Experience with desktop 3D Printing

[netmagdave]

Numerous vendors have introduced desktop 3D printers (Objet was the latest with the price reduction on the Objet Alaris 30 see: http://bit.ly/crsLzH ). I'm curious to learn your experience with the quality of these printers. For example, do they provide enough precision to be used for professional-quality models?

[mcphill]

No.

You would need to go to a $100,000+ SLA system to get enough detail to do finished models. Even then, they would require a good bit of surface preparation and finishing.

I have owned a Dimension printer for about 4 years. It is not good enough for a finished product either, but it is great for prototyping and making fixtures. I can design a part one day, and hold it the next. If I want good resolution/finishes, I can do preliminary designs on my printer, and go to SLA after I know it will be good the first time (which is good, as they are easily $800+ per part).