I decided to take a break from the writing (it was getting me burned out) and design and build a state of the art, larger format 3D printer for the hobbyists. Its nominal build size is 12 by 12 by 8 inches and it will be of interest to the group interesting in writing the software for a Prop based 3D printer. It takes only a 7/16 inch (11 mm) wrench to assemble and dis-assemble the entire printer! Its easy and requires minimal skill. Overall dimensions about 18 by 18 by 28 inches. So its a big table top machine. Very smooth operation. It has almost 80 ball bearings in it! Everything is on bearings for a very smooth and easy action. It is almost done and when it is I will post pictures on the discussion forum for the above software effort. Copies of the printer will be available to interested parties without the processor board but with motors (Nema 34) and optical limit switches in place. I am hoping to keep the cost to under $1000.00 for a semi assemble kit. Semi assembled because otherwise it would be too large to ship inexpensively. It would take a huge box. H
My budget is $100 for a Prop based 3D printer. Can't you scale the DIY kit down, make it more affordable, use more common resources, and bring it into the range of Propeller hobbyists?
This is getting off topic ...but...Though it might be possible to scrounge together an inexpensive printer it would be very difficult
to impossible to put one in production for $100.00 for everyone.
Consider this as beginning costs estimates for a minimal system.
And I mean so absolutely minimal like you would NOT want.
4 minimal motors $40.00
Stops, 3 optical $15.00
At least 40 bearings at $1.00 $40.00
Extruder $60.00
Structural members
Connecting hardware
Rails
Machining costs. There will be some
Handling
Labor
Design time and expertise.
Maintain a viable spares program
$1000.00 for everything but the processor is tight and not at all out of line for a large solid printer
Commercial units this size offer better resolution but are in the $30 to 40K range
My quotation from internet CNC shops were ridiculously high. In the thousands! For a simple machine!
So much so that I was forced to convert my small approx (6 by 25 table) manual mill to a 2 axis
CNC mill to do the work I needed done.
Its Prop based with DC servo motors and works like a champ. Follows G codes and canned cycles.
Its easy to modify (the great part)
Harprit
Thanks for putting more perspective on the resources necessary to create a 3D printer using mechanical technology. Perhaps I need to wait for the next generation technology machine. I imagine it would form the image using a type of Hologram that can be solidified.
Humanoido
Frank, good find. Getting the cost down to $500 is a step in the right direction. I figure eventually these will go for $29 just like some HP printers. However, the cartridges could cost $129 to make up the cost.
Frank, good find. Getting the cost down to $500 is a step in the right direction. I figure eventually these will go for $29 just like some HP printers. However, the cartridges could cost $129 to make up the cost.
That last would be truth in advertising. You don't buy HP inkjet printers, you are buying an ink di$pen$er.
Here is a progress report on the book
Today I finished writing the last chapter.
Now I need to go back and check everything and revise as needed to reflect everything I have learned
Pick up mistakes
Run all the programs again to make sure they work
Then get a really good index done by a professional outfit.
Get the first copies printed.
Ship
Does any one have a recommendation on a professional indexer
Does any one have a recommendation on a good printer
If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around.
Thanks to everyone for the help given me. Without your efforts.............
I helped my best friend, Cliff Osmond, format his book, "Acting is Everything." We used www.lulu.com. It all went very smoothly. By purchasing their world-wide distribution option the ISBN was handled and the book is available through any brick-and-mortal supplier or online retailer.
If I decide to self-publish "JonnyMac's Propeller Attack!" I will go this route.
While it is not shown in your list of remaining things to do, are you planning to have this peer reviewed by anyone with significant experience on this device?
Here is a progress report on the book
Today I finished writing the last chapter.
Now I need to go back and check everything and revise as needed to reflect everything I have learned
Pick up mistakes
Run all the programs again to make sure they work
Then get a really good index done by a professional outfit.
Get the first copies printed.
Ship
Does any one have a recommendation on a professional indexer
Does any one have a recommendation on a good printer
If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around.
Thanks to everyone for the help given me. Without your efforts.............
Its really hard to do a good index and if you are going to have one it needs to be good. Really good and extensive.
McGraw Hill will not even let its authors try. They do it and charge you back! Big bucks. But you get a half ways decent index.
Word has an index generation capability. I tried it. I thought it stinks. But then again I'm not an expert. Anyways, its not for beginners.
re: If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around.
If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around
Yes its a book on SPIN for beginners
The parallax we site:Store: Microprocessors: Propeller: Books: has an extensive table of contents
Buy it from them
If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around.
I enjoyed your first book on SPIN and would certainly buy your new one on Assembly...
Part one primary resources The most basic question Caution Primary resources
The Propeller manual (PM)
Harprit Sandhu's SPIN language guide for beginners
The 36 page Propeller data-sheet
The Propeller Forum on the internet
The official guide to the Propeller by Parallax.
