Category Archives: MakerBot

All things MakerBot! MakerBots, RepRap, and robots!

MakerBot Cyclops scanner, and 3D scanner alternatives

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Looks like MakerBot has been quite busy on the wiki of late.  Clothbot just pointed out a new section on their wiki devoted to documentation for a 3D scanner called “Cyclops.”  From the documentation they system appears to work by projecting a series of stripes onto the subject.  An iPhone or similar camera then captures video of the object, and software extrapolates the size and shape of the object by detecting how and where the stripes fall on the object.  From a cursory reading of the wiki, it looks like Cyclops is essentially a lasercut wood framework for mounting the camera and pico projector – with all the heavy lifting being done by software.

Nearly a year ago I saw a video for Qi Pan’s student project, called ProFORMA, where a simple webcam was used, without the need for lasers, special backgrounds, or projected stripes, to capture video and extrapolate a point cloud to create a 3D image of a physical object.  Qi Pan’s page on the Cambridge website explains much more about the process and developments since it’s publication.  (Spoiler:  He uses math.)  The video showing the video capture and scan along with some wicked augmented reality effects.

Ever since seeing the demo video (See below), I’ve been hoping a MakerBot 3D scanner would use this software engine.  Apparently the only additional piece of hardware it would require would be just the webcam.  On a slightly related note…  a while ago I wanted to run my MakerBot in the other room but was too lazy to want to run back and forth to monitor it.  Solution?  I grabbed a webcam and clipped it to the Z axis platform.  I could now watch the XY platform zip around as it printed.

Unfortunately, there’s been almost no discussion of ProFORMA since November of 2009.

However, I did notice a similar product called Vi3Dim.  It appears to work similarly to ProFORMA – except that it requires a black and white checker pattern underneath the object to be scanned. 1 I was expecting it to be $529.99 or something, but it turns out that the software has a free demo and a full version for $20.  At that price, you really could have a MakerBot webcam 3D scanner on the cheap right now.  I haven’t tried it out yet, but their website says it can scan and export to a 3DS file, a fairly universal format.  The demo is almost as impressive as the ProFORMA video.  :)

What I like about both the ProFORMA and Vi3Dim scanners is that they:

  • Don’t require a steady rotation as with many of the open source 3D scanners out there
  • Don’t require a laser
  • Don’t require a special setup, beyond a black and white printed sheet or, in the case of the ProFORMA, nothing
  • Don’t need milk
  1. Fortunately, that checker pattern can be downloaded and printed from their website. [↩]

Fourth wall

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Yesterday, just as an experiment, I tried to blog all of my the MakerBot related ideas and reactions.  Here’s the result:

