Originally shared by Mark W Ballard
I saw a documentary on Albert Paley’s massive steel sculptures (120 plus tons in 13 sculptures placed along the length of Park Avenue). I create 3D models for my artwork and have considered 3D sculpture, possibly venturing into 3D Printing as a first step. I’ve generated an STL file of this model and am debating about taking the next step into the new realm.
This would definitely not work well with Fused Deposition. You would need to upgrade to Stereolithography (SLA) or Laser Sintering (SLS).
Thanks @Josh_Rhodes - I’ve much research and experimentation to do yet. I appreciate your pointers and recommendations. -Mark
@Josh_Rhodes , @m_NOUN recommended a ‘mig printer’. I can see I’ve got a ways to go to bring my artistic notion to life. Much of my journey will just be to learn what’s available in terms of manufacturing and materials and finding collaborators to fill in the voids in my own understanding.
My novice-level perception is that I can start with a handheld model, but scale the 3D model with appropriate structural engineering to create a 10 foot tall free standing sculpture in a downtown mall or the lobby of an ultratech company (eh - it could happen… right? 
). - Mark
It’s all about materials and scale.
First you need a model. An stl (preferably) format model file. Then you can feed that into various printers… the art you’ve shown above would need supports added. Unless you used one of the stereo lithography printers (such as http://formlabs.com/products/3d-printers/form-2/ )
But this would only get you a handheld plastic model.
Which is usually enough to prove the concept and shape.
Making it in metal is possible… just like Elon Musk did… http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/07/31/spacex-launches-3d-printed-part-space-creates-printed-engine-chamber-crewed …
I think those laser sintering machines are about $100k… you may be able to find someone that will allow you to print with such a gadget.
Still doesn’t get you to 10ft tall… maybe 2 or 3. So then do it in sections or alternatively the old fashioned way…
Thanks for the followup and the links @Josh_Rhodes ! You’ve given me a head start on realistic directions to take. 10 feet is an arbitrary goal and even 2 or 3 feet would be a great start. If I can do a small proof of concept print, it will provide insights and experience directly applicable to scaling and manufacturing in more advanced technologies and materials. I’m all about ‘baby-steps’ and incremental progress.
The size is set at 6’ x 5’ because it is the size of the device I created for that purpose.
It is a mid range device that can make objects as tall as you want it to be, thats why it has no third dimension.
Only the x & y dimension is needed. For the size of my device.
