Possible custom part making site?

[Omega]

While researching possible game component makers I came across this company called Shapeways that can make custom items from designs you send in.

The prices arent overly steep. But the process seems a little tricky in spots as they need a 3d model to work with in a compatible format from what I've read so far.

www.shapeways.com/

But might be an interesting avenue for generating parts or even re-creating parts. Also, a figure molder suggested that the process could be used in the process to make the masters for molding.

Anyone tinkered with Shapeways before?

[eMummy]

time to learn maya... making the ball joint wouldn't be so bad... but getting good measurements for the socket... thats probably going to take some major research time with actual xevoz and laser ruler.

[Omega]

Depends on how precise they can tool things from model to product.

[blackout354]

I can't draw in 3-D so...

[fett411]

awesome, but a 3-D model is a tad hard to do, perhaps using some programs...wonder if inventor and one of those grip things...i forget what its called....still alot of work...if it is possible id be cool to take some of emummys designs in there.

[phantomsword23]

if anyone had a new xevoz kit, you could take clay, push the ball joint into it and use that to make part of a mould, you could do the smae with a socket joint, then just connect the custom mould to it and presto. laser rulers would take a lot longer, plus if you did it this way, you could just reattatch the ball/socket mould to another custom mould.

[eMummy]

the problem is not pushing the ball into the clay... its pulling it out and thereby ruining the socket.

[phantomsword23]

yeah, but if it was a hardening cay, you could just let if dry, then pop it off like a regular piece. it might take a couple tries to get it right though