Part 3 - Maker Faire - I Purchased A Makerbot Replicator 2x, Again, and its on its Way!

(continued from Part 2)

Good News Everyone!  So I just talked to my contact, Dominik, at Makerbot, and tomorrow they are shipping me out my new Makerbot Replicator 2x!

So I should have it as soon as Friday, but more likely next week sometime. I'll make additional updates with the progress/out come once I receive the 2x and confirm its an actual Replicator 2x, dual extruder!  That's when the REAL fun will begin!

Dominik and the Makerbot support staff have been awesome and I'll be recommending them to all of my friends and co-workers who are looking to purchase a 3d printer.  That is as long as makerbot's shipping dept sends the correct one that is ;)

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Part 2 - Maker Faire - I Purchased A Makerbot Replicator 2x! I Returned a Makerbot Replicator 2!

(continued from Part 1)

I was panicking. Maker Faire was only this weekend and I had only purchased a 1 day pass! I quickly sent of an email to the Makerbot SOA, Dominik, who gave me his card when I purchased the 3dprinter. I made a quick post on g+ of my woes of how and of the frustration that I was now feeling and not being able to print because I had to pack everything up and hope I could get let into the fair so I could do an exchange for the right model. I couldn't sleep that night until at 4am I finally fell asleep exhausted.

The following morning I woke up bright and early, made a post to Make on g+ directly asking for assistance as the number on the receipt went straight to automation, and I also called the SOA who I also could only get his voicemail.

It was then i decided to get there at 10 when the convention opened and would call Dominik again to see if he could come get me at the gate and work this issue out.

I arrived, because of traffic, at around 11:15 depite leaving at 9:40 as it supposed to be a 30min car ride.  I had the for thought to bring a hand truck with me to carry those boxes back to the Maker Shed Store.  When I got to the gate, I believe Jennifer was her name, sympathized with me and told me if I couldn't ring Dominick she would walk me in over to the Maker Shed, which she eventually did.

I then found Dominick and he indicated that indeed I could return the printer but however because Makerbot shipping department they completely dropped the ball and had boxed up and shipped out from NY Makerbot Replicator 2's in what Dominick was told to be Makerbot Replicator 2x's.  I'm not sure if there is a problem with Makerbot's Shipping Department because of other similar instances you can watch a video about HERE where this guy is claiming he only received what appears to be a empty chassie of a Makerbot, (which I think sounds like more of scam to me, but with this snafu who knows!)  Hopefully when my unit is shipped out there will be nothing wrong.  I expect some heads are going to roll on Monday for the shipping snafu's.


So Dominick indicated they didn't have ANY 2x's so I just wanted to return the machine and get my card credited back.  Dominick from Makerbot and Product curator for Maker Shed indicated that it wouldn't be an issue to credit my card, it did take a bit of back and forth to do a return on their ipad store software but it was accomplished.  For my troubles (along with having to pay for gas, pay for parking and my time and effort to lug this box back up to San Mateo from San Jose where I live) The gave me a free spool of filament in my choice of color (black) as well as a getting started Makerbot book, and in addition free shipping when I order another 3d machine on Tuesday. (I'm calling Dominick to order and make sure I get a Replicator 2x)

This is why good customer service is KING no matter what business you are in.  There were other printers right by the Makerbot in the Maker Shed, including the Ultimaker, I could have at any point said "fuck it I'm through with Makerbot Industries and I'm going with another 3d printer.  But both Dominick from Makerbot and the Product Curator Michael from Maker Shed took very good care of me, and its the SOLE reason that I'm sticking with the Makerbot Replicator 2x and Makerbot Industries.

I'll make a new post if something goes wonky with the shipment of the new printer, or if I again receive a Replicator 2 instead of a 2x.

(continue to part 3)

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Part 1 - Maker Faire - I Purchased A Makerbot Replicator 2x! I Returned a Makerbot Replicator 2!

Hello Readers!  You might be a bit confused by the title of this post, please let me explain my adventure with attempting to purchase a Makerbot Replicator 2x from Maker Faire 2013 in San Mateo.

I've been wanting a 3d printer ever since I saw my first reprap in action and then the Makerbot Cupcake.  I was hooked.  However, I placed a few criteria that had to be met before I would purchase any of the 3d Printers.

These were:

1. Dual Extruder.  It had to have a dual extruder so that it could be able to print out two materials at once either for dissolving supports structures or for a combined material say a rigid plastic with a rubber stretch silicone material for unique models and structures.  Also if I wanted to print in TWO colors that would be nice too ;)

2. Large Build Area.  The Build area had to be at least as large as a sheet of standard paper, e.g. 8x10x8, but then I refined that at 8x8x8, so a nice large qube!  (This I deviated a bit from.)

3. Accurate.  I'm still going to at some point pick up (or maybe make) my own stereo lithography printer which is the ultimate in fine detail when it comes to 3d printing, but from the cupcake to the Replicator there has pretty significant increased in the resolution between version of printers.  I wanted at minimum 100 micron layer resolution.  