  1. Thank you MakerBot!!! [144 words]
    1. Thanking MakerBot for sending fluorescent red ABS and a spare parts kit along with my birthday order.
  2. Anticipation [140 words]
    1. Likening waiting on my application for the MakerBot blogger position to waiting for my grad school entrance results.
  3. MakerBlock’s MakerBot setup [376 words]
    1. Description of how my MakerBot is situated on a repurposed library card catalog.
  4. Why I want to work for MakerBot? [57 words]
    1. A few words about why I want to work for MakerBot.  I’m kicking myself for not including this bit in my application.  :/  Argh!
  5. Poll results so far [54 words]
    1. Of the poll respondents so far, one person wants MakerBot to hire me so that I will stop blogging so much.
  6. Plastruder MK5 plans released! [529 words]
    1. Thoughts on the new Plastruder MK5 plans – this was posted after someone noticed the MK5’s appearance in the photostream and wiki instructions, but a few hours before it was on their official blog or in the store.  Thus, some thing wondered about may not be accurate.  Fair warning.  Oh, and I included a picture of a Cyberman because Cybermen are cool.
  7. Plastruder MK5, now with 85% less heartache! [276 words]
    1. Don’t get me wrong – I love my Batch 9 ‘Bot.  However, the Plastruder MK4 has been challenging on occasion.  This is basically a list, with Beak90’s help, of all the problems the revamped Plastruder designs should resolve.
  8. Why should you buy a MakerBot sooner, rather than later? [280 words]
    1. I can see not jumping into a first generation hybrid car, digital camera, or MP3 player.1  When a product comes with such a clear2 upgrade path, nothing you invest in will ever be truly obsolete.
  9. Why Tweet? [64 words]
    1. When their slogan has to do with following others and having people follow you, “Bleeter” just makes more sense.  This post was inspired by my thinking about recent Twitter activity.  And, the only reason for my Twitter account and the people that I follow is because of my interest in MakerBot.
  10. MakerBot Business Idea #5 [237]
    1. I’ll cut to the chase here: The idea is to start a small scale small replacement/repair business and advertise at your local hardware store
  11. What’s the minimum cost to upgrade to a MK5 Plastruder? [95 words]
    1. Sourcing a minimum number of parts from MakerBot for the new MK5 Plastruder.  (Spoiler:  It looks like $106 in new parts.)  Guys, any chance we can see a Plastruder MK4 to MK5 upgrade kit?  I wouldn’t mind a MK4 to MK5 upgrade that excluded prior upgrades like the MK5 gear and relay board kit to reduce duplication for early adopters.  :)

2252 words blogged in one day – NaNoWriMo, here I come!

  1. I had to own the Rio PMP300 when it first came out in 1998!  And yet, I still have never owned an iPod or iPhone.  Go fig. [↩]
  2. And nigh inevitable [↩]

What’s the minimum cost to upgrade to a MK5 Plastruder?

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I figure to upgrade my Batch 9 MakerBot to use a Plastruder MK5, I’ll need the following:

$106.00 isn’t too shabby to upgrade to the most badass Plastruder2 money can buy. 34

  1. I’d ask Zaggo, Webca, or jrombousky to design it… [↩]
  2. Edit: Plastruder kit [↩]
  3. Especially when you essentially get to keep your Plastruder MK4 as a backup. [↩]
  4. You’d still need a few spare parts – but I’m sure that’s nothing we can’t scrounge from leftovers… [↩]

MakerBot Business Idea #5

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I’ve had a few ideas about how one can build a business around a MakerBot.

  1. Advice for a Makerbot based business
  2. Thingiverse based business idea
  3. Custom plastic cookie cutter business idea
  4. RepRap crowdsourced parts business

Well, here’s my latest idea.  Small custom replacement parts.  Not a new idea, right?  Well, it’s all about the marketing and how you reach and pitch to your target market.  Who is always out looking for small replacement parts?  When they do, where do they go?  What are their alternatives when they can’t find a replacement part?

I found the answers to all of those questions when I needed a replacement window latch.  Here’s the business model:

  1. Print up some universally useful parts, prime examples of your ‘bot’s ability to print
  2. Take said parts to your local neighborhood hardware store and ask to talk to the manager1
  3. Explain that you can quickly and cheaply fabricate nearly any small replacement part out of sturdy plastic2
  4. Ask them if you can put up flyers for your business and maybe even leave a few samples3
  5. Put up a website with a few examples of what you can print, how you solve problems with your Makerbot, things you’ve fixed, things you’ve replaced
  6. ???
  7. Profit!

What do you think?

  1. You’ll probably have much better luck with a mom-and-pop store than a big chain [↩]
  2. Throw or jump on said ABS specimen [↩]
  3. I’d even offer them a percentage of net [↩]

Why should you buy a MakerBot sooner, rather than later?

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A fair number of people I polled are waiting to buy MakerBots not because of money, but because they are waiting for the technology to mature.1  Is this you too?

If so, let me ask you this – would you be willing to spend $235 right now to play with a current “immature” technology MakerBot for an entire year before buying a full price MakerBot that’s more “mature” next year?

If you said yes, you need to buy a MakerBot today.

