Brain gear machine

This device was printed out using a 3D printer. No assembly required!

• Category

  Science & Technology

[stonethorns]

Ok, to everyone claiming that you can build or buy this printer (or any rapid prototyping device, for that matter) for anywhere from $200 to $15000; I bought one and ran a RP company for over a year. It was well over $15k - closer to $60k after delivery, as a matter of fact. Additionally, this is a professional, industrial device that prints with incredible precision and 24-bit color gradients. Every RP device has intended uses, and additionally I offer that you get what you pay for. Thanks!

[ZechsMerquise73]

I'd say the regular commercial printers of this size go for around the 9-15k range. And even if someone built a similar machine that spreads the material and injects superglue, you'd still need to have the 3d scanning and interpretation to the printer. I'm sure that would take some masterful coding to up with from scratch. Even to integrate an existing 3D scanning and imaging program would be a huge chore, I would imagine.

[stonethorns]

You may say that, but you'd be wrong. You cannot derive the size of the printer from the object I demo in this video. Yes, those are my hands, and that is my printer.

Additionally, this is not a materials deposition printer (it doesn't "spread material" or "inject superglue"). It is an additive process, but it's not what you're thinking. Check out zcorp.com if you want to know more.

[ZechsMerquise73]

All the printers from Zcorp I've seen use a poly vinyl carbonate powder with a printer-head that a printer head to injects a hardening agent (IE, superglue) into the material. The formed object sinks lower into the material, a second head sweeps the surface layer to smooth or spread the material. Yes, I knew what type of printer you were using, because this style of braingear is what they use to demo their printers.

[stonethorns]

You're mistaken. The print heads spray, inkjet-style, a light bonding agent that basically keeps the product from disintegrating instantly. I believe the "superglue" you refer to is cyanoacrylate, which is used to finish the object and grant it amazing durability. However, that's done by hand after curing.

This particular printer is quite large and able to print objects of theoretically boundless size. ZCorp does offer lesser printers with fewer features and lower costs.

[The Cheaterman]

The resolution is insane. I don't get it how the pieces can be independent from each other while the printer is layering the material.

[Kvassing]

It's so nice that someone actually filmed this and put it on the web!

[leevi lehtovaara]

LOL!



[American556]

Look at the gears on the sides hanging over the edge. How does the machine start those as there is nothing to layer onto but thin air

[Siva Praneeth]

May I know how did you manage the rotation of the gears without assembling them?

I mean if its an additive process, how can there be enough clearance for the gear to rotate. Pardon me if my question is noobish, I am aware of only RepRap type and Laser type 3d printers in which the printing takes place layer by layer with the help of plastic resin.

[HerpDerpityDude2]

I saw this thing made by the 3-D printer at VENThaven 2011 when jeff dunham was giving a lecture on printing puppets :P

[logdog1717]

Was this made at Johnson Controls in Holland, MI?

[João Pedro Badan]

So...

[flicebaby]

And here a year later... Cubify is selling a 3D printer for 5x5x5 inch prints for 1200 dollars :)

[TheHeavyduty80]

SUCH LONG COMMENTS OMG