[gentoo-user] Re: 3D printers && Gentoo

[James <wireless@tampabay.rr.com>]

Jean-Christophe Bach <jc.bach <at> gmail.com> writes:

> Of course, all these software are working without any problem on
> Gentoo. 
> JC

> [1]  http://www.nybi.cc (in Frenchi :\ )
> [2]  http://www.reprap.org
> [3]  http://www.thingiverse.com
> [4]  http://www.thingiverse.com/watsdesign/designs
> [5]  http://reprap.org/wiki/FoldaRap
> [6]  http://www.ulule.com/foldarap/ (first batch)
> [7]  http://goteo.org/project/foldarap-peer-to-peer-edition (2nd batch)
> [8]  http://www.reprappro.com
> [9]  http://github.com/kliment/Printrun
> [10] http://slic3r.org



Hello Jean-Christophe

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I read overviews of how
folks are (3D) printing with metals, but find few details.

I have some ideas on larger things to build, but in a 50-100
components sizes that fit together. 

 I what to build a series of modules using a 3D printer that fit together
with the lamiated beams to realize the a pickup-camper shell. I found
super-strong, light weight composites that can be laminated for
the structural beams, in lieu of metal. I'll have to design
and model thing, but I have used Autocad and ProE so no worries
on using Blender for the modelling....

So my real need is to find some resources (folks) that know about
the myriad of different feedstock material you can use in a 3D printer
and the resulting strengths. Platics, Polymers and such are
are not my area of expertise, but I do have a petrochemical degree
and some chemical process (refinery) experience. 

How do you find out about which 3D printers handle which matierals?
Is it difficult to build a modified 3D printer to handle customized
feedstock materials? 

James