I bought my Batch 9 MakerBot in late November 2009.  In the nearly 10 months since then MakerBot has come out with a $50 heated build platform and the brand spanking new 2  more reliable $185 Plastruder MK5. 3  The only “difference” between my MakerBot and one you buy today with all the upgrades is that I got to play and experiment with a MakerBot for 8 full months more than you for an extra $235.  On top of that, I have all the parts for a complete Plastruder MK4! 4

$235 is a small price to play with a MakerBot for nearly a year.5 6 7

  1. Not to mention a small percentage of people whose parents were killed by awesome robots… [↩]
  2. As in released about 11 hours ago! [↩]
  3. I’m not counting the MK5 Drive Gear Upgrade Kit because that MK5 Gear is included in the Plastruder MK5 kit. [↩]
  4. This way, if any part of the MK5 fails, just drop the MK4 back in! [↩]
  5. Not to mention having a Plastruder MK4 on standby. [↩]
  6. That’s a $125 value FREE!!!  That’s right – FREE!!! Order now and we’ll throw in these high tech atmospheric pocket buffer equipment safety enclosures FREE!  That’s right – FREE!!! Just pay shipping and handling! [↩]
  7. High tech atmospheric pocket buffer equipment safety enclosures is bubble wrap. [↩]

Plastruder MK5, now with 85% less heartache!

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Of all the bits to get working on my MakerBot, the Plastruder MK4 was the most challenging.  There were so many ways for some critical component of the Plastruder to go wrong.  You could:

  • Cut the wrong length or resistance of nichrome wire
  • A small patch of nichrome fiberglass insulation is scratched off, creating a short
  • The nichrome is not wound close enough to the barrel, requiring extra power to heat
  • There’s too much space between the barrel and nozzle, creating a gap where plastic and build up and cause a blockage
  • Heat can travel up the barrel and plastic can ooze up the threads
  • Heat can travel up the barrel, plastic can pool and then cool causing a blockage, bulge the PTFE
  • The thermistor can burn out or short out
  • Heat can cause the thermistor or nichrome to become unsoldered or lose connectivity

From the description of the new Plastruder MK5, it sounds like the improved designs solve all of the above potential problems!

Update: Beak90 offered several other possibilities!

  • one could not heat it up enough and strip the PTFE threads.
  • one could heat it too much and cause the PTFE threads to fail.
  • one could put the thermistor in the wrong place and have it read the wrong temp.
  • one could wind the nichrome in 2 layers and have it not heat enough.
  • one could tighten the nut on the barrel too much and cause extra stress on the PTFE causing it too fail.
  • one could forget to say the required magical incantations before firing up the plastruder causing everything to fail.

And, one more I just thought of:

  • Fail to play Daft Punk

Plastruder MK5 plans released!

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The plans for the Plastruder MK6 look downright wicked

The plans for the Plastruder MK6 look downright wicked

MakerBot just released the photostream and wiki instructions for the Plastruder MK5. 1 This looks like a total overhaul of their original designs. 2

It is based on Charles Pax’s Paxtruder which has such a small form factor that it is possible to squeeze two extruder heads into one Makerbot.  The Paxtruder also uses a delrin plunger which is used to push the filament against the extruder pulley, rather than the previous idler wheel design.  I like the delrin plunger idea since it would be a lot easier to adjust tension and remove/insert filament.  The idler wheel held in by a large bolt and nut works… but is finicky and sometimes prone to fussiness.

Out are the big/small/weird and whimsical dinos in favor of lasercut acrylic “arches.”  There may be a benefit to the arches over the dinos, but I’m not sure what it would be.

The entire heater element and extruder head has been redesigned as well.  I don’t recall seeing any published designs which reference this new system.  We’ve all seen power resistors in use in RepRap/MakerBot projects – but they’ve usually been relegated to heated build platform designs.  Now a pair are being used as the full heating element in place of tempermental3 nichrome wire.  The problem with the old nichrome wire wrapped around the barrel system is that if you need to rebuild the heater, you’ve got to toss out the old nichrome since the insulation is going to get peeled off as soon as you pull it off the barrel.

