A few years ago I wrote an article about how to turn your flatbed scanner into a 3D scanner. Some of my readers were looking for something that actually created a 3D object. Once again the Open Source community came to the rescue. There are plenty of programs on the market and Open Source that will allow you o render 3D objects. But unless you have graphic design skills they can be complicated to use.
I found something which is so much easier than rendering a 3D object and give you a functional product you can actually use in the real world, as opposed to the cyber world. I found a printer that will actually print a 3D object you can actually pickup and use. This printer will actually create a physical cup, toy, hooks for hanging pictures and plants. The best part of all is that this printer is 100% Open Source.
The Open Source project is called RepRap. If you are a hobbyist electrician you can get the RepRap Manual online at: https://reprapbook.appspot.com/. The manual will go over all of the parts and software you will need to build the RepRap printer of your choice. If you doubt your electrical engineering skills I suggest you go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFaZ7wO_rGI&lr=1 and watch the video. The video walks through all of the hardware you will need to build a RepRap printer. If you can follow the video, you may want to go this route.
If you still want to build your own RepRap after viewing the video, but don’t know where to get the hardware and circuit boards you can buy a RepRap kit for the RepRap printer you which to build. RepRap comes in three models. The Darwin, the Huxley, the Mendel and the Prusa. You can get the instructions for building each of these models by clicking on the name of the model under its photos at: http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap_Options. Clicking on the photo itself will give you additional details on that particular model.
If you have no skills, such as me, you can also buy a completely build and programmed RepRap printer. Go to: http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap and under each model it tells you where you can buy a completely assembled working printer. You can expect to pay around $1,000.00 plus shipping and handling. You can build one for about half the price, if you know what you are doing.
I know you are thinking, this is either too much trouble or too expensive. Trust me when I tell you the RepRap is worth it. For one thing the RepRap is self-replicating. That’s right, the RepRap can print all of the plastic parts you need to build another RepRap printer, or you can print replacement parts. You will still need to purchase the hardware. The RepRap project developers are working towards designing a RepRap model that is able to reproduce the circuit boards as well. If you are really interested you can view a short video on how the project is progressing at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iclmH6-ba5Y&feature=related. Be forewarned if you are not a scientist it is a very slow moving monotone presentation. The scientific mined reader will find it fascinating.
Here is how it works. Just like a conventional printer it connects to your computer. If you have graphic design skills you can design a 3D model of an object and upload it to the RepRap printer. If not you can do a Google search for public domain 3D objects. The RepRap uses plastic that is melted down and the RepRap printer reproduces the 3D object into a working physical object.
You can create more complex designs such as objects and toys with moveable parts. The best part is that in some cases you will not have to assemble the finished project. The RepRap printers can print a fully assembled working product. More complex objects may require the printing of multiple parts. I have uploaded some photos of objects that were created by a RepRap printer. Here is a video of a complex puzzle printed using a RepRap printer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F71XHbB2fQ&feature=related). Also here is a link showing the RepRap printing a 3D sculpture of Yoda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFZXgxcfdHQ&feature=related.
If you are an inventor or engineer you can use RepRap to print a working prototype. You can replicate replacement parts. You can create toys or ornaments that you can paint and sell on eBay. As you can see the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. I have included photos showing replacement battery covers form a handheld game that was created using RepRap. Also there is a photo of an iPod holder for your car you can create using a RepRap printer.
You can get additional information at the official RepRap site (http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap).