So ... 3d Printers....

[05SRT4]

Did you figure out a better way to print the cooling shroud?

[yotsuya]

Happens to the best of us. 

I have to blame you for this madness, my brother!

Sorry, not sorry!  The awesome thing is you have opened a TON of new doors in your building capacity. There ain't gonna be a thing on the planet that Yot can't build.

First thing I’m gonna do is print me a keychain that says Arrogant Tallywacker.

[yotsuya]

Did you figure out a better way to print the cooling shroud?

According to the file readme, the light version of the nozzle might cause print issues with the slicer. The zip also includes a thicker version.

[yotsuya]

Interestingly enough, I read a tip somewhere that said don’t heat the bed if using blue painters tape. Since Howard also said that I didn’t need to heat the bed anyways, my last couple prints have been running without a heated bed, and I have to say the parts just pop right off.

[yotsuya]

Is anyone using the latest version of Cura? I’m using 14.07 and wondering if I should upgrade.

[Howard_Casto]

That's something we both need to research.  When I first setup my printer the docs said to stick with that version, but that was over a year ago.  It's a stand-alone app, so I suppose multiple versions could run on the same machine.  Worth a shot.

[yotsuya]

You can do a concurrent install. I started a print with the latest version and it errored out after like two levels. Fired up 14.07, loaded the same .stl, and it printed no problem.

[Howard_Casto]

Hmm.... I wonder what the issue is?  It kind of sucks to be stuck on an old version.  Suppose I could switch to one of the pay versions of software. 

[05SRT4]

Finally dove into the multi color on single extruder printing. Doing it in simplfy3d was super easy. In the latest 4.0 update there is a process spliter that lets you set specific settings for individual layers. I just did 2 processes, after the first job the printer head moved to the side allowing me to swap out the filament, then I started the next process and it continued where it left of, super cool.

[Howard_Casto]

That's something I want to experiment with, thus the need to find a better way to change filament.  As-is I don't think I could change spools without moving the head. 

[05SRT4]

Been making badge holders for my wifes co-workers, 10 bucks a pop. Not sure if I am profiting anything, but ive had fun designing and printing them. (Superman logo was painted)
When I swamped out the filament it re-homed X and Y then went back to printing so moving the head wasn't an issue. Usually the motors will still be locked so I dont think it would move to much. But you guys did mention that your printers are a pain to change filament.

[Howard_Casto]

Here's a tip that I forgot to share.  If you are printing something you want to look nice and it's flat, print it face side down.  If you heat up the bed it will melt and smooth things out a bit. 

[yotsuya]

Been making badge holders for my wifes co-workers, 10 bucks a pop. Not sure if I am profiting anything, but ive had fun designing and printing them. (Superman logo was painted)
When I swamped out the filament it re-homed X and Y then went back to printing so moving the head wasn't an issue. Usually the motors will still be locked so I dont think it would move to much. But you guys did mention that your printers are a pain to change filament.

Care to share the STL? I want to make badge holders for this year’s ZapCon crew as part of their swag.

[yotsuya]

The last two things I’ve printed are things I created specific for my printer needs. I needed to retool the MOSFET holder and I needed to print a new back cover for the LCD case I printed (the stock cover was too big for the printed case). More later.

[HaRuMaN]

They have multipass badge holders on thingiverse... 

[HaRuMaN]

That's a good idea though.  I should print up some swag for visitors to the booth...  hmm...

[vwalbridge]

I want to make badge holders for this year’s ZapCon crew as part of their swag.

[yotsuya]

That's a good idea though.  I should print up some swag for visitors to the booth...  hmm...

I'm going to print you some Custer's Revenge figures. You're welcome.

[yotsuya]

I want to make badge holders for this year’s ZapCon crew as part of their swag.

Its going to double as the sticker holder.

[HaRuMaN]

That's a good idea though.  I should print up some swag for visitors to the booth...  hmm...

I'm going to print you some Custer's Revenge figures. You're welcome.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1682665

[05SRT4]

Care to share the STL? I want to make badge holders for this year’s ZapCon crew as part of their swag.

Attached. Its 2 parts, the inner part lays in the grooves. A little CA or hobby glue works great to hold everything together. The hole part on the blank side is to allow you to press the badge up to remove (slide out).
I left the inner part blank, let me know if you need help with a ZapCon \ BYOAC logo or something. Im getting better and better in Fusion

[05SRT4]

Alright, last one I promise. Im just super chuffed I was able to figure out the multi color stuff. After Howard made the comment about the bottom top layer I went through and leveled my bed again which helped with the top layer. No more random lines.

So the interesting thing about this one is that there were 4 G codes just for the middle section. (Blue base, Red Belt, White Stars, and Gold logo) I actually printed the base, belt, and stars first and knowing that my nozzle wasn't going to be near the bottom I printed the logo after everything was done. All I really had to do is take out the Home Z code on all the processes.

[yotsuya]

Sweet, thanks!

[yotsuya]

I just finished my first nine hour, super detailed, first thing I ever built from scratch print. I am hella chuffed., Pictures and details to come.

[yotsuya]

Wow, that looks nice!!

[yotsuya]

So I printed a case for the LCD on the A8. It was actually my second print of it since my belts were loose and the first version was out of whack. The second version was perfect, but the back acrylic piece was too big! Apparently Anet makes design changes willy nilly and ships whatever.

