Some Great Resources

The good thing about all the issues my Mendel has been facing is that I have found some truly great resources for troubleshooting some common issues. I'll be posting these here and on a separate page so that they will be easy to find.

Software/Firmware
Make Something! Printer Firmware

Electronics

Update: Prototype design teaser

Here's a whole bunch of design teasers to hold everyone over until I can post pictures of the first group of printed pieces:

- It will be a delta robot since I want to offer a large print space.

- Roughly 50-75% of the parts will be printed. <-- This may bring the final cost down if I can find a good supplier of ABS.

- The print envelope will likely be at the very least 8"x12"x 20".

- Electronics will be mounted on the rear of the unit.

Day 17: Software Issues, Educational packets and Cat Toys

After attempting to install the RepRap Host software with no success, I've gone with ReplicatorG. As not everything is wired and connected yet, I haven't been able to test the printing capabilities of this programme. No biggie, just another delay. Cue the throwing of high heels around my work space. Joy. I've been fiddling around with the software and I've pretty much decided that this will be the software I will include with the kits. Of course, you don't have to use it but until I come across something I like more, I'll be using ReplicatorG.

I've begun outlining what will be included in the educational packs that come with the classroom kits. Besides the obvious assembly manual, I will also include a list of recent articles about 3D printing and what it's being used for (Legally I cannot distribute the actual articles without permission from the author(s). If I manage to get their permission, I will include the acutal article and not just a link.), worksheets on electrical componenets and how they are being used in the machine, ideas on how the printer can be used to supplement traditional learning, and some other items. I will also be giving you the option of having the materials on a thumbdrive or in print. The default, for environmental reasons, will be a digital copy.

On a completely, although still slightly related note, my cats, Jack and Peanut, have decided that the print bed is a delightful place to lay their heads and that timing belts make excellent chew toys.

Day 1

Work Done: Casing designs For a free product, Google Sketchup is doing a good job of letting me design a casing for the printer. I wanted to get this step out of the way since I'm still waiting for my massive haul of electronics and parts to arrive from various corners of the world. So, it might not be the slickest of CAD drawings but the first casing concept doesn't look too awful. I'll finish cleaning it up a bit whenever I get a chance and fine tuning the design as my parts arrive, my mood changes, whatever. Here's the concept for the casing:

I'm working on a slightly differnt casing design as well that I'm pretty sure is the result of staring at cars and reading car magazines for a good portion of the day and listening to a mix of club music and who knows what else.