The Kindle and iPad The Propeller OBEX Hardware and software Note
Part two secondary resources
Parallax Serial Terminal and the Duplex Full Serial object
Professional Development Board
VOM and Oscilloscope The PAR instruction How the Par instruction works Accessioning COG memory Accessing HUB memory Further notes on using PAR command. Storing and reading variables for several cogs (three in this case) files with the PAR pointer. MCP 3208 and potentiometers Using the FullDuplexSerial Object and the Parallax Serial Terminal Reading analog voltages. Reading potentiometer(s) with the MCP3208 IC. Circuitry Improvements to the pot reader program.
Part Three Controlling Simple Outputs
Simple output
Introduction
General discussion
Binary Math
First program as a shell
Turning a propeller pin (line) on and off.
Experimentation
Blinking lines 0 and 1 alternately.
The PST, Interfacing to the PST
Seven segment displays
Speaker
Frequency Generation
PWM generation Creating Methods. Repeating code any number of times Creating “specific time” pauses. Controlling a hobby servo PWM generation for motor control.
Part Four Reading Inputs Reading inputs Read one push button (momentary contact). Count pulses.
Determine a frequency
Read a keyboard
Read an LM34 based thermometer
Read a potentiometer(s)
Part Five. The projects
Thermostat
Tachometer
Self leveling table
Generating a 440 cps tone
A Simple Metronome
A Clock Implementation
Part six The Appendices Reading Potentiometers with MCP3208 described in detail. Documented. Doing something a fixed number of times Waiting for lines to meet a condition De-bouncing PBs and Switches Calling an external PASM routine from a SPIN program Binary mathematics notes Parts needed list Epilogue Index
The PAR instruction How the Par instruction works Further notes on using PAR command. Storing and reading variables for several cogs (three in this case) files with the PAR pointer.
The Manual calls it Cog Boot Parameter register. I could go along with PAR pointer but insn and command are definitely pushing it.
My comment regarding peer review stands. Regardless of author, no book should have Parallax's endorsement without a serious peer review for both content and structure. PAR instruction?, duplex full serial object.
Also, given the book is about PASM, why would you even consider placing calling pasm routines from spin in an appendix for treatment as an afterthought? The whole idea is to use spin where possible and PASM for the high speed heavy lifting (in my opinion).
This is not the potatohead papers, daSilva tutorial, or PhiPi's trick and traps. You are asking people to part with real money here on the expectation of obtaining a certain information of an expected value level. You should have the book reviewed and vetted by some of the expert users AND offer the purchasers of this book the ability to return for full refund the cost within a reasonable time frame.
If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around.
Thanks to everyone for the help given me. Without your efforts.............
H
If the shipping costs to Germany are ok, i'm also interested.
Thank you for your comments. You always help me understand things more clearly. There are those that do and those that are constantly nipping at their heels. You can decide which group you fall in. It is a complete amazement to me that you can divine so much detail about the contents of a book you have not even seen much less read.
Consequently:
There will be no peer reviews. My mind is set. If not a word in the book is correct, there will be no peer review.
The book will be available only from me and from Parallax if they decide they want to handle it.
No Amazon. Amazon does not serve authors. They are killing the book industry.
$29.95 plus postage from me. It will be about 270 pages in 8.5 by 11 wide format. Bound professionally. No ebooks.
Chock full of hundreds and hundreds of lines of fully commented code for real beginners.
There is nothing sophisticated in the book. It is for beginners beginners beginners beginners.
They will decide if its any good.
No one is obligated to pay for my work.
There will be no refunds.
I promise I will not sell a copy to Frank directly under any circumstances. I recommend that he not buy it. It will be way too simplistic for him.
My next posting will be "They are in my hands, order yours"
Till then I am busy
Comments
My budget is $100 for a Prop based 3D printer. Can't you scale the DIY kit down, make it more affordable, use more common resources, and bring it into the range of Propeller hobbyists?
to impossible to put one in production for $100.00 for everyone.
Consider this as beginning costs estimates for a minimal system.
And I mean so absolutely minimal like you would NOT want.
4 minimal motors $40.00
Stops, 3 optical $15.00
At least 40 bearings at $1.00 $40.00
Extruder $60.00
Structural members
Connecting hardware
Rails
Machining costs. There will be some
Handling
Labor
Design time and expertise.
Maintain a viable spares program
$1000.00 for everything but the processor is tight and not at all out of line for a large solid printer
Commercial units this size offer better resolution but are in the $30 to 40K range
My quotation from internet CNC shops were ridiculously high. In the thousands! For a simple machine!
So much so that I was forced to convert my small approx (6 by 25 table) manual mill to a 2 axis
CNC mill to do the work I needed done.
Its Prop based with DC servo motors and works like a champ. Follows G codes and canned cycles.
Its easy to modify (the great part)
H
Thanks for putting more perspective on the resources necessary to create a 3D printer using mechanical technology. Perhaps I need to wait for the next generation technology machine. I imagine it would form the image using a type of Hologram that can be solidified.
Humanoido
This may tickle your fancy (whatever a fancy is...;)
http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1394&doc_id=243851&dfpPParams=ind_186,bid_26,aid_243851&dfpLayout=blog
FF
That last would be truth in advertising. You don't buy HP inkjet printers, you are buying an ink di$pen$er.
