Tag Archives: Batch

A totally imaginary interview

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It’s been an interesting year for RepRap/MakerBot.  We’ve seen demand for parts and electronics increase.  The MakerBot crew reported that for certain components they’ve actually cleaned out every source in the world.  I’m not sure which component they’re referring to, but I suspect it’s the toothed extruder pulley.  I love the idea that MakerBot has created a product garnering such high demand the entire freaking planet ran out of parts.

Can you imagine giving an interview after such an announcement?

  • Reporter: Guys, this has been a great year for MakerBot.  What are your plans for next quarter?
  • MBI: Gosh, we’ve got so many ideas!  The community has been hugely supportive and their rate of contribution and development has helped us so much.  Right now we’re splitting our time between production and development.  Batch 12, consisting of  about 147 robots, is out the door.  Batch 13 has already started to ship as the parts come in.  We’ve come a long way since the 22 robots of Batch 1.
  • Reporter: Fantastic!  What are your plans for Batch 14?
  • MBI: Dang, we were hoping you wouldn’t ask that.  Zero.
  • Reporter: I’m sorry – zero robots?  Why did demand drop off so suddenly?
  • MBI: Quite the opposite – we’ve completely exhausted the entire world’s supply of aluminum toothed pulleys.  We’re hoping to have some custom made, but at this point we’re competing with the Japanese for aluminum.  Some people suggested we start melting down soda cans for the metal.
  • Reporter: <incredulous> You’re competing with the Japanese?
  • MBI: Not every Japanese person, but the automotive industry, sure.  For a while India looked to be a competitor, but with the strength of the rupee I’m just not expecting that much competition.  We’re far more concerned about the ability of Chinese to scale their production to meet demand.  Fortunately, we think we’ve found a toner cartridge factory willing to switch over to aluminum toothed pulleys.
  • Reporter: <even more incredulous> Wait, wait, wait…  You’re concerned about the ability of an economy of one billion people to scale production to meet the needs of a DIY robot kit start up???
  • MBI: Concerned is a strong word.  The Chinese ambassador has been leaving us messages about this issue.  When we finally got around to returning his calls he assured us they’re up to the task.  I’d say we’re cautiously optimistic.

Winning for losing

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The poor guys over at MakerBot just can’t win for losing.

People just begged for pre-orders.  Now people are upset they have to wait because of pre-orders!  Without pre-orders everyone would be guaranteed a longer wait time.

  • When you place a pre-order you get a place in line.  Otherwise you just have to be the fastest clicker when they post the new kits.
  • When you place a pre-order they can use those funds to get your parts, get parts for the next batch (while they work on yours), or, heaven forbid, eat.
  • When they get to use your funds to get parts for the next batch, that means they used the funds from the prior batch to get your parts.  This means your wait time was shorter because of pre-orders!

If you pre-order a MakerBot it may feel like you’re waiting a long time for your kit – but waiting on a pre-order is so much better than waiting for a sold out product to be placed back in stock.  In the meantime, there are so many ways to get ready, participate, and contribute.

Seriously, get started right now!  There’s not a moment to lose!

Differences between MakerBot Batch 9 and 10

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Someone recently posted on the MakerBot operators group that there were some minor steps missing on the MakerBot Batch 10 instructions.  Just so you know the three things that person pointed out were fixed almost immediately.  You’re NEVER going to get that kind of service from IKEA.

In any case, this gave me the idea of perusing the Batch 10 instructions to see how they differ from my Batch 9 ‘bot.  Here’s what I’ve noticed:

  1. Different build order.  The Batch 9 ‘bot instructions show the body being built first, then the XY stage, then the plastruder.  Batch 10 shows the XY stage, then body, then plastruder.  I think you could probably build the Batch 9 ‘bot in the Batch 10 order without a problem.
  2. Different Y stage caps.  Batch 10 ‘bots appear to be using an Y stage cap that has more room for the pulley that rides on the Y stage.  My guess is that this will probably buy you a few precious millimeters of print space.  (The pictures say X stage end caps…  but it looks like the Y stage to me.)
  3. Different Y stage pulley.  Unlike my batch 9 bot, these instructions show assembly with a manufactured toothed idler pulley.  I have no idea what benefit is conferred by having teeth on that pulley.  Perhaps it is less prone to slipping on the belt?  Perhaps it makes it easier to tension the Y pulley without disassembling the Y stage?
  4. Different X axis pulley.  This manufactured toothed idler pulley looks similar to the one on the Y stage.

Why the toothed idler pulleys?