Comments on: Smoothing 3D prints with acetone and without patent violations http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 22:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Paul Renault http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1671009 Paul Renault Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1671009 Technically, the gut in your intestine produces the poo. My apologies. I should have been clearer earlier. Your body makes and USES acetone. Yes, I was surprised too. Technically, the gut in your intestine produces the poo.

My apologies. I should have been clearer earlier. Your body makes and USES acetone.

Yes, I was surprised too.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670733 Antinous / Moderator Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670733 Well, my body produces poo, too, but that doesn't mean that I want to aerosolize it. Well, my body produces poo, too, but that doesn’t mean that I want to aerosolize it.

]]> By: Paul Renault http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670670 Paul Renault Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670670 Taste anything?  Well, not if my finger is still in the chocolate-acetone mixture. Here, read for yourself: http://ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/acetone.html#_1_4 Again: <b>your body produces acetone.</b> Taste anything?  Well, not if my finger is still in the chocolate-acetone mixture.

Here, read for yourself:
http://ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/acetone.html#_1_4

Again: your body produces acetone.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670560 Dlo Burns Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670560 Wait, has anybody tried using a rock tumbler? Wait, has anybody tried using a rock tumbler?

]]> By: Brandon Barbee http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670556 Brandon Barbee Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670556 Vapor deburring isn't new, but it is neat. I know of a company in Tennessee that does it to remove machining marks on optically clear plastic. They buy clear blocks of plastic, then mill them to the shapes they want, then vapor debur them so they can use them as sight glasses. Neat stuff! Vapor deburring isn’t new, but it is neat. I know of a company in Tennessee that does it to remove machining marks on optically clear plastic. They buy clear blocks of plastic, then mill them to the shapes they want, then vapor debur them so they can use them as sight glasses. Neat stuff!

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670486 AnthonyC Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670486 Excellent point. Excellent point.

]]> By: mcducky http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670375 mcducky Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670375  Perfectly harmless , Eh?  Take a small cup of acetone, (NO! not the plastic one!) and dissolve some chocolate in it.  Now stick a finger in it for a little while.  Taste anything?  Perfectly harmless , Eh?  Take a small cup of acetone, (NO! not the plastic one!) and dissolve some chocolate in it.  Now stick a finger in it for a little while.  Taste anything?

]]> By: Paul Renault http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670216 Paul Renault Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670216 Well, in moderate doses, it's perfectly harmless - seeing as how your body manufactures acetone... Well, in moderate doses, it’s perfectly harmless – seeing as how your body manufactures acetone…

]]> By: bobtato http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670213 bobtato Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670213 This technique wouldn't be useful for assemblies printed all in one, though-- the parts would stick together. What it would be extremely useful for is when you want to cast from 3D prints.  If this technique can work as well as the pictures suggest, then it opens up a whole range of possibilities.  I'd love to try casting lenses at home, for example... This technique wouldn’t be useful for assemblies printed all in one, though– the parts would stick together.
What it would be extremely useful for is when you want to cast from 3D prints.  If this technique can work as well as the pictures suggest, then it opens up a whole range of possibilities.  I’d love to try casting lenses at home, for example…

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670200 Art Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670200 Very impressive results! But I do have grave reservations about the home-based, DIY person working with heat and acetone. Way too much could go wrong. It sounds like a prescription for disaster. Very impressive results! But I do have grave reservations about the home-based, DIY person working with heat and acetone.

Way too much could go wrong. It sounds like a prescription for disaster.

]]> By: Ray Perkins http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670196 Ray Perkins Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670196  Isn't this really a hardware version of a low-pass filter? Which reduces mechanical "noise" at the cost of precision. If over-used, the result would be just a blob.  Isn’t this really a hardware version of a low-pass filter? Which reduces mechanical “noise” at the cost of precision. If over-used, the result would be just a blob.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670184 Boundegar Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670184 But then if goons from a rival 3D print gang bust into your lab and demand the recipe for your cook, you can just throw that hot acetone in their faces and run off in your underpants. But then if goons from a rival 3D print gang bust into your lab and demand the recipe for your cook, you can just throw that hot acetone in their faces and run off in your underpants.

