What I am thinking of doing is making a Pi print server for the printer. It substitutes a pi for the SD card and enables control of the printer through your wifi connection or even over the 'net instead of the crude built-in interface on the printer:
https://learn.adafruit.com/astroprint-3d-printing/overview Greg -----Original Message----- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 1:07 PM To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Cc: Buggered Benzmail Subject: Re: [MBZ] OT - 3D Printing Did you think to build one yourself? I built my CNC machine and it was fun to do, there are lots of 3DP plans and parts sources to build various sizes and types. I know it is fast and easy to buy one, but if you are interested in 3D printing then I'm sure you would be interested in machine building! Now you need to make a little 3D scanner and replicate parts for the Benz. You can buy those too, or get an Arduino, a servo/stepper motor, a webcam, and a cheap laser diode and you can be in bidness for maybe $30 with a little tinkering. My daughter's boyfriend's roommate has a 3DP and just got a little scanner too, experimenting with all kinds of stuff. You can also use a collection of photos to create a 3D model of just about anything of any size and print a model (your head!). Keep us posted, I keep thinking I need to make one but have too many other things I am thinking I need to make... --R On 4/22/16 3:18 PM, Greg Fiorentino via Mercedes wrote: > I have been looking at 3D printers for a while now. IMO the technology has > matured to the point where the printers are practical, easy enough to use, > and reasonably cheep-cheep. There is an open-source design called Makerbot > that has been cloned by several companies. One is coming to my door today > made by Qidi Tech and sold by Amazon. It has 2 extruders and is capable of > using several different materials including PLA, ABS, various varieties of > nylon, and most any thermoplastic with a melting point below 280 C. > Properties such as strength, appearance, and ease of use depend on which > material is used. Many ready-to-print files are available at > thingiverse.com, and files can be compiled by (free) makerbot software from > sketchup files. > > The work envelope is about 6" X 6" x 9". It can print with a resolution down > to 0.1 mm, but some plastics can be surface-smoothed after printing to a > better finish by sanding or treatment with acetone. > > If any of you are interested I'll update you on results. > > Greg > > -----Original Message----- > From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Mountain > Man via Mercedes > Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 7:12 PM > To: Mercedes Discussion List > Cc: Mountain Man > Subject: [MBZ] OT - 3D Printing > > Has anyone done this? > i.e. something to 3D printer, scan, print, and get decent plastic part > replacement? > ...or has anyone read review of printed parts? > I should think that if GE can print a jet engine, plastic parts might > be decent, if affordable. > Thanks. > mao > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > -- --BB _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
