Author Topic: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?  (Read 6958 times)

wolfspider

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I am thinking of getting a 3d printer and use it to print up terrain pieces for my battletech and Alpha Strike games but before I spend the money I wanted feedback from anyone that has tried to use a 3d printer to print 6mm buildings. 
I may have a low amount of posts but I have a PHD in Battletech and mechs older then most people on this board!

NeonKnight

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #1 on: 25 June 2016, 11:10:48 »
Not yet, but I Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wanted to buy a 3D printer for just this purpose.

To save on 'Ink' my plane was to print walls flat, and then glue together, similar to how Game Craft Miniatures does it's laser cut MDF and Acrylic buildings
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Ratboy

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #2 on: 25 June 2016, 14:21:23 »
If you are buying Fused deposition modeling style printer (cheapest for hobbiest), you are going to find that the resolution it prints at will be too low for detail in general. The pieces it will produce are not finished, they will need sanding, puttying and other touchup.


To get good detail and smooth surfaces, you are going to want a Stereolithography or Digital Light Processing style printer.


Some reading material:
http://3dprintingfromscratch.com/common/types-of-3d-printers-or-3d-printing-technologies-overview/
http://hubpages.com/technology/The-Many-Uses-of-3D-Printers
« Last Edit: 25 June 2016, 14:25:39 by Ratboy »
Jim Williamson - CDT Agent #206
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agen2

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #3 on: 25 June 2016, 16:20:06 »
How much is  the average cost of a 3d printer?

Ratboy

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #4 on: 25 June 2016, 23:07:37 »
You can get an FDM printer for $300-$1000, and the DLP printers are $3500-$7000.
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wolfspider

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #5 on: 26 June 2016, 09:05:42 »
Thanks Ratboy for the link, looks like I have some reading to do!
I may have a low amount of posts but I have a PHD in Battletech and mechs older then most people on this board!

Ratboy

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Jim Williamson - CDT Agent #206
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GarageBay9

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Kret69

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #8 on: 30 June 2016, 03:48:00 »
Unless You are going to produce hexes on which the print pattern can be visible or easy to remove, do not bother. You would need a high-end printer to print out details in that scale.

I had one thing done for me: http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=33342.msg922352#msg922352

Can't afford too much of them sadly.

mcgaffin

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #9 on: 17 September 2016, 10:16:06 »
I have a 3d printer and I am just starting into battletech.  I am looking for inspiration for buildings and other terrain.  If you have any ideas let me know. 


Colt Ward

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #10 on: 18 September 2016, 09:02:00 »
You might look at Shapeways then, they have items in scale and some great stuff.  You would just have to speak to the file's author.
Colt Ward
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mcgaffin

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #11 on: 18 September 2016, 19:10:10 »
Does shapeways sell the files or only the objects?

Colt Ward

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #12 on: 19 September 2016, 15:55:02 »
They sell the objects, but as I understand it the files belong to whoever crafted them.  So you can find something you like and then send a e-mail to the creator.
Colt Ward
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I am Belch II

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #13 on: 22 September 2016, 06:11:01 »
I want to get a 3D printer, the cost is just a little to high right now. Even saw a nice 3D scanner.
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HeavyGun

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #14 on: 25 October 2016, 23:54:56 »
For those investing in the low end 3D printers. I hope you have a lot of finishing experience especially if your wanting a nice looking piece at the end and also have some expertise on repairing the machine as they often do not work correctly. Finishing 3D printed parts is what I do for a living. Not saying don't buy it just saying be prepared. Here is a piece I did for a customer. It took nearly 60 hours to get to this point using a high end 3D printer and finishing. 10 Different pieces make up the entire ship. It will be being displayed from what I hear in New York at some Con and then be going into a museum not sure. We did not do the final paint on it as customer was having it sent somewhere to have decals put on it. Well good luck and have fun.

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jdk201

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Mwenski

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Re: Has anyone used a 3D printer to print Battletech terrain?
« Reply #16 on: 15 March 2017, 14:04:37 »
My coworker was looking at this printer https://wanhaousa.com/products/duplicator-i3-steel-frame
Does this have the same issues you are talking about, Heavygun?

 

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