Monthly Archives: July 2010

Closed!

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Thanks to MakerBot for retweeting my MakerBot poll.  The number of responses basically doubled in a single day.  It’s been a busy day so I’ll go into more detail this upcoming weekend.  For now, I’m going to close the poll and show the questions:

  1. Why are you interested in MakerBot
  2. Have you heard or read about RepRap or RepRap.org?
  3. Have you tried to design anything in 3D?
  4. Have you tried to upload anything to Thingiverse?
  5. If you had a MakerBot, what would you want to download from Thingiverse and print?
  6. If you had a MakerBot, what would you want to design and print?
  7. If you had a MakerBot, what would you use it for? (Help starving children, make toys, make tools, etc)
  8. Why haven’t you purchased a MakerBot yet?
    • It’s not worth $1,000.00 to own an awesome robot.
    • It’s not worth $1,000.00 to make my own stuff with an awesome robot.
    • I don’t have $1,000.00 to spend on awesome robots.
    • I’m interested in MakerBots, but not interested enough to buy an awesome robot.
    • I don’t think I have what it takes to build awesome robots.
    • I fear awesome robots.
    • My parents were killed by awesome robots.
    • My friend has an awesome robot, so I just use theirs.
    • I don’t think awesome robots are that awesome.
    • Other (please specify)

Spacexula to the rescue!

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This poor guy gal known as “noobcake” had gotten so frustrated with his her MakerBot CupCake CNC that he she was getting ready to either strip it for parts to start work on a RepRap or just sell the entire thing on eBay at a loss.  It read like most of his her problems were coming from improper Skeinforge calibration.  Anyhow, that made me very sad.

And then I scrolled down.  Spacexula helped noobcake get his her Skeinforge calibrated and MakerBot printing reliably.  That’s really really fantastic, man.  Kudos.

Edit:  Apparently I have as much difficulty telling girls from guys online as in real life.  Sorry noobcake.  My bad.

Long winded ramblings and the iPhone

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I don’t own an iPhone but I have coveted them for years. 1  I got a new phone back in March and I’m very happy with it.  However, I had kept my old flip phone for about five years.  That’s long enough that old people were holding up their touch screen phones, sneering at me, and spitting on my shoes. 2 3 4

It was a great phone and I had a lot of fun with it.  If you wanted a ring tone you had to go through Verizon’s5 store and purchase a watered down MIDI of a song.  However, I noticed that I could do two important things (1) I could send e-mails to my phone and they were interpreted by the phone as text or media messages and (2) I could save sounds attached to media messages as ring tones.  So, I would convert MP3’s to WAV files, downtranscode them to be about 500K and only span about 30 seconds, and e-mail them to my phone. 6

My new phone is the Motorola Droid.  Unfortunately, Verizon won’t let you purchase the ‘Droid without a data plan7 and Google won’t let you enable it without a Google account8 , but neither of these is really that bothersome. 9101112  I would point out that the phone wouldn’t be terribly useful without either a data plan – but it could probably get along just fine without an associated Google account.  The data plan is $30 a month on top of my voice plan.  These issues aside, there are a number of perks.  Tons of apps, lots of them free, rich development platform, an attempt to make app programming accessible to everyone, and I can tether my phone to my laptop for free and unlimited broadband.  Not even Verizon’s broadband cards have unlimited data. 13

Which brings me full circle to the iPhone.  This clever kid designed yet another flashlight app for $0.99.  Apple approved it, no problem.  Well, it turns out the app allowed for free tethering of a computer to the iPhone to use the iPhone’s internet connection.  Yeah, that got yanked from the app store pretty quickly.

Let’s look at this from a cost benefit analysis standpoint.  How many people own iPhones and want to tether their phones?  I’m guessing not a large percentage.  I think 5% would be pretty high.  Yes, yes, you read this blog, wear glasses, and are a self professed nerd.  You’d be included in that small group – but really most iPhone users use their phones for (1) phone calls (2) e-mail/web surfing (3) music and (4) fart apps.  Overall, the number of people who are to get free tethering for their iPhones is probably pretty small.

