<p><em>Please note; Due to its very nature, this post is very subjective and is <strong>not</strong> intended to be a definitive list of categories. It is merely an attempt to offer one perspective of what has been suggested, and to ask &quot;How should we move forward?&quot;</em></p>
<hr />
<p>Sometimes it is a bit hard to see the wood for the trees...</p>
<p>Following on from tjb1's meta post, <a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/134/post-closing-issues">Post Closing Issues</a>, it seems like we should widen the scope and be less strict about what is, and what is not, on-topic. What do people think? What additions, if any, should be made? Are there things that definitely should be on the list, that aren't currently?</p>
<p>So, with respect to our <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic">On-topic page</a>, which needs updating, in order to get an idea of what people have been asking (&quot;why has my question been closed?&quot;/&quot;why is X not allowed&quot;),  I've gone through the Meta questions and come up with a list of questions that mentioned the words &quot;<a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=ask">ask</a>&quot; and &quot;<a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=topic">topic</a>&quot;. I then pulled out the questions relating to specifically what types of questions can/can't be asked.</p>
<p>A number of them seem to be able to be labeled as duplicates (inasmuch as they asked more or less the same thing), and so I have attempted to group them according to their suggestion request. The full list is at the bottom of this post.</p>
<p>Even though I went through both lists twice - also, I didn't read <em>every</em> question and answer listed below fully - <em>there may be some suggestions that I have missed</em>. Please feel free to either suggest a change, or edit this post directly and add any that have gone astray (in that respect, maybe this question should be a wiki?).</p>
<p>Whilst we maybe don't want to change the aim of the site too much (as doing so may put off some regular users), maybe the scope needs to broaden slightly, as to have a wider appeal and be more <em>inclusive</em>.</p>
<p>BTW, a useful post to read is <a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain">What should our documentation contain?</a></p>
<p>Any thoughts, questions, additional suggestions that have not already been posted, agreements, or disagreements?</p>
<h3>Update</h3>
<p>The list below was integrated into the on-topics page, on the 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019. See <a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/413/on-topic-has-been-updated-finally">On-topic has been updated - finally!</a> for <em>further</em> discussion.</p>
<hr />
<h3>TL;DR - Suggested topics</h3>
<p>In the list below,</p>
<ul>
<li>Italics are used for notes</li>
<li>Strikethrough is used for definitive no-go topics</li>
</ul>
<p>Whilst there may be <em>some</em> overlap, duplication and/or mis-categorisation, the list of suggested on-topics seems to be, essentially:</p>
<ul>
<li>Recommendations (Hardware and Software)
<ul>
<li><em>Note: Usually banned from SE - with the exception of <a href="https://hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com/">Hardware Recommendations</a></em></li>
<li><strike>General Shopping  - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>
<li><strike>First printer - <em>opinion based</em></strike>, <em>see <a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/278/best-first-printer-closed-wiki">&quot;Best first printer&quot; wiki/blog/closed-question</a></em></li>
<li>Best printer
<ul>
<li><strike>Overall - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>
<li>For specific task  - <em>opinion based but allowable, although <strong>speed</strong> as a task is in a <strong>very grey area</strong>... this question <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10204/fastest-fdm-printer">Fastest FDM printer?</a> was closed for being opinion-based</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Best software
<ul>
<li><strike>Overall - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>
<li>For a specific task  - <em>opinion based but allowable</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Software issues
<ul>
<li>Firmware</li>
<li>Tools</li>
<li>Coding/Compiling firmware (see <strong>Misc - Coding</strong>)</li>
<li>3D modelling (<em>same as <strong>CAD</strong>?</em>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Websites (<em>could come under <strong>Software</strong> and/or <strong>Tools</strong></em>)
<ul>
<li>Recommended sites
<ul>
<li>for knowledge</li>
<li>for models</li>
<li>for online tools</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Issues with web based tools</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>CAD
<ul>
<li>Needs to show relevancy to 3D printing! (See Meta questions)</li>
<li><em>Overlap with SE.Blender?</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Printer DIY
<ul>
<li>Repair and maintenance (<em>both commercial and DIY repair of both commercial and DIY printers</em>)</li>
<li>Construction</li>
<li>Mechatronics</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Components (<em>could come under <strong>Printer DIY</strong></em>)
<ul>
<li><em><a href="https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/244366/how-do-i-tell-if-my-thermistors-are-10k-or-100k">Thermistors</a> is a good example, see note <sup>1</sup> below</em></li>
<li>Help and Recommendations</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Electronics
