http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/3d-printers-for-microsocpy-tp7585214p7585223.html
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>
> As an FYI, in response to an inquiry to Makerbot, they are very much in
> business still.
>
> On Tue, May 24, 2016 at 11:18 AM, Vladimir Ghukasyan <
>
[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
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http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Hi Aryeh,
> >
> > You have an option to go to filament extruder printers or
> stereolithography
> > printers. First group as you probably already know, melt a thermoplastic
> > filament and extrudes it in a particular layout. In stereolithography a
> > laser is polymerizing a curable resin. We tried the Makerbot Replicator 2
> > for the filament printers (FDM). It was ok, but wasn't easy to handle.
> This
> > is a high-maintenance printer and tends to break a lot. You need to
> figure
> > out the settings for different details, so we have got many bad
> prototypes
> > with it. Makerbot is now out of business - they stopped manufacturing 3D
> > printers. We recently bought a Form2 SLA printer and are very happy with
> > it. It provides with a high-resolution nice finish details and you get to
> > vary the mechanical properties with the resin - Formlabs, the
> manufacturers
> > of Form2 offer a variety of different formulations - Tough resin with
> good
> > tensile strength, Flexible resin for squishy parts, a range of standard
> > plastics, and a Dental resin - a biocompatible one. A disadvantage here
> is
> > that cured resin tends to change mechanical properties and become
> brittle.
> > This, however, is what theory says and we have not seen this as of yet
> > (this will probably affect the parts over the course of years). Another
> > consideration is the cost of the resins - you will need to spend ~$150/l
> of
> > resin. To give you an example, we printed a model of fly brain with the
> > size of approx. 3''x2''. That model consumed 90ml. So for big parts -
> this
> > is not practical. For smaller parts or parts that require high precision
> I
> > would trust the SLA more. The cost is reasonable ($3400) and the customer
> > service is good.
> >
> > If you want to choose an FDM printer, please consider a review made by
> the
> > Make magazine. We found the ratings they do pretty reliable and
> thoroughly
> > made (
http://makezine.com/comparison/3dprinters/). According to their
> > review, LulzBot is very good along with the Zortrax. A Maker facility
> here
> > on campus has bought LulzBot and was very happy with it - it appeared to
> be
> > very reliable. The printer that Alexander mentioned is very tempting, but
> > is much more costly.
> >
> > Good luck with your printing.
> > Vladimir
> >
> >
> > On Tue, May 24, 2016 at 9:38 AM, Alexander Cramer <
[hidden email]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > *****
> > > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > >
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy> > > Post images on
http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> > posting.
> > > *****
> > >
> > > Greetings Aryeh,
> > >
> > > We employ two different types of 3D printers for creating parts and 3D
> > > models at
> > > the University Imaging Centers at the University of Minnesota.
> > >
> > > We have a couple a MakerBot Replicators for simple parts that have
> worked
> > > relatively will for our users needs and our own, but we've also very
> > > recently added
> > > a MarkForge II (
https://markforged.com) for stronger parts.
> > >
> > > It prints using Nylon as it's base material but then has a second
> > extruder
> > > that adds
> > > a fiber filament such as Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, or Fiber Glass for added
> > > part
> > > strength.
> > >
> > > You do have the option to just print in Nylon too which is quite useful
> > > even without
> > > fiber reinforcement.
> > >
> > > Both printers are pretty affordable which was a key point for our core
> > > since we
> > > have just entered the world of 3D printing.
> > >
> > > Word to the wise if you do purchase a MakerBot of any model- Make sure
> it
> > > has the
> > > new Smart Extruder +. Any of the older models are woefully inadequate
> and
> > > will
> > > give you nothing but headaches.
> > >
> > > If you have any questions just let me know, happy to answer what I can.
> > >
> > > Alex
> > >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Best,
>
> Gary Laevsky, Ph.D.
> Director, Confocal Imaging Facility
> Nikon Center of Excellence
> Dept. of Molecular Biology
> Washington Rd.
> Princeton University
> Princeton, New Jersey, 08544-1014
> (O) 609 258 5432
> (C) 508 507 1310
>