If we can run with that assumption – does the following not sound like a reasonable idea:

  1. Kids publishes Flashlight App with secret tether capabilities.
  2. Apple gets wind of this and publishes an announcement that no one is allowed to build tethering apps and that they will delete from the marketplace any such app.
  3. The FlashTether app remains a relative secret and Apple doesn’t do anything more.

If Apple shuts down this FlashTether App, they’re just going to have to run through this all over again the next time some 15 year old kid uploads a fart app.  If instead they force it to be a secret, only those people who are (1) interested in free tethering and (2) are probably capable of either Jailbreaking or building their own app are going to know about this app and try to install it.

I don’t know, it just seems like a lot of work for no real benefit to Apple.  Then again, I don’t own any Apple products and they don’t give a damn what I think.

</endramble>

  1. That’s right covet.  Gettin’ biblical, baby. [↩]
  2. Or, that’s what it felt like.  People are strange when you’re a stranger.  Faces look ugly when you’re alone.  When you’re strange. [↩]
  3. Then again, I was walking across their yard… [↩]
  4. ANYhow… [↩]
  5. You’re big boys.  You don’t need a link from little ole me. [↩]
  6. Who’s got two thumbs and has a phone that plays Darth Vader’s Imperial March when his mama calls?  This guy. [↩]
  7. Boo! [↩]
  8. Boo! [↩]
  9. Then again, I’m not crazy about Google essentially knowing exactly where I am at every moment of every day.  Obviously, I don’t know for a fact they do this…  but it wouldn’t exactly seem out of character given their recent StreetView/WarDriving routine. [↩]
  10. Belch.  That makes me sick. [↩]
  11. Does anyone ever read these parentheticals? [↩]
  12. Where was I? [↩]
  13. Mu-ha-haha!  FIRE THE DROID!  And now Mr. Bond, I shall DOWNLOAD… the INTERNET!  <clap of thunder> [↩]

Hi Rez Printing Problems

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The stuff nightmares are made of: 1/4 of Disney's head

The stuff nightmares are made of: 1/4 of Disney's head

Earlier I had wondered about some of the challenges facing high resolution printing.  Specifically, I had suggested that a lower resolution would be better for overhangs, speed, and (after the suggestion of Erik) interlayer adhesion.

It looks like Dave Durant has a proof of concept with 1/4 of Disney’s head. 1  The layer height is unbelievably small – but as he points out:

Even smallish overhangs seem to be far harder to print at this layer height. I tried to print this one several times and it always went pear shaped as it got close to his chin, which is a pretty agressive overhang. Serious blobbage. :(

This certainly seems to demonstrate the flip side of my hypothesis – that thin layers are not good for printing overhangs.  I’ve been printing with a layer height of about 0.33mm.  This seems to give me enough resolution and overhang printability to make whatever I’ve needed so far.  However, I think it also gives us a reason to have several different configurations for a MakerBot for each kind of plastic:

  1. Thin layer printing
  2. Good overhang printing
  3. High speed/thick layer printing
  4. Printing small holes?

What other kinds of profiles would you suggest?

  1. Dave – your Flickr account says all rights reserved.  Obviously, I’m attributing this to you.  If you would like me to remove the picture, I will do so. [↩]

Clothbot’s distillation of OSHW

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I really like Andrew Plumb‘s distillation of the Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Draft Definition version 0.3.  I’d hate to see it get lost in Twitter history, so here it is:

  1. Documentation: Establish & facilitate the right to repair.
  2. Necessary Software: Operates using Free Open Source Software.
  3. Derived Works: The right to fork the project.
  4. Free Redistribution: Pay for parts, not permissions. No restrictions on the sale of parts.
  5. Attribution: Give credit where it’s due.
  6. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups: Respect is earned.
  7. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor: Make recommendations, not restrictions.
  8. Distribution of License: Share Alike.
  9. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product: The right to re-use.
  10. License Must Not Restrict Other Hardware Or Software: Play well with others.
  11. License Must Be Technology Neutral: The right to modify.

