Tag Archives: time

So what are you going to make?

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I remember the first time I heard this question.  I was babbling to a friend of mine about how I wanted a MakerBot.  His response was to ask:

What is it you need that you want to spend $1,000 getting?

My first inclination when I hear this question to say, “Anything.”1

My second inclination is to step back, think about it for a moment, and then wonder whether I am going to ever actually print $1,000.00 worth of stuff. 2

Thanks to Jeff Keegan for unintentionally reminding me to post this.  :) 3

  1. Sometimes I’m tempted to respond, “Anything I damn well want, Nosy Noserton.” [↩]
  2. Although, at this point, it would be closer to $1,250 of stuff… [↩]
  3. That bastard. [↩]

Optimal RepRap sizes

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To my thinking there’s basically two optimal RepRap sizes (in terms of build area):

  • A small RepRap with a build area just large enough to replicate it’s largest part, one at a time
  • A large RepRap with a build area large enough to print all of it’s own parts in a single print job

Random tangent:  wouldn’t it be cool if all RepRaps came with the designs for their own printed parts already on board?  Just fire it up for the first time, calibrate, and start printing replacement parts.  (I realize this isn’t quite feasible – in order to be ready-printable the files would need to be in S3G format and the machine would have to run the STL’s through it’s own Skeinforge settings).

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!

Peanut Butter Mousetrap design notes

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I treat this blog as part of my lab notebook on printing and designs to help keep me organized.  Having it automatically add tags, adding a time stamp, organizing everything in chronological order, and then making it available for others to learn and comment back are all just a huge bonuses.

Anyhow, here are some of my design notes for this Peanut Butter Mousetrap Insert:

  1. I was going for a minimal design – minimal plastic, printing, and machine time.
  2. I wanted something that would be “ABS warp” resistant.  Even if you end up with a warped flat surface, clamping the insert between the lid and the jar should even it out.
  3. I wanted a resilient design.  Even if the insert is badly warped after clamping down, a flat surface is not critical to its function and it should still work.
  4. I wanted something that could be adapted easily.  I don’t know how to use OpenSCAD, so a parametric design is kinda out the window.  Even so you could print this object at full size and then cut it down to what you need.  1
  1. For the record, I did download OpenSCAD before designing this.  I just wanted to get it out there. [↩]

Burn with me

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Doctor Who - "42"

Doctor Who - "42"

I’m really looking forward to my blow torch/clogged extruder barrel adventures.  Obviously, it will take place (1) outside (2) on a wide patch of cement (the non-flamable variety) (3) with a friend, hose, and fire extinguisher handy. 1  Since I haven’t had any time to do unclog it this week, I’ve been thinking about it all week.  And every time I do I remember this episode of Doctor Who and the phrase, “burn with me.”

A MakerBot, a blow torch, Doctor Who, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  Pinch me!

  1. Photo courtesy of BBC. [↩]

Dear Polly – I can’t believe I’m writing to you again…

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My friends are telling me to give you another chance.  They say you’re not so bad, that if I just put in the time things will work out.  They say you’re capable of being faithful too…

Maybe there was just too much pressure on our relationship.  Heaven knows we let things get too heated sometimes.

Was I expecting too much from you?  I thought everything would be magic and come out smelling like roses.  Things seemed to work fine at first, but they quickly turned into a big gooey mess.

Polly, I’m so confused.  After all we’ve been through, I get all choked up…  I just don’t know how I can take you back so soon.  And, well, Abby has always been there for me… 1

Truly,

MakerBlock

  1. Well, for the month and half I’ve had my MakerBot… [↩]