it. For years Fiat (and Ferrari, who they owned) used door locks made of plastic. Positioning tools and jigs/fixtures are good candidates for 3D printing and I have used some in my last job as a machinist. Some 3D printers are convertible into 3D mills you could work metal with, too.

[billdeserthills]

Good One Globallockytoo, yeah I bet you'll sell a truckload of plastic colored kick plates & I can't wait to see how many times you can insert a key into a cam lock with thin plastic wafers-ditto with plastic pin tumblers.
Let's not forget all the high quality plastic cylinders and tailpieces. Of course we could just skip on using plastic parts and not have endless callbacks for warranty service--Yes, that's what I'm gonna do.

There are a number of parts in locks that are made of Delrin or ABS. I just had to modify a Detex door alarm a couple days ago that had several nylon parts in it. For years Fiat (and Ferrari, who they owned) used door locks made of plastic. Positioning tools and jigs/fixtures are good candidates for 3D printing and I have used some in my last job as a machinist. Some 3D printers are convertible into 3D mills you could work metal with, too.

Just because manufacturers desperate for a bonus, find ways to cheapen their product-- doesn't make it right

[dll932]

Good One Globallockytoo, yeah I bet you'll sell a truckload of plastic colored kick plates & I can't wait to see how many times you can insert a key into a cam lock with thin plastic wafers-ditto with plastic pin tumblers.
Let's not forget all the high quality plastic cylinders and tailpieces. Of course we could just skip on using plastic parts and not have endless callbacks for warranty service--Yes, that's what I'm gonna do.

There are a number of parts in locks that are made of Delrin or ABS. I just had to modify a Detex door alarm a couple days ago that had several nylon parts in it. For years Fiat (and Ferrari, who they owned) used door locks made of plastic. Positioning tools and jigs/fixtures are good candidates for 3D printing and I have used some in my last job as a machinist. Some 3D printers are convertible into 3D mills you could work metal with, too.

Just because manufacturers desperate for a bonus, find ways to cheapen their product-- doesn't make it right

I agree, but some lock parts made of nylon, delrin or abs are perfectly fine. The switch actuators in Detex EAX-500 alarms are plastic and I've never seen one break. OTOH, some years ago I saw a Baldwin knob latch fail because the retractor (made of diecast metal) cracked. If they'd made it from stamped steel like everyone else that wouldn't have happened...and I doubt it was cheaper to make that way.

[l0ckcr4ck3r]

A little off topic but i posted about this a few weeks ago on the other site.. just gathering components together and getting some CAD drawings done. You'll get the idea from this photo. It will use the electronics, firmware and motors from a RepRap 3D printer.

Hoping that people will be able to 3D print the required hardware pieces and buy everything else online, wherever they are in the world! looking like sub $400 for an Open Source Code cutter, with a conversational touchscreen interface... all you need is a duplicator to start with. Maybe a few weeks before its ready for a demo.

[handcuffsdude]

Some of the things I've played with with 3D printers:

- Copying regular + high-security keys (hand-made 3D models of blanks then 'code-cut' them
- Printing pinning trays
- Printing plug followers
- Printing lock holders (KIK/Ovals etc)

Also played with 3D scanning of high-security/high-detail keys using a very expensive 'dental' scanner, results were... less than perfect, tried on a abloy protec 2, medco, bi-lock and some variety of kaba dimple lock.

If anyone is super interested, I can upload some photos of what we've done, will have to be in a few weeks though as I'm about to head overseas!

[handcuffsdude]

Sorry, forgot to add (and can't seem to edit?) that the keys we've printed (DC1M, Bi-lock, various lockwoods) have all held up fantastically and been possible to use repeatedly without breaking.

The other thing, if you print plug followers, make sure you acetone polish them and they go in 100x smoother than the rough finish straight from a printer.