Hi,
I wanted to  share some worryings i have  (and expectations).
In my presentation, Warren said :
"Resin casting is growing in popularity especially as people see the results that can be had relatively cheaply at the DIY level."
It is true, but i can't help thinking : will 3D printing be more profitable than casting in resin and if yes, when ? I hope to start a business next year, casting scenery for miniature games.
If 3D printing is  more profitable within 10 years (as technology develops quickly and 3D printers are more and more cheaper, faster, and gain in quality), It seems iam doomed
What you professionals do think about that issue ?
Thanks !

Its hard to tell.  Certainly not something I would be qualified to predict that far ahead.

That far ahead I would expect  renewable sources for replacing a lot of oil based plastics would be a major factor too and that might have a major impact on manufacturing methods needed.

If you think currently,  a lot of plastic parts are injection moulded.  The tool cost is relatively high but will produce 10's of thousands of parts.  The modern injection moulding machines  and tooling generally tends to work on a batch basis producing many items in each shot and multiple runs per mould per hour meaning thousands of the parts can be made in a day.  

Current 3D printing and near sight projections of where the tech will be is still nowhere near having the volume capacity that current plastics systems have.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant