PhilW
Hi there,
Really just an introduction, as my printer has not arrived.
(I go to pick it up in an hour or so, so quite excited)
I have however, thought it would be a good idea to join a 3d printing forum as I have never done this myself. All previous rapid prototyping has been done by professionals.....
So, I am getting a Makerbot 1(Clone) dual extruder......
I think that just about covers everything up to now....
I will let you know how the first items turn out, and may be seeking advice as to just how complex I can take designs.... Hollow walls, overhangs and..... stuff stress stress stress stress stress
I may even post pictures, if they are not the 3d equivalent of a fallen soufflé.
Maybe more picks if they are the 3d equivalent of a fallen soufflé. 
Good luck with your 3D printing. I found it more difficult learning how to use 3d design software than the actual printing.
Welcome to the forums Phil! Looking forward to having you here and hearing all about your 3D printing adventures.
Welcome to the forums
Welcome Phil! You will be printing EZ-Robots in no time!
Welcome to the EZ-Robot Communitiy Phil , I look forward to see what you can do with your 3d Printer
Well, thank you all for your welcomes.....
So I have been printing for a couple of days now... I have to make a prototype machine of good cosmetic quality for a demonstration in a few weeks.
I have had some trouble trying to get ReplicatorG to run on my laptop, am running an HP on windows 8.1......
My printer does not connect, it will not open any STL files but, Makerware runs really well.
So my list of parts created are a set of bearing hangers for the demo machine... They were really good. Accurate to be virtually a push fit with only the merest hint of fettling with a modelling knife.
I have made some adapters so I can fit rubber feet to the framework of the system... they have withstood being hammered into place.....
I am currently printing some arduino mounting boards, a power supply mounting board.
I have to print a motor mount bracket and a raspberry pi and camera mounting plate.
My Makerbot came with two rolls of filament. White and blue. The blue is awesome, it stick nicely to the Kapton tape, makes good rafts and good build quality. The whit is awful. it will not stick down to the build table, it curls and rises. It does not bond well..... does that mean there are different setting for each filament used?
Just another query if possible.... On Makerware, it appear that both extruders have to be the same temperature, does anyone know if it is possible to individually set the temperatures?
Also just on a complete tangent (as always with any of my conversations)
Watching how the 3d Printer works, and based on the idea that it is all open source based, I wonder if it would be possible to make one extruder cobine clay and water (for support material) it would have to be an Archimedes screw feed into the extruder, and on the other extruder fit a high performance induction heater and then make a filament based (welding wire in this instance) metal 3d printer.....
Oh, so many ideas, and so little work space... oh, and no money