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It's absolutely amazing what you can use a 3D printer for. I have seen them used for building everything from shoes to houses, and the press is full of articles about 3D printed components going into space, 3D printer handguns, prosthetic devices printed out in 3D and orthopaedic implants. I have even seen photographs of a human figure printed in 3D that is no wider than a human hair! You can even get yourself photographed in 3D and have a sculpted figurine produced from it.

I am not suggesting you get rid of your contractors and buy a house building 3D printer instead, but you do now have the means and opportunity to try out a 3D printer for yourself. 3D printing could actually prove a cheap alternative to paying other people to build architectural models to tender for a project.

You may already be interested in discovering how a 3D printer could fit into your design workflow and production processes, or how easy it might prove to translate your architectural designs into physical components. Architectural models are still an important part of the design process after all, in spite of the prevalence of the digital 3D model, and each provides a different form of feedback and perception.

Well now you have the opportunity to try a 3D printer out for yourself with a new "Try before you buy" sceme being launched by Nottingham-based ArtSystems and Stratasys, one of the world's leading manufacturers of 3D printers. ArtSystems are the UK trade distributor for Stratasys and this joint program, exclusive to Stratasys Idea Series resellers, offers a brand new Stratasys uPrint SE or SE Plus 3D printer to put through its paces in your office for a 10-day trial period - free of charge and without obligation.

STRATASYS IDEA SERIES
The uPrint SE and SE Plus are part of the Idea Series - the professional entry level 3D printer range from Stratasys. They use revolutionary Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Technology, a powerful Stratasys-patented manufacturing method that produces durable 3D models suitable for a wide range of 3D modelling applications.

The uPrint SE is affordable, easy to use and offers networking for easy sharing in an office. Thousands of designers, engineers and education professionals already rely on uPrint SE to test and perfect their work with 3D modelling. This do-it-all printer uses real ABSplus thermoplastic to produce models and functional prototypes that are durable, stable and accurate.

You can evaluate form, fit and function in everything from ergonomics to manufacturing processes - right from your desktop. The optional dual material bays mean more uninterrupted print time, so you can maximise your productivity even when you're not in the office. And you can take models direct from the 3D printer and immerse them in the WaveWash cleaning tank, which removes all of the intermediary supports that allow complex models to be created - the plastic bits that came with your Airfix models, but a bit more intricate! - and a feature that doesn't come with low-cost hobby 3D printers.

The innovative uPrint SE Plus gives you even more control over your 3D modelling. It boasts all the features of the uPrint SE, plus a 33% taller build envelope, two layer thicknesses for 30% faster or fine 3D printing, and nine colour choices for your ABSplus models; ivory, white, blue, fluorescent yellow, black, red, nectarine, olive green and grey.

Both the Stratasys Idea Series uPrint SE and SE Plus come with a full Print Pack which has everything you’ll need to start 3D modelling:

• uPrint SE or SE Plus 3D Printer
• Start-up supply of materials and bases
• CatalystEX software
• WaveWash support removal system

And a word of advice from someone who periodically has equipment on short term loan for trials or reviews - get your models ready for printing before the machine arrives. You don't want to spend the first half of the trial period wondering what to throw at the printer!

To find out more about the Stratasys Idea Series uPrint SE and SE Plus 3D printer and the Try-Before-You-Buy programme, contact Ted Freer, Sales Division Manager, ArtSystems on: 0115 9380 399
www.artsystems.co.uk