Undaunted, I imported the case file into Tinkercad and used it to design a brand new back piece that snaps into place (so its multilayered). I also incorporated a space for a 40mm fan if I decide to add it. Took me about 20 minutes total to knock out the design.

I loaded it into Cura, and ran the print. The first run started to look poor, so I canceled the print and slowed the print speed down to 30 (from 40). I also turned the heater bed on.

What a difference! 9 hours later, I had a beautiful, professional looking part that fit perfectly.

[05SRT4]

 

[Mike A]

That is one of the problems with 3D printers. They are great for many jobs, but they are super slow, at least the affordable ones are. A CO2 laser could produce that part in a few minutes. It would also be smooth and look like a finished production part. On the other hand, If you can only have one fabrication tool the 3D printer might be the most versatile.

Yots, you were producing usable stuff right out of the gate. It seems that the affordable 3D printers have graduated from the "print useless trinkets" phase.
I am going to have to pick up a 3D printer one of these days. There are many times I need a part that my laser is not ideally suited to.

Kudos to the work so far, and to the help you have received from the community.

[yotsuya]

That is one of the problems with 3D printers. They are great for many jobs, but they are super slow, at least the affordable ones are. A CO2 laser could produce that part in a few minutes. It would also be smooth and look like a finished production part. On the other hand, If you can only have one fabrication tool the 3D printer might be the most versatile.

Yots, you were producing usable stuff right out of the gate. It seems that the affordable 3D printers have graduated from the "print useless trinkets" phase.
I am going to have to pick up a 3D printer one of these days. There are many times I need a part that my laser is not ideally suited to.

Kudos to the work so far, and to the help you have received from the community.

Yeah, I had no desire to get one until Vigo introduced me to a really cool project that requires one. My friend Arcadenut printed me parts, but he uses his to make money and I didn’t feel right asking him to print me additional parts (though he would have done so without hesitation).

The guys here made it super easy to get mine up and running. That’s why I still come around even though I’ve outgrown MAME as a collector. Well, for that and the fishies.

[BadMouth]

So I printed a case for the LCD on the A8. It was actually my second print of it since my belts were loose and the first version was out of whack. The second version was perfect, but the back acrylic piece was too big! Apparently Anet makes design changes willy nilly and ships whatever.

Undaunted, I imported the case file into Tinkercad and used it to design a brand new back piece that snaps into place (so its multilayered). I also incorporated a space for a 40mm fan if I decide to add it. Took me about 20 minutes total to knock out the design.

When I want to test fit before doing the entire print, I'll just print out the first couple layers or however much is needed to check clearances.
If the part that needs test fit isn't on the bottom, just block off the rest of the design with a giant "box of empty space" in tinkercad.
The test parts are usually only 10 minute print jobs.

I bought some gauge blocks and got all psyched up to calibrate my printer, but it ended up being good out of the box.
I still have to play the high/low game with super precise parts, but I guess that's just the nature of the beast.

Buy a set of digital calipers if you don't already have them.  They make designing useful parts in tinkercad much quicker.

[Vigo]

Buy a set of digital calipers if you don't already have them.  They make designing useful parts in tinkercad much quicker.

This has easily become the one tool I use 10x more after 3d printing. I've also grown much more comfortable with MM measurements.

[yotsuya]

Buy a set of digital calipers if you don't already have them.  They make designing useful parts in tinkercad much quicker.

This has easily become the one tool I use 10x more after 3d printing. I've also grown much more comfortable with MM measurements.

Getting one right now!!!

[05SRT4]

+1 on the digital caliper, I picked on up from harbor freight and its worked great.

[yotsuya]

I ordered a fancy pants one from Amazon.

Ok, so here is the start of my first print on PEI or whatever the hell it is HaRuMaN told me to buy...

[Locke141]

Looks good Yotsuya. I have only used old 3d printers so don't know about the newer models but that looks really good.

That is one of the problems with 3D printers. They are great for many jobs, but they are super slow, at least the affordable ones are. A CO2 laser could produce that part in a few minutes. It would also be smooth and look like a finished production part. On the other hand, If you can only have one fabrication tool the 3D printer might be the most versatile.

Yots, you were producing usable stuff right out of the gate. It seems that the affordable 3D printers have graduated from the "print useless trinkets" phase.
I am going to have to pick up a 3D printer one of these days. There are many times I need a part that my laser is not ideally suited to.

Kudos to the work so far, and to the help you have received from the community.

I agree with Mike A on the above but having used both, if I had to pick one it would be the CO2 laser.

[yotsuya]

Thanks, Locke.

Leaving for work, 8 hours in, another 5 to go...

[Mike A]

Is there someone at home with a fire extinguisher handy? Those things have been known to burst into flames every once in awhile.

[yotsuya]

Is there someone at home with a fire extinguisher handy? Those things have been known to burst into flames every once in awhile.

Relax, I did the MOSFET upgrade for the heater bed and I put a fan on the power supply. I think I’m good.

[Mike A]

I am not being critical of your equipment or workmanship Yots. Production machines really shouldn't be left unattended. Just lookin' out for my bro.

[yotsuya]

I am not being critical of your equipment or workmanship Yots. Production machines really shouldn't be left unattended. Just lookin' out for my bro.

No, I get it. I was leery at first, but after using it for a while, I have not noticed any thermal issues. Also, my main board is a revised version of the original boards. They use better connectors. I also made sure to use crimp terminals for all power hook ups instead of just straight bare wire. Between the fans and the MOSFET, I think I’m good. But trust me, I did my research.