Edit:  See more amazing distillations, machinations, imaginations, and mastications at the Clothbot wiki!

I <3 UV LED

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Making a sonic screwdriver is all well and good.  I own a commercially produced version of the 10th Doctor’s blue LED screwdriver.  But, as a screwdriver it’s just crap.  As a flashlight, it is underwhelming.  Also, it’s not red, so it will kill your night vision.  There’s just no really good use or call for it.  That said…  I think it is fantastic.  I just am realistic that while I enjoy this thing, it serves no particular purpose.

But, what if I could have a small sonic screwdriver like device that had a purpose?  Well, then I suppose I would end up using it.  Thus, I came to think about how to make a potentially useless prop/replica useful.  I could add a screwdriver attachment to it – which would be damn hilarious.  I could make the light red instead of blue – so it could be used at night and not affect night vision.  I could make it super bright – so that it IS good as a flashlight.  I could make it so that it has a Tic-Tac-shakey rechargeable flashlight.  If it were a shakey rechargeable flashlight, it would be very useful in emergencies – since it would never be without power.

After consideration, I think the best use of a sonic screwdriver shaped device would be a flashlight that incorporated a shake recharger and some combination of a UV LED and either a a red (for night vision) or white LED (for a bright light).  And, space allowing, maybe even a hex screwdriver bit.  I could see how such a device, which would never need new batteries, could come in useful in a lot of situations.  It could be both frivolous and functional!  My favorite combination!

I don’t really know how to read circuit diagrams, but I think I could assemble the simple circuit from that instructible.  It shouldn’t be too much harder to add a three-position switch for the second LED.  Although, if I had to choose just one LED it would definitely be the UV kind.

MakerBot Hi Rez Printing Secrets revealed!

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Warning: All responses from Dave are real, in the correct order, and unchanged.  I may have embellished my questions and responses.

  • MakerBlock: Dave!  How do you spell your last name?
    • Dave: dduranT.. T!!!! :P
  • MakerBlock: How exotic!  I’m having trouble pronouncing the last bit, so I hope you don’t mind me just calling you “Dave.”  Well, how did you do it?  Oh, and what’s your favorite vodka?
    • Dave: Patience, practice, Grey Goose.
  • MakerBlock: In two words or less, did you print slowly or fast?
    • Dave: Really, REALLY fastly.
  • MakerBlock: Um, I guess that counts.   I mean, you did only use two words – but you used one of them twice.  And I don’t think “fastly” is a real word.  Did you run the extruder slow or fast?  Please be sure and end your response with a preposition.
    • Dave: Slow but not as slow as I expected I’d have to.
  • MakerBlock: Did you use a custom nozzle or the standard MakerBot nozzle?
    • Dave: I do have a 0.35mm hot end from makergear.com (props to makergear – much awesome to be found there) but haven’t installed it yet. I’m still using the 0.5mm nozzle from MBI.
  • MakerBlock: Could you describe your setup for us?  Please be sure and include at least one plug for your all-time favorite MakerBot / RepRap blog written by me.
  • MakerBlock: Dave, it’s been great having you on the show.  Thank you for coming to speak to us and we’d love to have you back any time.

New MakerBot high resolution record!

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MakerBot high resolution printing

MakerBot high resolution printing

Update:  Since this post others have achieved sub-0.1mm layer prints with their MakerBots as low as 0.075mm/layer

Ddurand123 has probably just taken the world record for highest resolution.  The current record holder is Rick Pollack at 0.15mm per layer.  Ddurant123 was able to print a 10mm test cube at 0.1mm per layer.

Dave!  How did you do it?

Did you print slowly or fast?

