Design process

I thought that it might be helpful to discuss the design process I'm using to carry out this project. One of the huge strengths of 3D printing is, of course, fast prototyping. So, this is the process I'm using. Sometimes called iterative design, I am creating designs, printing them and testing them "live" on the printer as I'm tuning it. 

This does mean that there is a burgeoning graveyard of parts that didn't make the cut, but each failure takes me closer to success.

I am trying to take an objective look at each requirement and come up with my answer to each, including some basic requirements of my own

  • Cable management to be integral where possible
  • Fitting to be adjustable where it is helpful 
  • Design to be easy to print; eschewing the need for support where possible
  • Try not to change things for the sake of changing; only where it brings an improvement
  • Where the changes bring new opportunities for additional functionality, try to incorporate this into the overall project plan.

For the journey, I am printing each part for speed rather than quality (you may well see that some of the photos aren't the prettiest prints). My plan is then to have the tuned printer print the final versions of its own components, replacing all of them once the project is over. 

Comments

  1. XJRangerAugust 17, 2020 at 4:10 PM

    Nice update! Do you plan to have a patron site?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3D-DesignsAugust 20, 2020 at 8:48 AM

      No, it's not something I'd really thought about. If this carries on and becomes popular then it might be something I'd consider.

      At present, it seems to be one of those projects that creates as many ideas as it solves.

      Delete
  2. quilefAugust 24, 2020 at 10:39 AM

    Hola buen dia queria hacerte una consulta, estoy empezando en esto de la impresión 3d y me compre una anet A8 plus, la verdad ya pude imprimir un cubo de calibración, pero no se como puedo controlar mi impresora desde mi notebook, ademas cuando la uso no funcionan los end de X, Y solo Z funciona bien mete mucho ruido y temo que destruya las correas dentadas, espero puedas ayudarme con tú consejo y expreriencia , de antemano muchas gracias

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3D-DesignsAugust 25, 2020 at 4:16 AM

      Perdona mi español. Esto es a través de Google Translate.

      No estoy seguro de haber entendido todas sus preguntas, pero intentaré

      Para controlar desde su computadora portátil, necesitará usar una conexión USB y un programa para hacer esto. No dice si se refiere a control o impresión (o ambos). Si te refieres al control, echa un vistazo a un programa llamado Pronterface. Le permite controlar el movimiento, las temperaturas, etc. y enviar GCODE directamente.

      Por el problema con el eje X. ¿Quiere decir que no se detiene cuando se dirige o que va demasiado a la derecha? ¿O que se está moviendo en sentido contrario? Si se trata de un problema de inicio, verifique que su interruptor de fin de carrera funcione correctamente. Puede usar Pronterface arriba para probar (google GCODE M119). Si va en sentido contrario, entonces el cableado está mal o el cinturón está colocado al revés. Si va demasiado a la derecha, entonces tiene la configuración incorrecta en su cortadora para la impresora (le ha dicho que su impresora es más grande de lo que es).

      Sugeriría unirse a un foro de impresión 3D como Thingiverse o uno de los Subreddits en Reddit.

      Delete

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