<ul>
<li>Printer related electronics</li>
<li>Common electronic gotchas</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Print Services</li>
<li>Scanning
<ul>
<li>Also 3D Reconstruction (<a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/172/is-a-question-about-software-to-create-models-on-topic">example</a>)</li>
<li>Software (<a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/8057/resources-on-getting-horus-ciclop-scanners-to-work">example</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bio-printing</li>
<li>3D Models
<ul>
<li>Feasibility</li>
<li>Availability</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sharing recommended settings</li>
<li>Legal issues
<ul>
<li>Copyright (i.e. <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/164/can-i-print-my-own-lego-bricks">Lego</a>)</li>
<li>Guns/Weapons</li>
<li>Insurance (i.e. fire damage)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Manufacturers
<ul>
<li><strike>Best manufacturer - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Materials
<ul>
<li>Filament</li>
<li>ABS</li>
<li>PLA</li>
<li>PETG</li>
<li>etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Makerspaces</li>
<li>Medical
<ul>
<li>Materials for medical use</li>
<li>Medical quality printing</li>
<li>Medical applications for 3D printed objects</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Health
<ul>
<li>Closely related, and may overlap with safety</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Safety
<ul>
<li>Fumes</li>
<li>Print material suitability for foodstuffs</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Non-3D Printing related
<ul>
<li>CNC (<a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10709/spindle-dc-motor-and-drill-bit-specifications-for-circuit-etching-cnc-machine">example</a>), (<a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10610/using-both-gcode-and-gbr-files-in-a-hybrid-3d-printer-circuit-etching-machin">example</a>)</li>
<li>Laser (<a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6214/laser-engraver-with-smoothie-ramps-1-4-or-awc708c">example</a>)</li>
<li>Routers</li>
<li>Vacuum Forming</li>
<li>Parts assembly (<a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3711/are-there-many-assembly-type-3d-printers">example</a>)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Misc
<ul>
<li>Not strictly 3D related, see <strong>Non-3D Printing related</strong> above</li>
<li>Anything 3D related
<ul>
<li>Connecting 3D printed parts - <em>For example, <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/54/what-is-the-best-way-to-connect-3d-printed-parts">connecting 3D printed parts</a> is currently off-topic</em><sup>2</sup></li>
<li>Coding - <em>For example <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3109/how-to-build-own-cura-gui">How to build my own Cura GUI?</a> - Coding Ultimaker Cura question, migrated to SO</em><sup>3</sup></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other
<ul>
<li>FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)</li>
<li>FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)</li>
<li>SLA (Stereo Lithography)</li>
<li>DLP (Digital Light Processing)</li>
<li>SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)</li>
<li>DLMS (Direct Laser Metal Smelting)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p><strong>Notes</strong></p>
<p>Admittedly, there will be overlap with some other SE sites and whilst we need to avoid the <em>too-broad-black-hole</em>, we should also welcome all things that are 3D Printer related, so as to keep all relevant knowledge in a central location.</p>
<p><sup>1</sup> WRT <strong>Components</strong>, and taking the <a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177/why-was-the-question-about-thermistors-migrated">thermistors meta question</a> as an example, my first thought is that questions like this should remain, as they are pertinent to 3D Printing, otherwise we <em>could</em> theoretically end up compartmentalising printers and migrating off a lot of stuff to SE. Electronics, SE.Engineering, SE.Hardware Recommendations, etc.</p>
<p><sup>2</sup> The same applies to the <strong>Misc/Anything 3D related</strong>, in particular the <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/54/what-is-the-best-way-to-connect-3d-printed-parts"><em>Connecting 3D parts</em> question</a>. Yes, as some of the comments state, you could remove the 3D printer part and then it is basically an engineering question. However, when taken as a whole, this question <em>is</em> pertinent to 3D printing of large models, in parts.</p>
<p><sup>3</sup> Also under <strong>Misc/Anything 3D related</strong>, Coding Ultimaker Cura <em>is</em> a SO type question, but it is <em>also</em> 3D printer specific</p>
<hr />
<h3>Additional suggestions in the future</h3>
<p>Instead of posting a new question, it <em>might</em> be a good idea to post an additional answer, containing the suggestion, to this question - in order to keep everything grouped together. This will save on the pain of having to go through all of the Meta questions as I have just done.</p>
<p>However, that might mean that the suggestion request would not have such prominence that it would do if the suggestion was posted independently as its own question... So (at the risk of duplication), if a new question/suggestion is posted, then it could be a good idea to also copy that new post and add it as an answer below.</p>
<hr />
<h1>Meta Suggestions</h1>
<p>These are the meta questions that I used to create the categories above:</p>