]]> By: Pierce Nichols http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670142 Pierce Nichols Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670142 This technique has been patented and commercialized by Stratasys. I suspect the patent is weak, because it's really just a variant of vapor-phase degreasing... which is a century old. This technique has been patented and commercialized by Stratasys. I suspect the patent is weak, because it’s really just a variant of vapor-phase degreasing… which is a century old.

]]> By: Warren_Terra http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670139 Warren_Terra Mon, 04 Mar 2013 05:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670139 This was my snap reaction. It's quite possible to do this safely, but I really don't want some less careful, less informed hobbyist - possibly in my apartment building - vaporizing acetone in a closed space, with a convenient heat source and everything. This was my snap reaction. It’s quite possible to do this safely, but I really don’t want some less careful, less informed hobbyist – possibly in my apartment building – vaporizing acetone in a closed space, with a convenient heat source and everything.

]]> By: mtdna http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670136 mtdna Mon, 04 Mar 2013 04:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670136 Well, there's this: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/08/3d-printed-magic-arms-give-a-little-girl-use-of-her-limbs/ Another cool thing you can do is print out little trolls, to give out to, you know... trolls. Well, there’s this: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/08/3d-printed-magic-arms-give-a-little-girl-use-of-her-limbs/

Another cool thing you can do is print out little trolls, to give out to, you know… trolls.

]]> By: mtdna http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670132 mtdna Mon, 04 Mar 2013 04:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670132 As the Wired article says, they didn't invent it. The guys say this is their refinement of the technique, to make it simple for everyone to use. They also didn't even do that: Compare their ridiculous setup with this guy's: http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/presto-part-finisher/ As the Wired article says, they didn’t invent it. The guys say this is their refinement of the technique, to make it simple for everyone to use. They also didn’t even do that: Compare their ridiculous setup with this guy’s: http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/presto-part-finisher/

]]> By: Joseph Francis http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670114 Joseph Francis Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670114 I'm saying make something 20 inches tall with 1 mm steps in the surface with the intention of shrinking it to a final size of 2 inches tall and the steps in the surface will be 0.1 mm. The problem is there is not really a process for massively and accurately shrinking things, so it's really not feasible -- although certain ceramic things, like toilet seats, are made oversized because they shrink maybe 20% when fired. I’m saying make something 20 inches tall with 1 mm steps in the surface with the intention of shrinking it to a final size of 2 inches tall and the steps in the surface will be 0.1 mm. The problem is there is not really a process for massively and accurately shrinking things, so it’s really not feasible — although certain ceramic things, like toilet seats, are made oversized because they shrink maybe 20% when fired.

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670112 AnthonyC Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670112 Yes, its a demonstration. You can also do things like 3D print gear assemblies in one step that would be unassemblable if made in multiple pieces. And plastic crap is cheap because its mass produced. If you happen to be an engineer, making that first prototype of a part through non-3d-printing means is quite expensive. And custom goods are a lot costlier than mass produced kinds - but not with a 3d printer. Yes, its a demonstration.

You can also do things like 3D print gear assemblies in one step that would be unassemblable if made in multiple pieces.

And plastic crap is cheap because its mass produced. If you happen to be an engineer, making that first prototype of a part through non-3d-printing means is quite expensive. And custom goods are a lot costlier than mass produced kinds – but not with a 3d printer.

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670111 AnthonyC Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670111 abs contracts on cooling- just a few % though. Anything with a really big thermal expansion coefficient would probably wreak havoc with precision unless you had excellent temperature control during deposition abs contracts on cooling- just a few % though. Anything with a really big thermal expansion coefficient would probably wreak havoc with precision unless you had excellent temperature control during deposition

]]> By: AnthonyC http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670110 AnthonyC Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670110 Also: The flash point of acetone is very low, so if you're intentionally vaporizing it, be careful about sparks or static electricity Also: The flash point of acetone is very low, so if you’re intentionally vaporizing it, be careful about sparks or static electricity

]]> By: mccrum http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670106 mccrum Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670106 When the end heats to extrude the plastic, would that make it a lot smaller from the get go?  Then as it cools it enlarges? I'm confused. When the end heats to extrude the plastic, would that make it a lot smaller from the get go?  Then as it cools it enlarges?

I’m confused.

