SimpleSi Posted July 11, 2014 Author Posted July 11, 2014 Just did 1st print - a companion cube from thingiverse - 5 sides were fine but bottom layer messed up I think the "raft" that it lays down got too stuck to the base and it pulled off THe printer is plug and play but software took 30 mins to install and appeared to hang several times but eventually finished! Simon
AngryITGuy Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 Thanks for the update, please keep us posted with how you get on. How long did that print take? All being well we should be ordering the MarkerBot Replicator Desktop version on Monday.
AngryITGuy Posted July 14, 2014 Posted July 14, 2014 We've just ordered the Experimental Makerbot Replicator 2x. All being well it should be here in a couple of days for me to try out.
SimpleSi Posted July 15, 2014 Author Posted July 15, 2014 Definintely an issue with this raft business The Companion Cube model took 40 mins to print - its a 40mm cube so not going to be printing 15 models per 1 hour lesson The software has obviously been set to give medium quality at medium speed but with no way of adjusting any parameters. The webcam doesn't work over WiFi (note in box about this - upgrade coming) so its very much a nice looking beta product that nearly does what it says in the advertising blurb The form factor is nearly ideal but it comes with no top (they have found it works better without) so possible for little fingers to get in when you've got your back turned It comes with translucent PLA so final objects don't look great but I've got found the coloured reels so will be attempting something a bit nicer looking I've put a support call in about the raft issue Simon 1
RTi Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Simon, Have you tried printing without a raft? you may not always need one... Take a look at ProfTweak .. it lets you modify the MakerBot profile settings.. Nothing Labs (Rich Olson): Introducing ProfTweak - a MakerWare profile editor
pcstru Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I think the "raft" that it lays down got too stuck to the base and it pulled off Why use a raft? What can happen is that PLA warps and the edges start to lift up. You don't need much lift for the hot end to start interfering with the previous layers. The best solution to that is to use a heated bed. 1
GoPrint3D Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Hi Simon if you are using the MakerBot Mini then the parameters can be changed. You have to create a profile then you can alter things such as the speed the machine lays down the raft and the initial layers of the print, this will hep it stick to the print bed better. The software is set on medium settings to give a pre defined print quality but as the Makerbot brand has stemmed from an open source back ground you can change nearly all of the settings in the Profile section of the software. As for the print speed, yes you are correct you aren't going to get 15 modes per 1 hour lesson, but if you view the Printer as a similar tool to be use alongside a CNC machine, milling machine or laser cutter but for rapid prototyping and design, production and evaluation then 3D Printing does offer excellent speeds and output. If using in a primary school the main benefit is engaging the pupils in the CAD aspect as often his is the first experience they have of this, designing Mincraft style Zombies or buildings is ideal. 1
SimpleSi Posted July 15, 2014 Author Posted July 15, 2014 I tried creating a profile but it failed so I just gave up on it - its been a VERY busy weekend for me I'll try again tonight Simon
SimpleSi Posted July 15, 2014 Author Posted July 15, 2014 I tried creating a profile but it failed so I just gave up on it - its been a VERY busy weekend for me I'll try again tonight Simon PS I nearly reported you as a spammer - good job I didn't Ta
GoPrint3D Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Hope you have some success tonight, with the settings and print. If you don't have any joy and want us to look at some setting with you please let us know. 1
SimpleSi Posted July 15, 2014 Author Posted July 15, 2014 I can edit the profile - which is good Tried setting Raft to false - that didn't work out well - bit like a Start Trek The Movie transporter accident!
pcstru Posted July 16, 2014 Posted July 16, 2014 I can edit the profile - which is good Tried setting Raft to false - that didn't work out well - bit like a Start Trek The Movie transporter accident! What is the bed on the machine? You could try the blue masking tape to improve adhesion or a very thin coating of diluted PVA (I use ~1:5), both will improve adhesion of PLA. The other thing to look out for is the height of the hot end from the bed on the first layer. If it is too high, you won't get good adhesion, too low and you get a very small lip on the first layer and unwanted extrusion on rapid moves (drool!).
