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free 3d printer

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  • computer guycomputer guy Posts: 1,113
    edited 2010-04-20 14:06
    A quick five minute version of the Propeller Beanie with the modifications suggested by mctrivia.

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    "powered by Propeller" domed stickers $1.50 - Find them here
    Check out my Design and Technology project for my Higher School Certificate www.ecosureblog.net

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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-20 14:11
    Want to put on thingiverse?

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • computer guycomputer guy Posts: 1,113
    edited 2010-04-20 14:38
    I'm thinking about it. I might convert it to STL tomorrow after I do some fixing up in blender.
    Then upload it to thingiverse. smile.gif

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    "powered by Propeller" domed stickers $1.50 - Find them here
    Check out my Design and Technology project for my Higher School Certificate www.ecosureblog.net

    The Sarah Myatt Fund - Help Sarah and Her Family Fight Quadriplegia HERE
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-20 15:10
    Have you tried printing? I don't think the blades will print.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-04-20 15:56
    This is my proposal using Alibre.
    It should be compatible with requirements. 3 parts. The pdf is a 3D one, so with a recent reader you should be able to rotate, hide parts and so on.

    Attached is an example image, the PDF3D and the Alibre stp file. I think all the features are compatible with the free version.

    Massimo
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-20 17:00
    Wow looks good. Are either of these hollow?

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-04-20 17:00
    20t0y2b.jpg

    Something quick I did today during lunch . . . not sure exactly how to do the hat color scheme . . . oh well . . .
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-20 17:08
    Could print in white and then paint it

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • DgswanerDgswaner Posts: 795
    edited 2010-04-20 19:48
    I use autocad for a living, as an architectural drafter, I LOVE sketchup, not only for work but for my hobbies as well.

    I equate sketchup to what I've writers say about the design process. you just write the story as fast as it comes, and then go back and fix the grammar and punctuation later. having to deal with the technical aspects interferes with the thought process.

    Sketchup is powerful enough, yet utterly simple enough to really hash out ideas. However it is called "sketch-up" for a reason. I usually import projects into autocad for fine tuning and adjusting. (grammar and punctuation).

    ....someone asked early on in the thread.

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    DGSwaner

    "When in doubt, use C4" - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster

    Post Edited (Dgswaner) : 4/20/2010 7:53:48 PM GMT
  • ScopeScope Posts: 417
    edited 2010-04-20 21:37
    mctrivia said...
    Could print in white and then paint it

    Well, I didn't make a correct statement. I should have said "I am unsure about the actual Parallax Propeller hat color scheme" because I know how to make it anything I want it to be. The blue section appears to be on each side, but, given the other regions (orange & yellow), and assuming symmetry (from the hidden side being 180 degrees out of view) the . . . oh, never mind . . .
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-04-20 22:11
    mctrivia said...
    Are either of these hollow?

    No hollow parts on my model. According to the printer specs it should be possible to bypass the 45 degrees requirements using supports, to be eliminated afterwards.
    Not so easy for an hemisphere, but it could be investigated..

    Massimo
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-20 22:22
    Was thinking if inner wall was 45 deg slope would make mostly like a hat and save plastic

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-04-20 22:24
    This can be done easily.. I'll update my version tomorrow.

    Massimo
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-04-21 12:04
    Take 2..

    Attached are the stl files, and the Alibre assembly to be modified.
    I didn't set general dimensions and formulas, so it would take a little bit to modify it, but it can be fixed.

    Massimo
    zip
    349K
    1044 x 849 - 59K
    1044 x 849 - 52K
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-22 08:14
    looks very impressive.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-04-22 08:22
    max72 said...
    If you want I can try to make it under Alibre.
    By the way, check the free version of Alibre...

    Don't see a free version listed just a trial. $200 is not to expensive though. But I don't have at the moment.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-04-22 08:31
    In the past they offered the Express version, for free, feature limited, but more than enough for start playing.

    If I understand correcly the trial will revert to the free version after 30 days.

    Massimo
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 18:23
    max72 i finally got my 3d printer working. turns out your hat has the y and z plains mixed up so it tries to print it on its side(which obviously does not work so well.)

    X is left to right
    Y is front to back
    Z is up and down

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-06-08 20:06
    Cannot you set the orientation on the 3D printing software?
    I'll rotate the assembly as soon as iI'll get back to my PC (1 day). If you are in a hurry you could try the free option. I'm pretty sure you can modify the assy orientation.
    Anyway, how is the printer? I'm pretty intrigued by the 3D printing world, and I think a review from your side is mandatory...

