3d taking off ?

[bigj2552]

do you think 3d sub printing will ever be popular as the traditional/standard way of subbing ?

will you be considering buying 3d printer/vacuum in the near future ? or do you think you be better with what you have now ?

The price of the 3d phone cases are coming down as is the equipment and accessories - will you be tempted to go down the 3d route ?

[Justin]

3D is still definitely still in it's infancy. Whilst they're are cheaper machines around, the more commercial machines can be relatively expensive. If you have the market the investment isn't huge but if you want to test the water then a cheaper machine may well be the only option, slower cooking times and possibly inconsistent results.

Personally, yes, I'm about to make the investment but I'm looking at every possible avenue right now before I make the final decision.

I really like the 3D phone cases if nothing else and feel that they are far better than the cases with alu inserts.

[bigj2552]

hi justin - we like the results to compared to the ordinary sub cases as well - full wraps just about - we got some samples in the other day to look at, and they feel more expensive and obviously look better once printed than the standard sub ones but, as i said earlier, the price of blanks have came down considerably from 12mths ago as have the pucks, jigs ect, but still cost slightly more than the average sub ones we all love and use just now.
but i really wonder if this is just gonna be another quick "fad" and then fade off into the distance the same as 3d TV is doing just now !!

and we dont want to print the 3d cases, we are thinking of selling the blanks for them, but are just gauging the market, supply/demand whether its worth it selling/stocking them or hang on for another 4/5 mths and see if the public really warms to 3d printing or not

[Justin]

I really don't think so, I think this has legs As the better machines possibly come down in price a little and more blanks become available, I can certainly see a place for it.

3D TV? I think this will be around, still see it as a novelty and wouldn't really miss it. In fact, since my new 3D TV packed up I don't miss it....well not for 3D anyway!

[Hyraxx]

The problem with the cheap paper based 3D machines is image placement, if you have a photo of someone children more often than not they want to be able to place that image on a virtual case where they want, zoom in and scale to the size they want which is not hard, but the problem comes when you print it and wrap it.

Getting it all lined up as the customer expects is not an easy task as we live in a where people want it as they see it and not part of the main image shifted to the left or up a little bit more than expected.

With the more expensive machines that work on a pull and stretch film this is pretty simple to achieve, same with the alu plate cases but the cheaper 3D machines are not cutout really for this kind of work, they are more able to cope with pattens and photos roughly placed and then printed.

[bms]

The problem with the cheap paper based 3D machines is image placement, if you have a photo of someone children more often than not they want to be able to place that image on a virtual case where they want, zoom in and scale to the size they want which is not hard, but the problem comes when you print it and wrap it.

Getting it all lined up as the customer expects is not an easy task as we live in a where people want it as they see it and not part of the main image shifted to the left or up a little bit more than expected.

With the more expensive machines that work on a pull and stretch film this is pretty simple to achieve, same with the alu plate cases but the cheaper 3D machines are not cutout really for this kind of work, they are more able to cope with pattens and photos roughly placed and then printed.

Not sure this is strictly the case. The cheaper machines are also compatible with the film you refer to and placement is accurate with paper as well.

[Hyraxx]

Even with the film its not an accurate method on the cheaper machines, for the simple reason you still have to place the film on the case and that is still subject to lining up issues. Try printing a case where text needs to be sides of the case and see how difficult it is.

The sublideck system you print to a defined space place it in a recess, puck is in the same position, and the registration becomes very simple after a few measurements are taken, not the same with the cheaper machines.

The cheaper machines are great and the quality of the final product can be amazing, but in terms of print and placement they are still behind, that being said from the 2nd to 3rd gen machines that most dealers sell now is a massive leap forward.

[bms]

Even with the film its not an accurate method on the cheaper machines, for the simple reason you still have to place the film on the case and that is still subject to lining up issues. Try printing a case where text needs to be sides of the case and see how difficult it is.

The sublideck system you print to a defined space place it in a recess, puck is in the same position, and the registration becomes very simple after a few measurements are taken, not the same with the cheaper machines.

The cheaper machines are great and the quality of the final product can be amazing, but in terms of print and placement they are still behind, that being said from the 2nd to 3rd gen machines that most dealers sell now is a massive leap forward.

I see what you saying - the jig for placement of the puck and alignment is something that can apply to the other machines as well. A jig to ensure consistent placement has been prototyped but only used so far in the larger machines but downsizing it is a relatively simple task.

[smo]

3D subbing is going to grow and grow, we collected our new vacuum press today, its an absolute monster :biggrin:

[Justin]

Which machine have you gone for?