3D Printing / Rapid Prototyping Suggestions

[Ocelot]

Hey guys,

I've been using a local rapid prototyping company to print parts for my robot projects. However, their prices are a bit steep and the printing material they use is not very durable. I'd like to find a company that will print small parts in ABS cheaply.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Brian

[lbsa.drexel]

Hi Brian,

How steep is too steep? 

Did a quick search online and came up with a few possibilities for rapid prototyping companies.  I saw that ABS is one material option for all of them, but I didn't get a chance to do any pricing.

http://www.alphaprototypes.com/default.aspx
http://www.shapeways.com/
http://www.quickparts.com/Home.aspx

There's another one that I remember finding a few months ago.  A small family company that seemed to have very decent pricing.  I'll repost when I find it.

Good luck,
Anthony

[Asellith]

Ponoko.com does some 3d stuff now as well as laser cutting. I have not used their 3d service but I run a business on their laser cutting service and the only problem I have is steep shipping charges but I setup a prime account and get lower cutting cost and free shipping on orders over $100.

[JGonier]

Here is a good place to try for both design work and FDM Rapid Prototyping all in one place.

www.genesistek.us  for design needs.

www.soliddesignsllc.com  for FDM Rapid Prototyping needs.

Both companies owned by same person. All FDM's done in high grade ABS.

[Admin]

I use Xardas, which does parts on the Dimension SST 1200.
http://www.mcneilco.com/xardas/Home.html

All places will be a bit expensive, though.

There are different types of materials you can use, some meant for high detail, some meant to be really hard (but crack easily), and some meant to flex without breaking. I use the latter for functional parts. It also depends a lot of the actual prototyping machine and process. I've tried several, and the SST is my favorite for now.

With Xardas, say you want the color 'natural'. The prettier colors are all the hard types that crack too often.