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The 3d printer has already been a topic here on WUS in several threads. Some of them hypothetical and some even producing parts, such as metal bezels for g-shocks and watch cases.
However, I was thinking of the possibilities in the watch world with 3D printers with plastic only abilities, since they are getting cheaper and more widely available and will probably be in a lot of home in the coming years.
For the watch world I can think of these application using plastic 3D prints:
1. This one excites me the most: Say you like a certain watch, but it is not available in the local stores to try on to see how it fit on your wrist. Solution: Print a sample case in plastic and you can see how it fits your wrist!
This technology could become a possibility from another technology that is also advancing: 3d scanning. This could make it possible for other forums member to scan their watches, upload a 3D print file for other forum members to download and print a plastic watch sample. All in your own home.
Some links of possible upcoming 3D scanning products:
Structure Sensor: Capture the World in 3D by Occipital - Kickstarter
Rubicon 3D scanner by Robert Mikelson and Grant Cox - Kickstarter
2. pakupakuman made a post in the G-Shock forums aboutprinting molds for making resin-based bezels. This would be very useful for those older models where it is difficult to obtain a new one.
Link to his post: https://www.watchuseek.com/f17/3d-printers-old-models-bezels-691014.html
This also reminds of a post from Yeuman, where he posted pictures of an not too old Seiko with resin parts that were totally ruined. Ageing of Plastic Parts - SKZ227 Mapmeter | Yeoman's Watch Review
The possibilities of either making straight replacement parts or molds would be very useful here for watches with plastic details.
3. Movement holders for specific calibers when repairing/assembling movement.
Something like this:
4. Making customized or replacement chapter rings. Though, these would require post work, such as painting etc.
What possibilities do you see of a home use plastic 3D printer?
However, I was thinking of the possibilities in the watch world with 3D printers with plastic only abilities, since they are getting cheaper and more widely available and will probably be in a lot of home in the coming years.
For the watch world I can think of these application using plastic 3D prints:
1. This one excites me the most: Say you like a certain watch, but it is not available in the local stores to try on to see how it fit on your wrist. Solution: Print a sample case in plastic and you can see how it fits your wrist!
This technology could become a possibility from another technology that is also advancing: 3d scanning. This could make it possible for other forums member to scan their watches, upload a 3D print file for other forum members to download and print a plastic watch sample. All in your own home.
Some links of possible upcoming 3D scanning products:
Structure Sensor: Capture the World in 3D by Occipital - Kickstarter
Rubicon 3D scanner by Robert Mikelson and Grant Cox - Kickstarter
2. pakupakuman made a post in the G-Shock forums aboutprinting molds for making resin-based bezels. This would be very useful for those older models where it is difficult to obtain a new one.
Link to his post: https://www.watchuseek.com/f17/3d-printers-old-models-bezels-691014.html
This also reminds of a post from Yeuman, where he posted pictures of an not too old Seiko with resin parts that were totally ruined. Ageing of Plastic Parts - SKZ227 Mapmeter | Yeoman's Watch Review
The possibilities of either making straight replacement parts or molds would be very useful here for watches with plastic details.
3. Movement holders for specific calibers when repairing/assembling movement.
Something like this:

4. Making customized or replacement chapter rings. Though, these would require post work, such as painting etc.
What possibilities do you see of a home use plastic 3D printer?