Any one have a 3D printer? Cool reef idea.
- Thread starter seamus2050
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BigRedSquid
Active Member
What's your idea. I don't have one but I can probably use one
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Might want to try using a store like this to print your idea out.
Services | The 3D Printing Store
Services | The 3D Printing Store
spurtee
New Member
So, what's your idea?
I have a 3d printer AND I need to make some money.
BUT, I am not a reef guy. Saw your message and joined just so I could respond to you.
Hope to hear more from you.
Steve
seamus2050
Active Member
Two ideas.
First, is what I am calling the Mag frag or Frag Stick. This would basically be a straight rod shape that is 1 1/2" inches long. One end would flare to a cup where an epoxy coated magnet would be inserted. The other end would have a 1/2" hole thru it. The hole is where the frag plug can be inserted. A second magnet will the be used to secure the mag frag to the glass (thru). This is the base idea for this item. A snap together tree could be created to allow countless configurations. I did some basic cost calculations to produce this item with a 3D printer. I know this is not a revolutionary idea, just a twist.
Second, is a snap together Aqua scape (the rock people put in their tanks to make it look like an ocean floor). This idea is more in depth and would entail scanning actual pieces of Tonga then piecing the scans together to make a large scape. This would reduce shipping costs and is environmentally friendly to the reefs. Hard to get my vision into words.
Also have ideas on overflows, intake screens and frag racks.
Let me know if you like the ideas or would like me to expand on them. If any one goes with these ideas, I would love to be a product tester.
Jason
First, is what I am calling the Mag frag or Frag Stick. This would basically be a straight rod shape that is 1 1/2" inches long. One end would flare to a cup where an epoxy coated magnet would be inserted. The other end would have a 1/2" hole thru it. The hole is where the frag plug can be inserted. A second magnet will the be used to secure the mag frag to the glass (thru). This is the base idea for this item. A snap together tree could be created to allow countless configurations. I did some basic cost calculations to produce this item with a 3D printer. I know this is not a revolutionary idea, just a twist.
Second, is a snap together Aqua scape (the rock people put in their tanks to make it look like an ocean floor). This idea is more in depth and would entail scanning actual pieces of Tonga then piecing the scans together to make a large scape. This would reduce shipping costs and is environmentally friendly to the reefs. Hard to get my vision into words.
Also have ideas on overflows, intake screens and frag racks.
Let me know if you like the ideas or would like me to expand on them. If any one goes with these ideas, I would love to be a product tester.
Jason
I do, and I blog about it: Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
What's up?
Shane
advancedaquarist.com
seamus2050
Active Member
Another idea is for a 3-4 piece wall scape that would snap together and be held in place with magnets. This would allow the aquarist the ability to change or add to their scape by moving the magnetic pieces. Also have ideas on how flow channels can then be incorporated into the different scape's.
Is their any studies to see how these rare earth magnetic fields effect the reef inhabitants?
Is their any studies to see how these rare earth magnetic fields effect the reef inhabitants?
GHill762
Valuable Member
I do, and I blog about it: Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
What's up?
Shane
advancedaquarist.com
I've seen most of those articles, but there were some I hadn't yet seen. very cool stuff. that octopus sub was awesome..
seamus2050
Active Member
I see my ideas are not as unique as hoped. They do differ but conceptually as similar to some of your blogs. If you feel that any are original or would actual add to the discussion let me know and I will expand on that idea.
Tradewinds
Active Member
I do, and I blog about it: Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
What's up?
Shane
advancedaquarist.com
That is some very cool stuff!
liquid
New Member
You've got some interesting ideas there. 
One of the first things I designed were frag plugs and learned pretty quickly that it's a commodity market. Quite a number of people have their own versions out there - enough so that you will have to come out with a very unique idea before people will flock to your product. There's just too many to choose from; check Ebay to see. 
3D printing actual rock work most likely will cost more per pound than the actual rock would if you sourced liverock or dead rock. 3D printer filament costs ~$20/lb.
FWIW I'm not trying to dissuade you from your ideas as I think they're good. The trick is finding an itch that isn't being scratched with current products.
What are your other ideas?
Shane
One of the first things I designed were frag plugs and learned pretty quickly that it's a commodity market. Quite a number of people have their own versions out there - enough so that you will have to come out with a very unique idea before people will flock to your product. There's just too many to choose from; check Ebay to see. 3D printing actual rock work most likely will cost more per pound than the actual rock would if you sourced liverock or dead rock.
3D printer filament costs ~$20/lb.FWIW I'm not trying to dissuade you from your ideas as I think they're good. The trick is finding an itch that isn't being scratched with current products.
What are your other ideas?
Shane
seamus2050
Active Member
These are just idea's running in my head. Don't have the money or anything beyond basic knowledge of how 3d printing works. If any of my ideas were good, I wanted to pass it to someone who has the know how to make it.
cdness
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Local to me: Custom 3D Printing Services | MELD Workshop
They are a membership based system where you can get in and use the equipment for a membership fee. Really kinda cool concept and a great way to get into the market with these things.
We have the same concept with a woodshop where someone got all the tools and rents out the space on a per-month fee. This allows those who want to do projects, but cannot afford the machines to get in and work with them for a nominal fee. Kinda like a community workshop...
They are a membership based system where you can get in and use the equipment for a membership fee. Really kinda cool concept and a great way to get into the market with these things.
We have the same concept with a woodshop where someone got all the tools and rents out the space on a per-month fee. This allows those who want to do projects, but cannot afford the machines to get in and work with them for a nominal fee. Kinda like a community workshop...
seamus2050
Active Member
On large base pieces my idea was to have a screw in cap with gasket. You fill the void with sand and cap it, should take care of flotation issues. I also thought that gluing the main pieces together was the way to go. You could have additional pieces with magnets in them to allow for quick and small modifications while in tank. This would also allow for infinite configurations and the ability to change the scape to accommodate new coral additions.