Did you run the extruder slow or fast?

Did you use a custom nozzle or the standard MakerBot nozzle?

Edit:  Dave, sonny abuut misspenning your nmae.  My bed.

My Ultimate Bag

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Bag without notes

Bag without notes

In college I used to carry a camera bag where I kept my stuff.  Car keys, notebook, pens, pencils, etc.  This was an old faux-leather camera bag my dad used to use years ago.  I loved that thing.  Unfortunately, it was stolen out of a friend’s car while we were at a concert.

Over the next few years I thought about what I liked about that bag, what I liked about other bags I had seen, and what I would want in an ultimate bag.  I wanted a bag made from tough canvas, hopefully as tough or tougher as denim, and preferably a khaki color.  I ended up going with a relatively thick canvas from a fabric store.

I also wanted a bag that was big enough to accommodate a full size 3″ binder (the type I thought I might use in grad school), small pockets, wide pockets, a large pocket, and a spot for pens and pencils.  It has thick nylon straps around the bag for holding it together and surprisingly expensive plastic buckles.  I sewed the entire thing with khaki colored upholstery thread.

Bag with notes

Bag with notes

If I were to re-make this bag, I would change several things:

  1. I would try to put the pen holder flaps horizontally rather than vertically.  When the bag is mostly empty the vertical pens poke the bag flap upwards.  I think the bag would probably fit better if pen holders were horizontal.  It would also make it easier to reach in and grab a pen when the top flap is buckled down.
  2. I think it would be pretty useful to have one or two small pockets on either side for stowing away a pen on the outside of the bag.
  3. I don’t really ever use both long pockets.  I’d probably nix one.
  4. I’m always using the four small pockets – they’re incredibly useful.  I’d definitely keep those.  However, I think they might be even more useful if they had a velcro flap to keep them closed.  I have a feeling velcro is a lot easier to attach than zippers.  On top of that, zippers can jam – velcro is basically all good.
  5. I would make the large interior pocket a little wider.  It’s about four inches wide – it could be widened to about six or so.
  6. I would absolutely, positively print all of the plastic buckles on my MakerBot.
  7. I would add a plastic lanyard/carabineer/key hook.  Sometimes I want to toss my keys in and don’t want to worry about them bouncing out (not that they ever have).
  8. When I sewed it together I used a setting on the sewing machine that put the thread seams really close together.  With the thickness of the thread and the closeness of the seams, this ended up essentially making perforations in the cloth.  I would still use thick canvas and thick upholstery thread, but I would set the seams to be wider apart.
  9. I’ve often thought that the bag would be a little better if it were lined or reversible.  If I’m going to line the bag, I might as well make it reversible anyhow.  If I did this, I would make one side black and one side khaki color.  I’ve used this bag as a pillow more than once – and having two layers would make it more…  fluffy.
  10. I’ve been caught in the rain with this bag on more than one occasion.  While this has never been much of a problem, I think a thicker canvas (perhaps the kind used as a painter’s tarp – the kind that’s partially sealed with plastic and/or rubber) would make an excellent water repellent version.
  11. I’ve taken to carrying zip ties in my laptop backpack.  They’re just always useful.  I think it would be nifty to have a long thin pocket where I could stash a few of these.  They would take up practically no room and also act like ribbing.
  12. Have you ever taken a good look at those luggage tags at the airport?  Whenever I go to an airport, I always snag several of them.  They are springy and very very difficult to break.
  13. I would definitely use a much wider carrying strap.  I think something about three inches thick would be ideal.  Perhaps seat belt strap material?
  14. What about a spot for sticky notes (already there in the small pockets), a cell phone, sunglasses, bluetooth, or camera?  Maybe a spot for my sonic screwdriver…
Custom Every Day Carry Bag
  1. My Ultimate Bag
  2. Custom Every Day Carry (EDC) Bag
  3. Sewing Practice
  4. EDC Bag Materials, Designs, Etc