|
|
Post by docmac88 on Feb 28, 2015 20:21:08 GMT -8
parts hard to find? ( ie the inner bezel to my Nav timer) new dials? cases? complete watches? mods? I have read that the resolution of most reasonably available 3D printers is not ready for the fine details of watch work, but it shouldn't be very long. Would like to hear your thoughts regarding the future of repairs, modification etc
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 2:39:38 GMT -8
Adrian aka hal0eight is the guy to ask about 3D printing. Adrian does all the replica movement holders using a 3D printer.
|
|
Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 5,327 
|
Post by Adrian-VTA on Mar 1, 2015 18:02:43 GMT -8
Geday, The real limiting factor with current desktop printing is pretty much how accurately and fast you can squeeze out a molten thermoplastic extrusion. About the finest work you can do presently on these kind of machines are these 1/200 scale tanks -  Anything much smaller than that generally comes out pretty crappy. A limiting factor is the size of the tip. I generally don't use anything lower than 0.40mm. There is one job for some very small servo gears where I use a 0.25mm tip. In most cases it isn't practical though. I've done some movement spacers (watch this space for a plastic version of the hard to find 6139 spacer) before -  This worked really well. A lot of development is going towards the "how big can you make it" rather than "how small" because there is a lot more money in making houses and aircraft parts with these machines rather than small, specialised parts. That said, I think in the desktop space, the technology to watch out for is "DLP", or direct light processing (The Form1 and LittleRP machines). There are some first gen machines out there now. I want one but at present don't have a compelling business case/ROI proposition. As for resolution on these machines, it's still not there. I've seen some very impressive demo pieces that you can fit on a dime, but I'm not so sure how it will handle some of the pieces we want (the inner rotating rings etc). So until I can see them being able to do that kind of detail and just not comic figure heads and stuff, I won't invest. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 18:10:21 GMT -8
Geday, The real limiting factor with current desktop printing is pretty much how accurately and fast you can squeeze out a molten thermoplastic extrusion. About the finest work you can do presently on these kind of machines are these 1/200 scale tanks - Anything much smaller than that generally comes out pretty crappy. A limiting factor is the size of the tip. I generally don't use anything lower than 0.40mm. There is one job for some very small servo gears where I use a 0.25mm tip. In most cases it isn't practical though. I've done some movement spacers (watch this space for a plastic version of the hard to find 6139 spacer) before - This worked really well. A lot of development is going towards the "how big can you make it" rather than "how small" because there is a lot more money in making houses and aircraft parts with these machines rather than small, specialised parts. That said, I think in the desktop space, the technology to watch out for is "DLP", or direct light processing (The Form1 and LittleRP machines). There are some first gen machines out there now. I want one but at present don't have a compelling business case/ROI proposition. As for resolution on these machines, it's still not there. I've seen some very impressive demo pieces that you can fit on a dime, but I'm not so sure how it will handle some of the pieces we want (the inner rotating rings etc). So until I can see them being able to do that kind of detail and just not comic figure heads and stuff, I won't invest. I don't know about the costs bu there are 3D printers being used to print batteries into microprocessor sized pieces. Surely it is only a matter of time before the 'replicator' of Star Trek fame is a reality! |
|
Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 5,327
|
Post by Adrian-VTA on Mar 1, 2015 18:17:49 GMT -8
Just adding an appendix to this because I always forget about SLS (selective laser sintering) This is the predominant technology in everything you see 3D printed out of metal. Basically they start with a bath of metal powder and fuse it together with precision laser beams. There's a bunch of videos of this in action. To get the kind of finish we want for watches though, this will require secondary machining processes and finishing as the "out of the machine" finish is quite rough. Most I've seen personally look like this without secondary finishing -  Another addendum to this, on our "to-do" list is to offer a "My first watchmaking kit" to school kids where they can customise their own case and bracelet, then make them on the 3D printer, and wear them. Something along the lines of this - 3dprint.com/43283/paul-kweton-designs/It's a long way from cool watches, but it follows the design/make/appraise cycle which the curriculum here really tries to promote and gets kids hooked on watches early, which is exactly what we want! |
|
cd_god
Is a Permanent Fixture
Finna set up a HOOD next door to your richie phuk suburban mansion
Posts: 12,275
|
Post by cd_god on Mar 1, 2015 19:22:11 GMT -8
I think if someone had access to a commercial grade 3D printer (hint hint  ) they could make a killing making repop quick set date rocker gears for the 5246 movement. |
|
|
|
Post by docmac88 on Mar 1, 2015 19:55:50 GMT -8
I am new to the forum and to each of you but I have been able to extract at least a little of the personality of many you. I am not so sure I don't really enjoy getting to know you all even more than learning about watches. Haloeight would you mind telling me how you have come to be involved in this 3d printing?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 20:27:35 GMT -8
I think if someone had access to a commercial grade 3D printer (hint hint ) they could make a killing making repop quick set date rocker gears for the 5246 movement. Josh, considering how many of these watches have broken date rocker gears; I'm thinking you are right on the money. Could be a nice little side business for someone with a 3D printer 7dfe79adc2f0 |
|
Adrian-VTA
Global Moderator
Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 5,327
|
Post by Adrian-VTA on Mar 1, 2015 21:43:59 GMT -8
Actually, I do, but they still don't have the resolution required to do this part. The project we are working on at SCWF is getting a bit of traction. I've suggested we photo etch the part, which will have no issues doing that size. I think if someone had access to a commercial grade 3D printer (hint hint ) they could make a killing making repop quick set date rocker gears for the 5246 movement. |
|
) they could make a killing making repop quick set date rocker gears for the 5246 movement.