]]> By: Off White http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670098 Off White Mon, 04 Mar 2013 02:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670098 Is it just me, or is the end product just a little plastic animal? I mean, 3d printing is cool and all, but I haven't noticed a lack of cheap plastic crap in the world. Is it just me, or is the end product just a little plastic animal? I mean, 3d printing is cool and all, but I haven’t noticed a lack of cheap plastic crap in the world.

]]> By: Kimmo http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670074 Kimmo Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670074 <i>Damn</i>, that's clever. Damn, that’s clever.

]]> By: for_SCIENCE http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670069 for_SCIENCE Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670069 Still might not be the best for bearing/bushing and the like. Sure, you get a smooth surface, but this process will still play hell with your tolerances. Still might not be the best for bearing/bushing and the like. Sure, you get a smooth surface, but this process will still play hell with your tolerances.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670067 dculberson Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670067  It doesn't look like they sealed the container.  That's why it was important that the acetone fumes are heavier than air - they push the air out of the unsealed container but enough to fill the container remains behind since it won't float up out of it. You do still need to be careful heating a solvent, and please don't inhale it.  It doesn’t look like they sealed the container.  That’s why it was important that the acetone fumes are heavier than air – they push the air out of the unsealed container but enough to fill the container remains behind since it won’t float up out of it.

You do still need to be careful heating a solvent, and please don’t inhale it.

]]> By: Shane Simmons http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670066 Shane Simmons Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670066 Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't podcasting fairly well documented well before the patent trolls got involved? Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t podcasting fairly well documented well before the patent trolls got involved?

]]> By: Joe Vanegas http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670064 Joe Vanegas Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670064 By publishing as they have it is now prior art and not patentable by others. It would be especially helpful if they mentioned a few variations that they find obvious to try next. Such statements would make it difficult to patent the variations because they are explicitly "obvious to one skilled in the art." By publishing as they have it is now prior art and not patentable by others. It would be especially helpful if they mentioned a few variations that they find obvious to try next. Such statements would make it difficult to patent the variations because they are explicitly “obvious to one skilled in the art.”

]]> By: Glippiglop http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670059 Glippiglop Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670059 Pure acetone is toxic to living cells, although exposure to skin (or finger nails) is not usually a cause for concern if washed off. Vaporized acetone would be extremely harmful if it enters the lungs.  In the past I've put on a gas mask before being exposed to it (usually when cleaning air brushes). Pure acetone is toxic to living cells, although exposure to skin (or finger nails) is not usually a cause for concern if washed off.

Vaporized acetone would be extremely harmful if it enters the lungs.  In the past I’ve put on a gas mask before being exposed to it (usually when cleaning air brushes).

]]> By: Mark Dow http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670058 Mark Dow Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670058 It's always worth looking up the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and understanding it. For acetone: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927062 Here's the relevant portion for acetone fumes: VAPOR (LC50): Acute: 50100 mg/m 8 hours [Rat]. 44000 mg/m 4 hours [Mouse]. These are the vapor levels and exposure times that are likely to cause acute harm (like death) in humans, as well as rats and mice. There is more about potential chronic health effects. Low, and occasional higher, vapor levels are tolerated in many manufacturing and nail polish environments. It’s always worth looking up the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and understanding it. For acetone:

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927062

Here’s the relevant portion for acetone fumes:

VAPOR (LC50): Acute: 50100 mg/m 8 hours [Rat]. 44000 mg/m 4 hours [Mouse].

These are the vapor levels and exposure times that are likely to cause acute harm (like death) in humans, as well as rats and mice. There is more about potential chronic health effects.

Low, and occasional higher, vapor levels are tolerated in many manufacturing and nail polish environments.

]]> By: Xanthomonas http://boingboing.net/2013/03/03/smoothing-3d-prints-with-aceto.html#comment-1670056 Xanthomonas Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=216337#comment-1670056 Interesting approach but this is not a very safe method in current form. Solvents should never be heated on a hot plate and certainly not in a sealed container. In addition the container in the image does not look like it is heat resistant glass. Fortunately acetone vapor is not easy to ignite but but this is still quite risky especially if there are any open flames in the workspace. Interesting approach but this is not a very safe method in current form. Solvents should never be heated on a hot plate and certainly not in a sealed container. In addition the container in the image does not look like it is heat resistant glass. Fortunately acetone vapor is not easy to ignite but but this is still quite risky especially if there are any open flames in the workspace.

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