Forum post to Thingiverse.

First off, it helps to know what a 3D Printer is. Look up RepRap. Second, Thingiverse is a website where designers make 3D object files or other things, and then any user with something like a Reprap or the tools, could download the file and basically make the object.

The following is a post I made to their forums.

I have a few questions for designers, and the makers of thingiverse. When looking at items on thingiverse, do you prefer (or enjoy more) to see functional items, such as bathtub plugs, or creative items, like the pyramids here http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1015 ?

Personally, I find creative items more enjoyable.


Anyways, I have two (or more) ideas in mind for a 3D Printer, if and ever I get one.

The first is a poseable action figure/doll. The idea is to have six seperate pieces, two arms, two legs, chest, and the head. These would all be printed out seperately. Each of the non-chest pieces, will have a ball at the end, which can be pushed into the chest, to snap it into place. So once printed, (painted) and assembled, you would have an actionfigure / doll that can move it's limbs.

Yay.

The second is a plastic powertool, with two non-plastic parts.

(Pictures here to see what I mean in a visual way. It's very crude, so don't mind it)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33344724@N02/3932346370/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33344724@N02/3932347738/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33344724@N02/3932347622/

There are four or five main parts to this design. The first two are, a circular saw (as seen on the end, in blue). This would be metal of course. On the opposite end, would be a canister of pressurized air (in black). The canister would snap into the first chamber (in white), and when the release nozzle on the air is turned, it shoots it out through the first chamber.

The second chamber (in red) is hooked to the first chamber via an axis, so the second chamber can rotate around in relation to the first. In the second chamber, is an variation of an air vane motor (seen here http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:615 ). As air passes through this motor, it causes the entire second chamber to spin, again in relation to the first chamber. At the end of the second chamber, is four vents, pushing the released air outwards to the side.

Since the circular saw will be attached to the second chamber, one the air flows through the airvane motor and spins the entire second chamber around, it also spins the circular saw.

Possibly uses for this power tool.

A, a saw. To...saw stuff.
B, the air flowing out of the vents could be used to knock any particles or sawdust off of the item after you saw it.
C, attaching a circular sandpaper to the front of the saw, could create a portable sander.

Of course, I have no idea if this would work, and if any of it would be possible anyways. But it's just an idea I had.

Any suggestions?

- Kayla/Melody