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Why we didn't have 3d printers before?
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c64:
Simple 3d design software was already available in late 80s.

G-code for something simple like enclosure for your PCB or "simple tool stand" mentioned in this thread can be generated without any 3d editor. I myself tried to generate g-code manually and it's nothing complicated, just time consuming.

Simplest hobbyist 3d printer just requires few stepper motors and computer like c64 or ZX Spectrum. ZX Spectrum was around 100£, steppers can be controlled directly from it. No need for any microcontrollers. And if you make it yourself, you just don't care about patents.

It was probably no plastic on the spool available for sale, but it can be also done at home, there are stories of people recycling their plastic.

beanflying:
As I typed a few posts ago you don't need 3D software to generate Gcode we do it now because it is easy and it makes sense.

Do you actually have any idea how large the Gcode file is even for a simple shape? Anything relying on a Cassette Tape for storage isn't an option.

Draw yourself a simple cube and then convert it into GCode and you are talking Mb file sizes. Simple 50x50x50mm cube with a 0.2mm layer is 275,000 lines of Gcode and over 8Mb off a modern slicer. Just ran a 20x20x20mm cube 640kB and over 20,000 lines of Gcode.

I don't have the time to look an more at it currently but even playing with it manually the file down in size I doubt you will get near a toy computer to process and keep up with a 3D printer from tape.

ABS and a lot of common plastics were available on rolls it they would work reliably or be consistent is a bit moot but if there was a market I am sure technically it could be done for a price.
Ed.Kloonk:

--- Quote from: c64 on February 15, 2020, 08:00:36 am ---There is nothing complicated in the construction of a cheap 3d printer. Electronics is simple as well. We could already make them easily in the late 80s. Why?

--- End quote ---

I was just watching The-8-bit-guy's latest video today where he cooks up a couple of key stands for the C64.

He pulled the file off the web and sent it to the printer and walla.
Ed.Kloonk:

--- Quote from: xrunner on February 16, 2020, 12:25:12 am ---Yea that's really cool - but I was talking about pyramids ... I don't think they will tackle this is the near future -



--- End quote ---

I have been to those there pyramids. I have only one word: Aliens.

Mr. Scram:

--- Quote from: hammy on February 15, 2020, 11:08:53 pm ---
--- Quote ---3D printing has been around for about 30 years, which means that some of the earliest patents in this space are fond memories. From 2002 to 2014, about 225 early 3D printing patents expired. About 16 key patents relating to 3D printing processes called Material Extrusion, Powder Bed Fusion, and Vat Photopolymerization expired in 2013-14. This means that 3D printing technology that is at least 20 years old is now available for anyone to use.
In other words, an expired 3D printing patent gives only the right to use that specific 20-year-old technology.
--- End quote ---
https://www.finnegan.com/en/insights/how-patents-die-expiring-3d-printing-patents.html

Another link:
https://reprap.org/wiki/Patents

--- End quote ---
IP lawyer firm says you need an IP lawyer.  ::)
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