    Massimo
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-06-08 20:24
    By the way, I was thinking.. you don't need to print the assy, but the single parts. I'll try to export the STL files as single parts with the correct orientation, if it is ok for you.

    Massimo
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 20:28
    As a note for part designing you do not need to manually build the center up. For the hat if you just made the shape with the triangular inside i can have it automatically fill the insides to 20% fill to keep enough structure for the top.



    As for a review:
    The 3D printer is working great. The software is all open source and a little limited(at least on the PC versions. I hear the MAC versions are much better but I don't have a mac).

    It took me a month to get it working because I broke it 3 times in the process of assembling and testing it.

    First time I fryed the Z stage stepper control IC by spinning the stepper motor while plugged in. Very stupid on my part. Luckily I have enough nolidge to replace just the $4 IC and not buy a new $35 driver board.

    Second my idler wheel(which pinches the plastic to the drive gear in the print head) shatterd(both of them). They were just made of laser etched Acrylic and did not take well to being super glued to the skatboard bearing used to let it spin freely. After some recomendations I replaced it with an aluminum idler wheel

    Third time was while reassembling the print head with the new idler wheel I cracked one of the Acrylic pieces that guides the plastic into the heating chamber. This was easily fixed by super gluing the bottom half of the print head together(don't glue top half as it may nee to be disasembled later). Just a word of warning to be careful not to over tigten the screws.


    After getting it working I spent a considerable amount of time figuring out how to get good prints to come out. There is lots of good information about doing this it is just scattered all over. I have been compiling a step by step guide on how best to do this to help people in the future.

    As I type right now my printer is printing off a dremel attachment to my printer so I can do subtractive work also.



    The quality of made products is pretty good. You would need to do some sanding and or brushing with acetone to make smoth parts but right out of the printer they are strong and very accurately built.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 20:34
    As for the software I definitely plan to download and try it out. I am hoping I can assemble some parts for people and make the money needed to pay for it. But at the moment I am building some of the parts I need.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-06-08 20:40
    If you can use the 20% fill support structure you can also lessen the 45 degree contraint?
    Or the 20% fill is used in combination with the 45 degree contraint to have a self standing structure?

    I have to get a 3D printer too...

    Massimo
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 20:47
    The software automatically builds a honeycome structure on the inside and then at the top layers weaves the plastic over it. works well. the 45 deg constaint only applies to outer over hangs though i have seen a few designs that increase this by building a tower with a small gap between it and the printed object so it can easily be broken off.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-06-08 20:52
    I'm confident the Alibre demo reverts to the free version after the trial, and I think the hat is compatible with the free version, but we are only scratching the surface... a smart approach can exploit Alibre's power even in a feature limited approach.
    You can also drive a part from excel or from openoffice calc, calculate interference, and use a derived part as cutting tool.. you have full acces to the part history, and dimensions equation.... there is a lot of fun in a 3D modeler...
    The forum is really good, and if you need help contact me.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 20:53
    if your curious that hat design would use up 54cc of plastic. plastic comes in 3mm filaments so that is 15cm/cc. If my math is correct that means the hat would use up 8m of filament. For this reason I still have to babysit the prints. I wound the plastic onto a Cat6 cable reel but without having the box suspended directly above the printer it is not capable of pulling it out of the box itself. I plan to build a pully system to hopefully fix this.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-06-08 20:54
    so if you can automatically build a honeycomb structure the hat can be empty inside... it should save a lot of material...
    Massimo
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 20:58
    i can for sure hollow out the center if it is either
    a) semi sphere on top and a coan shape on the bottom
    b) semi sphere on top and flat on bottom.

    a would use less plastic then b(i think) and would make the hat werable(by stuffed animals)

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2010-06-08 21:03
    An option like:
    c) a semisphere, top and bottom, thickness 2 mm (or any working thickness), with the inner part to be filled with honeycomb in software?
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2010-06-08 21:08
    C won't work as it won't build the honeycome without a bottom. There is a support option though Wich may work or may become impossible to get cleaned up. Worth experementing though. Just finnished a 24cc print will have to do the math on what that cost me so I can make a guideline on what I would need to charge. Will make real cheap at first since I am currentl laid off and have lots of time.

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    Lots of propeller based products in stock at affordable prices.
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