<h2><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=ask">ask</a> - 89 questions <em>in total</em></h2>
<h3>General scope questions</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain">What should our documentation contain?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope">What is our scope?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/239/what-is-your-opinion-on-se-meta-post-regarding-questions-that-cross-community-li">What is your opinion on SE Meta post regarding questions that cross Community lines?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/74/how-do-we-get-more-traffic-to-the-site">How do we get more traffic to the site?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain">What should our documentation contain?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/219/ask-about-recommendation">Ask about recommendation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/103/is-a-novice-question-on-a-specific-printer-allowed">Is a novice question on a specific printer allowed?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5/how-do-we-handle-recommendations">How do we handle recommendations?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/77/discussions-type-x-3d-printer-is-good-are-acceptable">Discussions type: X 3d printer is good? are acceptable</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/159/is-there-any-way-to-prevent-endless-best-first-printer-posts">Is there any way to prevent endless &quot;best first printer&quot; posts?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/219/ask-about-recommendation">Ask about recommendation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/179/another-approach-to-solving-purchase-questions">Another approach to solving &quot;purchase&quot; questions</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Software</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/172/is-a-question-about-software-to-create-models-on-topic">Is a question about software to create models on-topic?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Software Suggestion</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/252/software-suggestion-question">Software Suggestion Question</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101/questions-about-software-and-websites">Questions about software and websites?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/185/are-software-recommendation-questions-allowed-here">Are software recommendation questions allowed here?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>ask</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>
</ul>
<h3>CAD</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/204/the-fine-line-between-3d-and-cad">The fine line between 3d and CAD</a>
<ul>
<li>Followup: <a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/501/cad-questions-review">CAD Questions - Review</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Misc</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/21/are-questions-that-tangentially-involve-3d-printing-on-topic">Are questions that tangentially involve 3D printing on topic?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/147/hobbyist-machine-questions-on-topic">Hobbyist Machine questions On-Topic?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/217/generalized-questions-allowed">Generalized questions allowed?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/69/fff-fdm-vs-everything-else">FFF/FDM vs... everything else?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/67/fdm-printer-that-can-also-mill-and-engrave-whats-in-scope">FDM printer that can also mill and engrave -- what&#39;s in scope?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>CNC</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/182/wondering-why-cnc-questions-in-general-are-not-welcome-here">Wondering why CNC questions in general are not welcome here</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Printer not working:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/210/how-to-handle-why-is-int-my-printer-working-questions">How to handle &quot;Why is in&#39;t my printer working?!&quot; questions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/83/what-about-mystery-problem-troubleshooting-requests">What about mystery-problem troubleshooting requests?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/129/repairing-3d-printer">Repairing 3D printer</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Discovering 3D Printing</h3>
<ul>
<li>null</li>
</ul>
<h3>Print services</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/141/are-questions-from-people-who-lack-knowledge-of-3d-printing-looking-to-discover">Are questions from people who lack knowledge of 3D printing looking to discover how to have something printed on-topic?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/165/are-questions-about-online-3-d-printing-services-allowed">Are Questions about Online 3-D printing services allowed?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Model Feasibility</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/212/is-3d-printing-se-appropriate-for-getting-feedback-on-feasibility-of-a-model">Is 3D Printing SE appropriate for getting feedback on feasibility of a model?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Model Availability</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/260/are-questions-about-availability-of-3d-models-on-topic">Are questions about availability of 3D models on-topic?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Scanning</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/180/does-this-reworded-question-meet-the-se-requirements">Does this reworded question meet the SE requirements?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Bio Printing</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/123/bio-printing-questions-okay">Bio-Printing Questions Okay?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope">What is our scope?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>ask</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=topic">on-topic</a> - 56 questions <em>in total</em></h2>