SimpleSi Posted July 16, 2014 Author Posted July 16, 2014 @pcstru This is a plug n play 3D printer It comes with the blue masking tape I realised that it came with an .stl model called calibration box so I just printed that out this morning and the raft came off nearly 100 % - sharp knife would remove the little bits remaining. So I'm thinking that I may have just used two wrong test models for my first prints! Both the Compandion Cube and Die have patterns on the bottom layer so I'll try doing something a bit more like what a prrimary pupil would create and see how that goes Simon
SimpleSi Posted July 18, 2014 Author Posted July 18, 2014 So printed a few things and its safe to say this is not a machine to use for engineering protoypes The raft sticks to the object and its only truly removable using a sharp knife so its not a process that primary children can be left to on their own. Sometimes, the PLA "dribbles" - forms a little ball somewhere that then hardens and then the extruder hits it during rest of build process with very variable impact on the final print But the plug n play nature of the machine is superb and primary pupils can use Google Sketchup, simply export to .stl file and then load the stl file into Makerbot Desktop and press print. I'll have to look around (or get help from you lot of course ) on even simpler software to use for Simon
Bananas Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 I suppose it depends on the school and teachers therein. Computer work in primaries seems a lot more hit and miss compared with secondary due to the lack of specialist teachers I suppose. Our 3d printer here doesn't get much use other than in "man parts waving competitions" I did 3D print a case for the Raspberry Pi's which worked rather well. If you have a good enthusiastic teacher you could get away with having one but for the majority I suspect it'd just sit there looking good when parents come to look round but never gets turned on category.
plexer Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 Really shouldn't need a raft for printing pla though I'm sure you'll crack it. Have you looked at Printcraft? Printcraft Ben 1
RTi Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 For software.. Autodesk 123D Design seems easy to use .. and theres an iPad App for it.
GoPrint3D Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 Tinker CAD is a very good package although it does have a community Shape generator element. The nature of TinkerCAD is drag and drop shapes along with grouping and it is very easy to use. Some primary schools are using the 3D Printers s part of an Enterprise module. Designing and making key rings and other gifts. Looking at the cost of materials per gram (from the pint software preview page), working out a sell price and profit.
SimpleSi Posted July 18, 2014 Author Posted July 18, 2014 Looks excellent although it does have a community Shape generator element. What do mean by although ??? Simon
GoPrint3D Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 I was referring to the community shape generator. Some Primary schools do not se the software as it is a community element and I do not believe it is regulated although the package is owned by Autodesk, others are quite happy using it and have generic log in addresses for pupils . It is a really good entry level piece of CAD software.
SimpleSi Posted July 18, 2014 Author Posted July 18, 2014 @plexer Mr Makerbot says it won't work without one (and I tried it) - and like I say - it came out looking like a ST transporter accident THis is a plug n play 3D printer that does what it does and doesn't do what it doesn't do Simon
SimpleSi Posted July 18, 2014 Author Posted July 18, 2014 @GoPrint3D Got you I don't even allow pupils to go on Scratch forum in school so will just ignore that part of it Simon
plexer Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 @plexer Mr Makerbot says it won't work without one (and I tried it) - and like I say - it came out looking like a ST transporter accident Simon Yuck in that case as always having to print with a raft is a pain, I don't believe it has a heated bed the specs say an injection moulded acrylic print surface I'd try a good coating of hairspray on it personally. Ben
SimpleSi Posted July 18, 2014 Author Posted July 18, 2014 I'm not using my expensive hairspray... I mean - I'll have to see if I can borrow some from my wife Simon - - - Updated - - - Firmware version 1.2 (from 1.1) just became available so I'm installing it Simon
plexer Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 I got a 26p can of tesco value lasts ages allthough I was using it on heated glass bed as well. Ben
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