I have ordered almost all of the parts required to build my second 3D printer from Chinese suppliers. Aside from being much cheaper, I think they might be very low quality. But I am interested to learn if good design and software settings can make up and to see if the part are even as low quality as the prices seem to hint at. If this is possible in any significant way, then I could say there is a future in very cheap but fully functional 3D printers.

It may have quite a boring name for now but my latest prototype is taking shape. I am developing a large format 3D printer based on my proven SUNBIRD Mobile Computer Lab. As an enclosure, the SUNBIRD offers many advantages as a platform over conventional consumer 3D printers. Read all about it on my dedicated page - https://bramtan.weebly.com/

I was lucky enough to receive a set of declassified drawings of the Northrop YF23 stealth fighter from an aerospace enthusiast who happened to buy one of my SR71 Blackbird Models. I was immediately taken its curves and the challenge of modelling this prototype and optimising it as a 3D printed model.

It took me 11 attempts to model this aircraft from the drawings provided, I was never sure I could do it justice. I discovered eventually that the key to getting it right was reading up about the design intent behind the curves and angles and realising that not a single surface is the way it is, by accident. I finally suceeded in approximating this beauty buy staying absolutely true to the 2D profiles.

The finished model with more texture detail and optimisation to fit smaller printers will be available for download on Pinshape and Cults 3D very soon!