<h3>Sharing Settings through out the community</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/145/are-questions-about-sharing-settings-on-topic">Are questions about sharing settings On Topic?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Printer construction - DIY</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8/are-questions-discussing-printer-construction-internals-and-firmware-on-topic">Are questions discussing printer construction, internals, and firmware on-topic here?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Legal issues</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/32/are-questions-involving-legal-issues-and-3d-printing-on-topic">Are questions involving legal issues and 3D printing on-topic?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/412/closing-questions-about-knock-off-printers">Closing questions about knock-off printers</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Filament/Materials</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/80/why-are-you-voting-to-close-this-question">Why are you voting to close this question?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/281/could-this-printing-material-recommendation-question-be-or-shaped-to-be-valid-on">Could this Printing Material Recommendation Question be or shaped to be valid on 3D SE?</a>  - <em>not in the <strong>on-topic</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>
</ul>
<h3>Laser</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/246/adding-a-laser-tag">Adding a &#39;laser&#39; tag?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/404/is-laser-etching-specifically-a-question-linked-below-considered-to-be-on-topi">Is laser etching, specifically a question linked below, considered to be on topic?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Thermistors</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177/why-was-the-question-about-thermistors-migrated">Why was the question about thermistors migrated?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Makerspaces</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/164/questions-about-makerspaces-and-3-d-printers">Questions about Makerspaces and 3-D Printers?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Mechatronics</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope">What is our scope?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>on-topic</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>
</ul>
<h1>Actual questions (not meta)</h1>
<h2><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=closed%3Ayes">Closed</a> - 73 questions <em>in total</em></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3109/how-to-build-own-cura-gui">how to build own cura gui?</a> - <em>Coding Ultimaker Cura question, migrated to SO: <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/40909403/how-to-build-own-cura-gui">How to build own Cura GUI?</a></em></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/54/what-is-the-best-way-to-connect-3d-printed-parts">What is the best way to connect 3D printed parts?</a> - <em>General Mechanical issue</em></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6338/interesting-project-for-a-child">Interesting project for a child</a> - <em>Opinion based, but it was a HNQ</em></li>
</ul>
<h3>Scanning</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5699/is-there-any-public-and-reasonably-accurate-3d-scan-from-a-cray-2-computer">Is there any public and reasonably accurate 3D scan from a Cray-2 computer?</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Laser</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10010/laser-is-engraving-the-negative-space">laser is engraving the negative space</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Legal</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10200/3d-printer-part-clones-from-china-legality">3D printer part clones from china - legality</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10204/fastest-fdm-printer">Fastest FDM printer?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Deleted</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/326/understand-and-developing-firmware-ide-help">Understand and developing firmware - IDE help</a> - <em>Setting up a development environment</em></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5836/whats-the-least-amount-of-money-i-can-spend-to-get-a-decent-printer">What's the least amount of money I can spend to get a decent printer?</a> - <em>Shopping</em></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5742/designing-a-safe-and-crush-proof-pokemon-playing-card-box-using-a-3d-super-elips">Designing a Safe and Crush-proof Pokemon playing card box using a 3D Super-Elipsoid</a> - <em>Migrated to Engineering: <a href="https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/21885/designing-a-safe-and-crush-proof-pokemon-playing-card-box-using-a-3d-super-elips">Designing a Safe and Crush-proof Pokemon playing card box using a 3D Super-Elipsoid</a></em></li>
