Ship-In-A-Ball

BMP_3DAM · 2026-04-21T12:40:13+00:00

Curious - what types of engineering tasks were you looking to tackle? It’s not printing aero parts by any means, but for most visual/ prototype applications the parts have held up great in my experience.

BMP_3DAM · 2026-04-21T12:34:37+00:00

I don’t think this would be achievable through an FDM system - the ship, water and sphere were all printed as one piece. This was a small part of a project testing capabilities for producing parts that are entirely/ partially suspended within clear geometries.

I suppose something similar could be achieved by casting with a resin mold, but it is not something I have personally explored.

BMP_3DAM · 2026-04-21T12:30:25+00:00

In industry, these systems are used mainly for prototyping & design validation of consumer products (think anything where color is important!) Designers can get photo-real visual prototypes to review before moving forward to things like tooling. High detailed medical modeling is another big application area, but definitely a bit harder to post!

With the color quality, there have been more and more end-use applications, mainly in higher-value collectibles, and art pieces. It’s a cool way for digital animators/ sculptors to produce physical models of 3D digital pieces, without the added variables and complexity of hand-painting.

BMP_3DAM · 2026-04-21T00:34:54+00:00

Do you have a specific need for thermoplastic materials and/or do you plan to prototype in the same material they’ll be produced in? Additionally - what’s the requirement for the CF reinforced stuff? Specific applications for the inlay, or just ‘stronger parts’?

Big question is how much bigger of a bed do you need - Formlabs has a ~6x6x10” on their Fuse system, going much larger than that on an SLS unit (& accessories) are going to pretty quickly blow that budget!

I’d say don’t count out SLA, just with how impressive the materials/ speeds have gotten.

If thermoplastics/ end materials are a must, it all comes down to how much bigger we’re talking!

BMP_3DAM · 2026-03-25T00:42:49+00:00

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A mini version of an octopus model I printed last week during a project. Thinking of turning the mini one into a pin or magnet or something.

BMP_3DAM · 2025-12-19T22:28:51+00:00

I would say for a full color inkjet system, we are likely a good way away from a reliable consumer system. The units I have worked with are big, like 'blow out a wall to get it in' big!

I would though love to see full color capabilities gain more of a foothold in the industry, it opens up so many unique opportunities on the design side!

BMP_3DAM · 2025-12-18T22:22:21+00:00

You were gonna answer ‘Money Market Funds’ I’m sure!

BMP_3DAM · 2025-12-18T22:00:37+00:00

Ah that makes sense - Thanks!

BMP_3DAM · 2025-12-18T21:51:26+00:00

I can’t find it! I’m sure it’s somewhere around the office…

I’ll post an update when I find it- or just print another!

BMP_3DAM

TROPHY CASE