With those met I would purchase my first 3d printer.  So when last year at Maker Faire in San Mateo, I noticed they were selling the Makerbot Replicator which seemed to meet all my requirements except the build area which is 11x6x6, I decided to wait until the dual extruder version came out.  Then they announced they metal Replicator 2 and its twin with a dual extruder the 2x.  I made decision that if the following year they had the 2x instock at Maker Faire that I would pick up the printer.

I saved all year long, and when it came time to purchase my Maker Faire Tickets I did so with the thoughts of that weekend I would be printing 3d objects to my hearts content!  Then the weekend arrived and we raced out to the convention center in San Mateo.  

I had a wonderful day taking pictures using a rig I constructed out of a light changing pole which you can find here on my photography blog, http://www.cluniephotography.com and Maker Faire was almost over, so we headed to the Maker Shed and low and behold I was told they had the Makerbot Replicator 2x in stock! WOOT!

I discussed the pros and cons of the dual extruder vs the single extruder ultimaker, Hey Ultimaker if you would have had a dual extruder I would have gone with your machine as the prints looks ot me a bit "finer" than the makerbot. (this is something I think they're doing with their software, e.g., either better cutting objects up for a better print or their printers were really "dialed" in to show off the quality.)  I then decided the ability to print out two materials was far more important, and purchase the Makerbot Replicator 2x! I paid $2799 and carted the box home.

Much to my dismay when I started to unpack it at around 10pm I noticed a few oddities in the unpacking video and manual.  I quickly looked and found only 1 extruder nozzel!  I then looked at the front name plate, it said Makerbot Replicator 2! Noooooooooo! They had given me the wrong model!

(head over to Part 2!)

Makerbot TV S02E09 - Finishing Techniques

I haven't been following Makerbot Tv this season. I did come across an episode that answers the one question, that every maker of 3d printed objects has asked at some point.  How do I finish the objects that come out of 3d printers.  Here is the Makerbot crew explaining how they finish some of their projects.


I've heard of various other finishing techniques such as solvent dips, and other filler types where you more or less, as shown in the video, fill in the ridges to an even level using various compounds, such as clay, or automotive filler.  Then finished with a gloss protective coating.


Typically once you've created this "master model" a "master mold" is made out of silcone rubber and plaster and then copies are made out of various other materials.


Don't forget to head over to Makerbot.com and subscribe to their youtube channel if you want to follow all of the makerbot exploits.  


Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Makerbot TV S02E01 - A History Lesson

Looks like Season 2 of Makerbot TV is up and running.  Bre Pettis gives us a brief history lesson on the history of the how the makerbot came to be, as well as a small insight into the founding of Makerbot Industries.  


Again, i'm not sure if I'm going to follow every episode, but if a video is interesting I'll be sure to post it here.  I've detailed on previous posts, about the series and what I would like to see on Makerbot TV, hint, PROJECTS! PROJECTS! PROJECTS!  Well see if they decide to give us more substance this time around.  

Check out the video below:


  
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MakerBot TV Season1 Episode12 - Season Finale

Well it looks like its the end for Makerbot TV for this season that is.  This "season finale" ends on a whimper and give away a maker bot to someone who made a coffee cup topper with your (or whomever's) lips as the drinking spout! Um, Ew!  Also, Creepy if you ask me,  let alone driking hot coffee with something that may have imperfections and holes, leaks and bacteria just waiting to happen, let alone is is really safe to drink a hot liquid from?  Yeah its the same plastic as legos but I'm pretty sure they don't recommend you make food utencils or dining plates out of the stuff for every day consumption, let alone at high temperatures!  


The rest of the episode is again lack luster and ends with an "awards show" for various creations they've highlighted.  Meh.  Not sure if I'm going to watch for season 2 if this is going to be the format.  


I still think they need to go the "make weekend project" route, with host Kip Kay!,  well I'd rather see Bre take that mantel again.  That is after all what a  lot of people started with, the weekend projects from make magazine, and got them excited to actually go out and make things!  


Except for a few episodes there wasn't a whole lot of "project" material other than "look what we did" or "we're selling this now".  Call me jaded (but don't call me shirley) I just was hoping for more from this series and all I got was some fluff pieces with a few chunks of meat and gristle. Well here is the video in case you're curious:





Here is some bonus video that may help make up for the so so video above:











Now  that's what I'm talking about (sort of), the botmobiles are especially cool!  All these are at Makerbot Projects.


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MakerBot TV Season1 Episode11 - Educational Program

Here is another episode from the weekly video series over at Makerbot Industries. This weeks episode is all about education and specifically the program they've started to get makerbot into schools called Curriculum.  If you'd like to know more check out the video below and then check out the site Educational Curriculum: http://curriculum.makerbot.com/ or you can always Email the MakerBot Education Team: education@makerbot.com.

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

MakerBot TV Season1 Episode10 - Lets Talk Plastics!