<li><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/8057/resources-on-getting-horus-ciclop-scanners-to-work">Resources on getting horus/ciclop scanners to work?</a></li>
</ul>

[{'answer_id': 295, 'author': 'Sean Houlihane', 'author_id': 4927, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4927', 'pm_score': 3, 'selected': True, 'text': "<p>A couple of points:</p>\n\n<p>Asking for a machine to solve a specific problem, or software which can do something 'specific' is not really a shopping question, so long as the question is asked in the right way. We do need to avoid subjective questions, but sometimes this can be the result of a misunderstanding (i.e. find me a non-CN supplier of this budget Chinese printer {which also seems to be a decent product}).</p>\n\n<p>Topics which bridge into something like Electronics can be useful because the field is very large, and EE.SE makes an assumption of near degree level expertise. Useful answers here could be more 'off the shelf' routes to achieving what could potentially be fairly 'textbook' to someone with the right background.</p>\n\n<p>Same with making trivial changes to firmware, using a complex software tool for a trivial task, etc. If the task is common, relevant and bounded then a 'hand-holding' answer here will be much more valuable/findable than pushing questioners to a more specific site. Once people move from trivial use of these tools they may well end up needing to self-educate before they reach a point that EE.SE, or SO will accept their questions.</p>\n\n<p>We're at a difficult point between a mass market consumer product, and emerging tech. The IoT site has similar challenges.</p>\n"}, {'answer_id': 383, 'author': 'typo', 'author_id': 10684, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/10684', 'pm_score': 2, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>I pondered this question a while ago and tried to come up with a coherent and minimalistic strategy. This would be my suggestion, as to what is on-topic or off-topic:</p>\n\n<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/tCcAG.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/tCcAG.png" alt="Suggestion for topic policy"></a></p>\n\n<p>So, basically, on-topic would follow the formula:</p>\n\n<p><code>(formingMethod == additive OR substractive) AND (instrument == machine)</code></p>\n\n<p>Off-topic would have the formula:</p>\n\n<p><code>(formingMethod == transformative) OR (scale == mass) OR (instrument == human)</code></p>\n\n<p>This is just my suggestion and I invite everyone to put forward their argument, if they think, that a better strategy or community can be created, if the boundaries are to be moved or the criteria re-defined.</p>\n\n<p>Vacuum forming on an individual/batch scale, for example, would be a topic, that is close to the other "green fields". If we want vacuum forming to be on-topic, we would have to give up the "transformative" criteria. I\'m sure, there are other points like this.</p>\n\n<p>I also assume, such a strategy would have to be adapted in the future, when these methods have either matured, have been adopted by the masses, or other methods have been discovered.</p>\n'}, {'answer_id': 518, 'author': 'Davo', 'author_id': 4922, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4922', 'pm_score': 1, 'selected': False, 'text': '<p>I propose that we add <strong>Direct Ink Writing (DIW)</strong> and <strong>Melt Electro-Writing (MEW)</strong> to the list of on-topic subjects at <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic">https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic</a></p>\n<p><a href="https://labs.wsu.edu/mpml/projects/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Direct Ink Writing</a>:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Direct-Ink-Writing (DIW) is an extrusion-based additive manufacturing method heavily utilized in meso- and micro-scales. In DIW, the liquid-phase “ink” is dispensed out of small nozzles under controlled flow rates and deposited along digitally defined paths to fabricate 3D structures layer-by-layer.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p><a href="https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/melt-electrowriting-where-are-we-now/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Melt Electro-Writing</a></p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>MEW utilizes an electric field uniquely coupled with AM technology for the controlled deposition of a molten polymer jet, which rapidly solidifies into a fiber. These submicron fibers can be consistently laid on top of each other,  resulting in the ability to direct-write complex and multi-scaled architectures and structures, and overcoming the resolution challenge that a majority of other additive manufacturing technologies encounter.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>My request to have these additive manufacturing techniques added to the list of on-topic subjects is driven by the facts that:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><p>These are valid Additive Manufacturing processes; and</p>\n</li>\n<li><p>The company for which I work, <a href="http://hyrel3d.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hyrel 3D</a>, has customers (mostly at universities) using these processes.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n'}]
['https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/276', 'https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com', 'https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/']