talkmagic.co.uk

3D Printers are now on sale to general public and in my mind they could be good for computer competent magicians, if they can design a 3d model they could print off complex intricate gimmicks for use in magic routine and even use the printer to produce very minute version of exsisting gimmicks for use in different size hands or maybe coin tricks and other things. you could even print coins and colour them also you could print yourself a Omni deck. dealers too could mass produce there own ideas.

Unfortunately complex and intricate is not something that goes hand in hand with 3D printing. The currently available printers work off a process called FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) which basically lays down layers of melted plastic from a nozzle. It's technology that's been available to industry for years. So far, the best process I've used for intricacy is SLA (Stereo Lythographic Assimilation), but the resultant parts are extremely brittle as they're made from a laser-cured resin. Mid-way is SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) which uses a laser to fuse polymer powder into the required object. Much tougher parts, but the surface finish is rough, and intricate detail is not so sharp.

Rapid prototyping processes all have their pros and cons, but certainly you're not going to get much more than simple novelties from home 3D printing.

3 cups ?

Yeah, 3 Cups would be about your limit of complexity.

Unusual objects for Mentalism and bizarre methinks....

You show an empty box. The box is covered. An audience member names an item, any item they like. 6 to 12 hours later that very item is found in the box made from a cheap plastic material.

and a ball of course