http://www.thingiverse.com/CrapolaDesign/designs

Cool project going down on Swaylocks where a couple Aussie guys are working on some 3D printable files that will allow you to print your own fin bases to either build your own fin blank or print single fin box adapters for FCS or Futures fins. See the link above to download the STL files.



Here's the thread for some context:
http://www2.swaylocks.com/foru...ntable-single-fin-base

They also made a really cool universal fin box that will work with FCS, FCS2 and Futures:
http://www2.swaylocks.com/foru...rsal-fin-system?page=4

BA!!!!

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Sick! What up, lawless..

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Got my 3D printed base in the mail. Funny enough, I got it printed in Satellite Beach and had to have it mailed up to me in NC.

Cost $35. Fits FCS fins perfectly and slides into a Bahne type box. Easy way to convert a 2+1 into a thruster.

Lots more to come, this is opening the door for a lot of DIY guys. Working on some 3D models for complete Futures fins right now, but they will likely be expensive to print in a material strong enough to hold up as needed. Prices are guaranteed to come down quickly though, and/or access to Maker spaces with 3D printers become more available. I've got access to a MakerBot here locally for $10/hr. which covers materials. So I'm eager to start playing around with that and see what the per-fin cost is.

3D printing is a game-changer for sure.



More pics on Swaylocks thread:
http://www2.swaylocks.com/foru...?page=1#comment-492518

Yo SpinK!

Some UPS stores are adding 3D printing.

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Dora Hates You

Interesting, I didn't know that UPS offered it, looks like they are adding it to a lot more stores:

http://www.ups.com/pressroom/u...+the+U.S..syndication

The only problem with printing fins is the forces that are exerted on them are pretty high. I've only seen a handful of complete fins printed and they were done in polycarbonate and the print patterns were optimized, so there's still a lot to learn. But it's a really cool way to try something and build it quickly and relatively cheaply.

I've been following the progress on Swaylocks.
Surffoils and RDM are doing some cool stuff..
I'm thinking one way get around the relatively weak physical properties of the materials would be to use it to print hollow cores of the shapes you want, and then build a layer or two of laminate over them for strength.

"Might" not be too hard to laminate the whole thing with a layer of cloth and epoxy resin.

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Dora Hates You