As though I didn't try too many random things already I just had to get into the Maker Gig as well.
411; What is 3D printing?
3D printing is the latest of fun for us investors who aren't skilled with our hands. Using computer software and specially built or bought machine can take ideas from the mind to the code, to a physical object, only limited by one's skill with software and the size of the building space of the machine.
It's a hobby/field still in its early stages, that being said its much easier for an absolute amateur like myself to get into the game with only a bit of learning curve. Compared to at least when the whole process was rooted in actual code, building the printers from the ground up and then getting the two ideas to cooperate.
I spent a good time researching on the types of printing at the time, while there are several types of printing methods the two most common for a more hobbyist/home inventor are Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA). FDM uses "filaments" fed into a heating "head" that then melts the material and then with some gears extrudes a small portion out onto a bed. The mechanics are similar to a hot glue gun. A heated tip is fed material from above its tip, onto a surface as the liquid form cools back to the solid state it hardens and bonds. SLA uses a pool of liquid plastic that responds to lasers triggering the bonding on each layer. Cost/presence wise FDM is more common for that desktop variety even though SLA does give nicer first prints more often than not.
I went with FDM most out of availability and cost, materials are easier to find, and the machines themselves are relatively inexpensive depending on your route. Now that being said this was one time I didn't go with the cheapest option, I went for the most idiot friendly search since I knew I couldn't dedicate the time of serious Maker. As in building a machine, fix/modify the code for printing, the in-depth engineering/wiring. A person can build a basic 3D FDM for a few hundred dollars worth of parts, and key parts being top of the line.
After some digging and help of my more astute-half at consumer research shopper, I went with a Lulzbot Mini, with only a 6x6x6in build area its average, not the size for going too crazy building costume props quickly but is pretty normal for test parts. However, excellent reviews and more than a few You-Tube videos of out of the box functionality. There's also a good support community of makers and staff, that right mix for a lazy person like myself. There were other printers as equally tempting, and a tad less expensive, it just the one I liked the most. I'm by no means an expert on anything related to 3D printing but a quick browser search and you can find them trust me.
Alright, Crazy person what do you plan to do?
Why....WORLD DOMINATION!!!!!
More realistically I have on an invention in mind code name MGM, and several board game prototypes, I also know people who use D&D miniatures, you always get sudden friends when you have something useful for them, basic economics.
On the more personal end though I will share some of the game prototypes, to test out the interest.
Code Name T4; A variation on Tic Tac Toe, with a component of 3 dimensions, and one extra feature lending to a fourth T. Its been through two round of prototyping and with some more fixes and test I may see it can pass into a larger crowd. If you have tried the Excel version of 3D Tic Tac Toe, you'll have some idea how it can play out and how much of a madman I am! However, given how easy it is to do Tic Tac Toe, of most varieties T4 upon completion will likely find itself on Esty, but I may give it a go on Kickstarter or Indiego to test the waters.
Code Name DMR; This game was inspired but the late night musing of my brother and myself during our Cribbage Kick. The idea has progressed some but the basic concept of a race track system, zombies, and ability for zany half-stupor logic. The plan is a very customize the length of the game, unique playable characters, some zombie logic, and choose how to play feel. One option being with Cards much like Cribbage, just with some zany rules, to a less mathematical degree a couple of dice and a hope luck is on your side. I have schemes to expand themes of DMR beyond zombies, aliens, and mad science, and have each with their own rules, equipment and most dangerously the ability to join into one game. Aliens, Zombies, and Science have gone amuck, sounds like a B-plot movie. Which I hope to achieve, and maybe a support/selling to a more dedicated gaming group/company.
Code Name WCT; Inspiration from the college days, and yet another long night...I need to stop those. WCT is in essence drinking Jenga/falling towers/blocks etc. So why the code? Simple, codes are cool, everybody likes codes. Game-play itself will be similar to those half drunken nights, and you can take those favorite rules and bring them to WCT. As the blocks with have a customizable form, and the rule cues easily swapped out in a list of numerous cues. Ideally what will happen with this one is copyright the block design and then a small homepage business for the blocks making the tower and then easily share of the rest of the components on more of an open license. Don't fret though broke college peeps, the better part of WCT will be free, however, plastic cost green and I have a tight checkbook.
Upates: (TBD)
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