Really Nice 3D Printed Tricopter - From CAD To Reality

Read more and see photos via the source link.

NOTE: The STL files are available for download via the source link.

Source:
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/3d-printed-tricopter-from-cad-to-reality

 

WOW!!!! I want one! That is really cool. Props to that guy . . no pun intended . .
-Derek, Next Level RC

 

Did you know you can download the STL files for that model? That means you can download the files, email them to a online 3D printing service like Shapeways (http://www.shapeways.com/) and have them print it for you? It might be fun just to ask them what they would charge to print one up.

EDIT: I found a very cool service to get some estimates for 3D printing parts called 3D Printing Price Check here: http://3dprintingpricecheck.com/. I downloaded the main tricopter body part from the link in the original post and uploaded it to the service. The results are quite interesting indeed. There are a wide variety of prices and materials in the results.

 

If you're going to do that, I'd be sure to send it to a place with a Stratasys DFM printer. The structural design was done specifically for the characteristics of their process. If you print it on the vast majority of printers (including all hobby printers), the results are going to be junk. The Stratasys printer uses $5 per cubic inch material plus some amount of support material (same price), plus whatever profit they want to add so it's going to be an expensive proposition. I'd be really interested to know what that Price Check place quotes if you do that.

...Tiger

 

Tiger - You should check out http://3dprintingpricecheck.com/ . I uploaded the STL for the main body and got a HUGE list of 3D printing services and price quotes. Each of the estimates tells what material was used for the quote (but you can also opt for everything from flexible material, nylon, ABS to ceramic and metal) and each estimate also tells you the machine type. Great website to get cost figures. Some surprisingly inexpensive.

 

The files from the original link are saved at Shapeways so I am downloading them all and uploading them back into my new Shapeways account. I think this way I will get a exact estimate.

 

I'll have to check that site out. So what kind of price did you get for ABS?

...Tiger

 

Tiger - Earlier you called the machine and process specified for this model "Stratasys DFM" but maybe you meant FDM, Fused Deposition Modeling, I have not been able to find a DFM process.

Shapeways is a little tricky on their material types. The price I got for their "White Strong and Flexible" material was $152.35 for the main body part. You can look here for descriptions of the materials they can do: http://www.shapeways.com/materials
Shapeways can do some pretty cool materials, even ceramic and metals. How about a stainless steel version?

The best price I could find so far was this one from Make XYZ (http://www.makexyz.com/):

It seems like that is pretty darn cheap. I am contacting them to see if this is accurate.

 

Oops... Got a couple letters transposed. You should specify the Stratasys 1200 for your quote so you get the right material. The Dimension 1200 is the machine I have. It's basically what the guy used for his tricopter except his model had a smaller work envelope (8"x8"). The 1200es has a little larger work envelope.

...Tiger

 

I think if the $26.94 price is correct I may get one of these printed.

 

Here is a little about FDM technology: http://www.stratasys.com/3d-printers/technology/fdm-technology If you're talking about printing the main body part, I sure don't see how they can do it for $26 on a Stratasys. I'll be really interested in seeing that if you do it.

...Tiger

 

I have send the STL file to the $26 quote company. I'll let you know what I hear back from them.