Today I finished writing the last chapter.
Now I need to go back and check everything and revise as needed to reflect everything I have learned
Pick up mistakes
Run all the programs again to make sure they work
Then get a really good index done by a professional outfit.
Get the first copies printed.
Ship
Does any one have a recommendation on a professional indexer
Does any one have a recommendation on a good printer
If you have an interest in the book could you drop me a line (no commitment) so that I can get a feel of how many books I need to print in the first go around.
Thanks to everyone for the help given me. Without your efforts.............
H
If I decide to self-publish "JonnyMac's Propeller Attack!" I will go this route.
FF
Lets see how it goes.
It will be about 260 pages
8.5 by 11 inches and no space wasted.
Every line of code is commented.
It would be a lot of work.
H
McGraw Hill will not even let its authors try. They do it and charge you back! Big bucks. But you get a half ways decent index.
Word has an index generation capability. I tried it. I thought it stinks. But then again I'm not an expert. Anyways, its not for beginners.
Harprit.
I'm in.
Put me down for a copy too. Really enjoyed your first book, and looking very much forward to this project.
Regards,
Steve
Paul
The parallax we site:Store: Microprocessors: Propeller: Books: has an extensive table of contents
Buy it from them
Harprit
I enjoyed your first book on SPIN and would certainly buy your new one on Assembly...
Here it is
Table of contents
Preface
Terms of use MIT license
Part one primary resources
The most basic question
Caution
Primary resources
The Propeller manual (PM)
Harprit Sandhu's SPIN language guide for beginners
The 36 page Propeller data-sheet
The Propeller Forum on the internet
The official guide to the Propeller by Parallax.
The Kindle and iPad
The Propeller OBEX
Hardware and software
Note
Part two secondary resources
Parallax Serial Terminal and the Duplex Full Serial object
Professional Development Board
VOM and Oscilloscope
The PAR instruction
How the Par instruction works
Accessioning COG memory
Accessing HUB memory
Further notes on using PAR command.
Storing and reading variables for several cogs (three in this case) files with the PAR pointer.
MCP 3208 and potentiometers
Using the FullDuplexSerial Object and the Parallax Serial Terminal
Reading analog voltages. Reading potentiometer(s) with the MCP3208 IC.
Circuitry
Improvements to the pot reader program.
Part Three Controlling Simple Outputs
Simple output
Introduction
General discussion
Binary Math
First program as a shell
Turning a propeller pin (line) on and off.
Experimentation
Blinking lines 0 and 1 alternately.
The PST, Interfacing to the PST
Seven segment displays
Speaker
Frequency Generation
PWM generation
Creating Methods.
Repeating code any number of times
Creating “specific time” pauses.
Controlling a hobby servo
PWM generation for motor control.
Part Four Reading Inputs
Reading inputs
Read one push button (momentary contact).
Count pulses.
Determine a frequency
Read a keyboard
Read an LM34 based thermometer
Read a potentiometer(s)
Part Five. The projects
Thermostat
Tachometer
Self leveling table
Generating a 440 cps tone
A Simple Metronome
A Clock Implementation
Part six The Appendices
Reading Potentiometers with MCP3208 described in detail. Documented.
Doing something a fixed number of times
Waiting for lines to meet a condition
De-bouncing PBs and Switches
Calling an external PASM routine from a SPIN program
Binary mathematics notes
Parts needed list
Epilogue
Index
There will be some changes of course!!
Harprit
Thanks
H
Also, given the book is about PASM, why would you even consider placing calling pasm routines from spin in an appendix for treatment as an afterthought? The whole idea is to use spin where possible and PASM for the high speed heavy lifting (in my opinion).
This is not the potatohead papers, daSilva tutorial, or PhiPi's trick and traps. You are asking people to part with real money here on the expectation of obtaining a certain information of an expected value level. You should have the book reviewed and vetted by some of the expert users AND offer the purchasers of this book the ability to return for full refund the cost within a reasonable time frame.
Caveat emptor,
Frank Freedman
If the shipping costs to Germany are ok, i'm also interested.
Thank you for your comments. You always help me understand things more clearly. There are those that do and those that are constantly nipping at their heels. You can decide which group you fall in. It is a complete amazement to me that you can divine so much detail about the contents of a book you have not even seen much less read.
Consequently:
There will be no peer reviews. My mind is set. If not a word in the book is correct, there will be no peer review.
The book will be available only from me and from Parallax if they decide they want to handle it.
No Amazon. Amazon does not serve authors. They are killing the book industry.
$29.95 plus postage from me. It will be about 270 pages in 8.5 by 11 wide format. Bound professionally. No ebooks.
Chock full of hundreds and hundreds of lines of fully commented code for real beginners.
There is nothing sophisticated in the book. It is for beginners beginners beginners beginners.
They will decide if its any good.
No one is obligated to pay for my work.
There will be no refunds.
I promise I will not sell a copy to Frank directly under any circumstances. I recommend that he not buy it. It will be way too simplistic for him.
My next posting will be "They are in my hands, order yours"
Till then I am busy
Harprit Singh Sandhu