The new MK5 system uses a PTFE sleeve to feed the filament down into the heater.  Interestingly, the PTFE sleeve is encased in a snug metal tube which should prevent any bulging problems.

My understanding of the instructions is that the MK5 is far less prone to failure than the previous MK4 model Plastruder.  I’ll grant the Plastruder is easily the most4  challenging component of the Makerbot to get working.

The instructions also hint at Generation 4 electronics.  Right now I’m rockin’ the Gen 3 which have served me quite well.  I wonder what the Gen 4 has in store?  One thing I have to really like about the electronics is that I know they’ll never really be obsolete. 5  If I wanted to upgrade to Gen 4, I can always print off a Mini-Mendel or Mendel, and swap in the new electronics.

However, if this new system is as resilient as the instructions describe, I’m on board.  I’m probably not going to have a good excuse to test out this new Plastruder design for a while since my Plastruder has been behaving itself since the last time I rebuilt my Plastruder and I just scored some spare MK4 parts. 6

  1. Photo courtesy of Johnson Cameraface [↩]
  2. A close tie for the photo was “Number 5 is alive!” a la Johnny 5 from Short Circuit.  I’m just too much of a Doctor Who fanboy to NOT use an “You will be upgraded” joke. [↩]
  3. Pun intended!!! [↩]
  4. Dang.  I’ve already used temperamental, finicky, and fussy…  Where’s my thesaurus?  Oh, that’s right – he’s out EATING Tony Buser’s Laser Dinosaur! [↩]
  5. Bite me Cybermen! [↩]
  6. Thanks again guys! [↩]

MakerBlock’s MakerBot setup

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I’ve posted about other people’s MakerBot work space set ups,1 but not much about my own yet.

Right now there’s a bunch of junk2 in the way so no pictures of the setup for now.  My MakerBot – “Bender,” a laptop3 , and a large long cardboard box with a wooden dowel running the length with badly cut cardboard spools holding what was once a 5 pound coil of black ABS4 , a very nearly 5 pound coil of clear PLA5 , and a full pound of white ABS I’ve never used. 678

All of this resides in our living room on an enormous former-library card catalog.  For those of you youngsters out there, a library card catalog is the kind of thing you see in the background scenes of Warehouse 13.  Imagine a huge chest about four feet tall that has lots of small, deep, drawers.  It is what libraries used to use to store information about their collections – an analog database.  Frankly, I didn’t realize the one I bought was quite so large. 9  It’s literally big enough for about six identical MakerBot/laptop/plastic coil setups to the one I have. 10  The drawers beneath the area where my Makerbot resides are devoted to tools and spare parts.  Right now the surface is covered in a number of unfinished projects and some totally finished projects.

Library card catalogs are super handy and useful ways to incorporate storage and a raised level surface for working.  The only problem is that these things are absolutely enormous and way way heavier than they look.

  1. Mattpr’s MakerBot cart , Tony Buser’s “Tea” #481 [↩]
  2. FYI, junk = stuff waiting to be made into other, more useful or more amusing stuff. [↩]
  3. Named Bleys, if you must know. [↩]
  4. I would guess I’ve used about a pound over the last 8 months.  5 pounds is a LOT of plastic.  Dear faithful ABS, oh how I love thee… [↩]
  5. Polly!!!!!!!!! [↩]
  6. Though, I have very specific and immediate plans for it. [↩]
  7. More on this later if you remind me.  I have a tendency to get lost in nested footnotes and parenthetical references. [↩]
  8. Seriously, just imagine what my PHP code looks like.  Yikes! [↩]
  9. Or far away.  Or would become so expensive.  That’s a story unto itself. [↩]
  10. I best get printing more MakerBots, no?  Hmm…  I might have to print more laptops too… [↩]