3D printing - any theatrical use?

[TomHoward]

Afternoon all

 

I am just wondering if anyone is utilising 3D printing to a useful degree within theatre / live event etc?

 

With the ever decreasing price they look increasingly tempting but I'm actually struggling to see what I might be able to print that might actually be of much use. Pieces for scenic models maybe - but our models tend to be digital anyway

Seems like the bed might be a bit small for a lot of props, and not really strong enough for clamps or anything

 

Anyone doing interesting things with one?

[the kid]

I think the larger scale printers , including the big makerbots and the big powder printers are used quite a bit in film for costume, I was reading that "the martian" had large chunks of the suit printed so I don't see why props could not be made.

 

If anything the problem is the 3d creation time and then the print time and finishing, I bet someone could source and make, in the same time as a full print process from design to ready.

[indyld]

Creation of scenic design model box elements direct from CAD data. Good for certain types of object, particularly favoured by those of us that hate fiddling with tiny slivers of mount board and glue. Not that this is my area, luckily.

 

Our students have made a start in using 3D printing in this way but there are limitations, obviously.

 

As above, can see a future in certain props too.

[paulears]

Slightly OT, but Andrewr - Andrew Rutter one of our older but not active for ages members stopped doing our thing - moved to California and now has loads of people working for him - making 3D printers - Type A Machines.

 

He built his first in the tech office during panto a few years ago, and drove everyone mad with it's constant noise - made out of random gear wheels and old plywood!

[J Pearce]

I've used a 3D printer for model box elements, we looked at using it for some hand props, but the machine we had access to couldn't produce a suitable finish and the material used wasn't great for further work.

[indyld]

I can imagine a situation where 3D printing might be a suitable shortcut in a casting process. Manufacturing already use CAM etc for things like lost wax casting etc. but maybe the small bespoke one offs in theatre could benefit from cheap printing.

[Stuart91]

A friend of mine is building bagpipe chanters using a 3D printing process, and seemingly to great acclaim. It had never occurred to me that this kind of application was a possibility, and apparently it's far superior to traditional methods.

 

I suspect there will more uses emerging as time goes on and the technology improves.

[Ynot]

I can imagine a situation where 3D printing might be a suitable shortcut in a casting process.

I first read this bit and thought YES!! At LAST an option to create better performers than some of the dunces even the pro stage is producing these days...

Then I realised it was the wrong SORT of casting........

:o

 

 

 

[dsharp7th]

In a programme about disruption and demise within the music industry, an interview snippet hinted at things to come as 3D printing takes hold - ie what the music industry has been through (file sharing, ineffective rights protection, collapse of associated industries, decimation of incomes due to new distribution models) is a taste of what global manufacturing will be dealing with in the not too distant future. Once the physical properties of 3D printed items are comparable with factory manufactured equivalents, the mind boggles.

 

Broken moving head? Post on blue room to see if anyone has the part file - download and print - job done! (I expect it will be a while before we trust the SWL on home printed bow shackles).

[Stuart91]

what the music industry has been through is a taste of what global manufacturing will be dealing with in the not too distant future.

 

Remember the "YOU WOULDN"T STEAL A CAR" trailers on DVDs? Pirating cars might actually be a possibility within our lifetimes.

 

I spotted some 3D printed accessories for drones on Amazon recently. They are fairly rudimental parts (landing gear, hoods and lens caps for the camera) but clearly 3D printing is competitive with the factory manufactured parts, and it also makes it easy for someone to come up with a neat idea for an accessory, and manufacture and sell it in very small quantities. This could destroy entire industries, but it will also lead to a burst in creativity too...

[themadhippy]

wait till they can 3d print with dna "inks",fancy a steak ,I’ll just print one off

[Andrew Edwards]

We will get the holosuite long before the replicator which is the far bigger threat! :P

[musht]

3D printing can be very impressive in nice materials, Shapeways eventual parent is Philips

 

http://www.shapeways.com

 

If you want to dip your toes in ,without buying a couple of grands worth of multi sided dice making gear ;-)3D Hub puts people with models in touch with people with printers, lot of UK printers looking for projects:

 

https://www.3dhubs.com

 

CNC is more practical for a lot of things, sub it out

 

https://www.fabhub.io

[cedd]

I used 3d hubs to print the trigger mechanism on my trick crossbow for Addams Family. Sliding bolt and catch made out of PLA - very reasonably priced and came from a local guy a day later. For the stuff that you can't fashion easily yourself, it's very attractive. I think I'll be printing a fair bit of stuff for my Betty Blue Eyes animatronic pretty soon!