The joys of summer and beginning 3d Printing

A friend of mine sold me a 3D printer so my sons who are very into technology can learn how to use them and the hope is we can print the necessary parts for their school's Technology Class can build their own 3D printer. 

I've had the printer sitting in it's box for several months other than checking out that everything was in the box, as we didn't have the room to set it up. Well we made some room and set it up on the dining room table and I bought a special controller for it.

Well the controller didn't work like it was supposed to, I'm not sure if it is the controller or the firmware for the 3D Printer.  It is one of the original Robo3D Kickstarter printers, so it's not quite as advanced as the newer models.  So the boys and I got it hooked into one of their laptops, downloaded the necessary controller software, and after fussing with getting the Y-axis properly adjusted, we got the printer to home and level properly.  Then we had issues with getting the filament to track properly.  We got that fixed by using a slightly stiffer filament, then we had problems with it popping out of it's feed track.

Now remember, my house hasn't had central air conditioning or heating since my air exchanger fan went kablooie and the repair guy took my fan housing and never came back.  So we only have A/C in the bedrooms using window units, which is actually cheaper.  Before with Central  Heat and A/C my electric bills were over $600.00 a month, using window units and space heaters, my electric bill is under $150.00 a month.

Anyway, here we are in the dining room, trying to get this 3D printer to level and home then feed properly.  It took us several hours in 95 Degree heat with 85% humidity, but we FINALLY got it to print off a calibration and test piece.

After that we checked a few things, and decided to try to print off a holder for the spool of filament.


After 3 attempts, we have given up for the night.  the boys have school in the morning and I am so over heated I completely soaked my clothes with perspiration.

Anyway, the boys and I are going to try it again tomorrow when they get home from school after Band and Football practice.  We plan on printing the spool holder, some brackets to hold the Y-axis rod and jack screws,  a case to hold the controller when we figure out if it's the printer's firmware or the controller itself that is the issue.  Then we have some other things we would like to print.  Me?  I found a printer file for a Millennium Falcon.  My son Matthew found some files for Robocop mini figures.  The twins are thinking about some custom cell phone cases.  I've been told that someone has a 6 piece Stormtrooper helmet file, that you print out the 6 pieces then glue them together.  I can really get to like that.

For now, the news is on, I just had a cool shower, I"m going to take my meds, schedule a few posts, then go to bed.

3D Printing

Jeff at Alphecca has something interesting you should read.  It' about how some persons are trying to block you from making something on a device you either rent or own.


New 3D Printer Software Blocks Gun Parts

Hollywood is already demonizing 3D printing

Printable firearms, 3D Printers and DRM

"A new patent, issued this week by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and titled 'Manufacturing control system', describes a system whereby 3D printer-like machines (the patent actually covers additive, subtractive, extrusion, melting, solidification, and other types of manufacturing) will have to obtain authorization before they are allowed to print items requested by the user."

This seems like a way to preemptively block the printing of anything deemed to be illegal.  Be it a weapon or a copy of an existing product or anything which in some way or fashion might resemble someone's existing patent, design or trademark.  My view of 3D printing is this.  It is currently the closest we have come to the Star Trek Replicator than any other thing to date.

By adding in restrictions such as this, creativity will be stifled.  Thereby stifling future enhancements of the technology.  For all we know, someone now experimenting with 3D printing could be the person who figures out how to print new organs for the human body.  Like a new heart valve or full heart.

But if we stifle the technology now, limit it and restrict it, how can new breakthroughs come about?  Who would want to experiment if something they are working on comes just a little close to someone elses patent but isn't quite there?  They could still be restricted from printing it, just because it comes close.  It sort of reminds me of stories from the former Soviet Union.  Where hundreds of researchers had their energies "channeled" toward a certain result.  Leaving no room for true innovation.  Seriously, look through the various articles on Soviet Military equipment as it compared to US and NATO Military equipment.  Soviet equipment was larger and less reliable using technology several generations out of date to US and NATO technology.  While we the US had stealth fighters and bombers, true laptop computers.  Much smaller communications equipment which had many more functions as well.

Are we really going to allow such protectionism to stifle true innovation?

And before you speak up claiming that true innovation isn't real, kind of like Obama's "You didn't build that" speech.  All innovation is built upon the innovations that have come before it.  So yes, without previous technology we couldn't create tomorrows technology.  But to limit the research and experimentation you might as well put true innovation in a box, nail it shut and bury it.

How many true innovations come from big giant labs?  Below are a few links about the origins of 3D printing, I suggest you read them.  How many of them are the result of research at big giant technology companies?  And how many are independent researchers and university students just experimenting?

So who invented 3D printing anyway?

The Effect of University Monopoly Licensing in 3d Printing 

The Rapid Prototyping Patent Museum

So who designed 3D printing?  Who designed the software to control the printer?  Who desigend the materials used in printing?

Too many things that are the result of experimentation by ordinary people.  If you restrict what can and cannot be created, you stifle creativity. 

And we are the poorer for it.

3D printing and a Warning from Peter

Peter has two stories, well maybe two and a half.  The first has two stories in one, one neato wow the other very heartwarming.

"We've spoken about 3D printing here on several occasions. I'm fascinated by the potential of this technology, which may replace a great deal of manufacturing as we know it. It's not unlikely that in a couple of decades from now, you'll literally 'print out' spare parts for your appliances or vehicles right at home, if you're into doing your own maintenance."

That is the two in one, then we have:

"In December last year I predicted that a major war would break out sometime in the next year. We're two-thirds of the way through that 12-month period, but I see no reason to change my prediction (in fact, I'm astonished that we haven't seen open hostilities yet!).

In line with my earlier predictions, note these recent developments in the Middle East."