Haz MakerBot… now what?

3D Printing & Imaging
Haz MakerBot… now what?
hfmakerbot1c.jpg
hfmakerbot2c.jpg

The Twin Cities’ communal workshop, the Hack Factory, bought a MakerBot CupCake 3D printer. Working for about six hours, some of my cohorts assembled the X and Y stages and partially installed the assembly in the body. With any luck we’ll be printing this time next week.

We’re all excited to finally have a 3D printer in the shop. I myself have a backlog of awesome projects that I want to print:

• Ball-chain gears… any kind of gear is good!

• I have no specific project in mind for this Geneva wheel but it’s super cool.

• Mini Dremel lathe!

• This Arduino case looks super handy.

• This printable Dremel mount looks like it has potential.

• Modular boxes would be great for storing small things…

• I’ve been eager to do a test print of Andrew Plumb’s Lego clones.

• These Animal pentominoes look really awesome.

• Mendel parts: The promise of cheap fabs is that one could theoretically print a large percentage — maybe even one day ALL — of another 3D printer.

• These Mechanum wheels look like an awesome addition to a robot project.

4 thoughts on “Haz MakerBot… now what?

  1. JohnA says:

    After the initial build I would update the firmware, make sure you can control it via RepG, do some test extrusions, make sure all the axis are moving the right way (and freely.)

    For a first print I’d start with something like Spacexula’s calibration set: http://www.thinigiverse.com/thing:2064

    Be prepared for some tuning and some frustration, and print a spare insulator retainer once you’re up and running. :)

  2. MauiMaker says:

    Those are the first things to try making. The 20mm cube is a bit boring, but is a good proof of function, and great way to tweak your settings (when you get that far). The shot glass is the reason the maker bot came to be originally, so you need to make a few, and then use them to toast your success.

    The twisted boxes are one of the coolest semi-functional things to make and show off. Even non-techies get all ohhh-aaaahhh over them. Try the twisted heart to share with significant others who dont understand why you are gaga over that stupid machine. They have been a big hit at various events where I demo’d GoldBot.

    A heated build platform is a good thing to have… i think. I haven’t completed mine yet.

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My interests include writing, electronics, RPGs, scifi, hackers & hackerspaces, 3D printing, building sets & toys. @johnbaichtal nerdage.net

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