Another great episode from the weekly video series over at Makerbot Industries.  This weeks episode talks about the three main plastics that can be used in the makerbot ABS(Lego), PLA(corn based bio-degrade), and PVA (water soluble).   There is also some info on the various settings you can start out with for each of the plastics and what you might expect for quality on some of the plastics and how to keep the PLA from wasting away from humidity!  So without further ado here is the video:



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Makerbot TV S01E09 - The Practical Application Episode (Finally!)

Episode 9 of Makerbot TV, from the weekly video series at Makerbot Industries,  is here!  Finally an episode that includes some actual benefits of owning a makerbot and clues you into why you would want one around the house.  


While most of the objects are indeed handy, and there are lots more on thingaverse, I believe its been stated on the forums for makerbot that the plastic, while "non-toxic" in its "cured form", shouldn't remain in contact with food stuff for lengthy times.  Also I'm not sure how safe a spatula would be considering the heat factor and the "remelting of the plastic", unless they're printing it in food safe silicon or some other food safe material of course!  


Regardless this episode illuminates what the future of small printable objects will be and instead of pop'n off down to the local hardware store for the latest "widget" to fix your "thingamabob" you'll just print out the item.  Don't worry about the hardware store they eventually might sell the very plastic spools of filament you'll need to print your objects, and of course other basic fasteners for larger projects!





BONUS! Here is Bre Pettis in a video titled Makerbotting 101.





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Makerbot TV S01E08 - Halloween and Hermit Crab Episode

Essentially this episode is, again, a little "lite" on content, but focuses on what you could make for the upcoming Halloween holiday. If I were a kid and got some piece of "Halloween" plastic ghost or pumpkin instead of candy that house would get egged for sure!  On the flip side,  instead making a spider ring or other accessories for your costume I think is more appropriate and proper use of a makerbot.


The second half of the video details the efforts of a group trying to provide hermit crab shells for hermit crabs.  Apparently there is a shortage of hermit crab shells "In the wild", I'm not sure if they mean pet shops or actually out in nature.  While it might seem noble I'm not sure if putting more plastic into "the wild" is the right approach, not to mention that the hermit crabs will make their homes out of anything that "fits" their current size really.  Also not sure how they came up with the data indicating the shortage.  You can check out more details here about the project.


Update: Apparently they are just protyping the shells in plastic and the final shell material has yet to be determined, and at this time no shells of any kind have been introduced "to the wild".  Again check out the above link if you would like more info on the project.





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Makerbot TV S01E07 - Bot Your Bike! - Pimp Your Ride Parody

Episode 7 of Makerbot TV, from the weekly video series at Makerbot Industries, has just been delivered.  This week the makerbot parody the "Pimp My Ride" MTV series and "Bot Your Bike!"  


The episode is entirely about creating items for your bike and the conversion of one bicyclists ride with the inclusion of a few trim pieces, accessories holders, and a full fledged makerbot running on battery! Neat!  


While the host this time around is a little "over the top", but "xzibit" was just as anoying on "pimp my ride", so I guess he's appropriate.  I'm still hoping for more "projects" episodes, which this is somewhat, so we'll have to wait and see what episode 8 will bring us!  
Runtime is 4:16.





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Makerbot TV S01E06 - Dual Extrusion MK7 (again?!)

Episode 6 of Makerbot TV, from the weekly video series at Makerbot Industries, has just been delivered.  Hmm, while this weeks episode is a bit informational, its rather light on actual makerbot "awesomeness" and is trending toward "infomercial" territory.  I would like to see more videos featuring the makerbot and something akin to make magazine "weekend projects"  videos rather than just a 5 min video of "hey we have brown filament and here is the MK7 extruder, ooo wow awesome", again.  I know I'd like it if the videos were longer and actually had projects featured. 


One nice bit in this episode is they do mention the updates to replicatorG ( 0026) and that older replicatorG code isn't compatible with the new 3.0 firmware so you need the 0026 update.


This video series has its good episodes but I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be watching these if the trend tends to be a 5 min info/fluff piece.  It almost seems like they're sitting around on a monday morning and say "oh nos! we have to do a video!"  Put some real substance in and if they run longer than 5min we'll be ok with that!


Oh well </rant> 


Here is the video in case you want to check it out for yourself. btw a mere 3:46 this time around...yah, exactly...

Makerbot TV S01E05 - How Artists Are Using Makerbot

Episode 5 of Makerbot TV, from the weekly video series at Makerbot Industries, has just been delivered to the masses.  This weeks episode features how two artists are using their makerbots in their artwork and there is also info on a contest where you too can win a makerbot!  Its an entertaining 4:52 min, so be sure to check out the following video and get perhaps get inspired to do some makerbot artwork of your own!





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Makerbot TV S01E04 - MK7 Extruder

Episode 4 of Makerbot TV, from the weekly video series at Makerbot Industries, has just been delivered to the masses.  While somewhat light on content this episode its still very entertaining.  This episode is primarily about the MK7 Extruder and its use of the new 1.75mm filament.


The MK7 is the "next big thing" for the makerbot machines, or any 3D printer machine based on the rep-rap model, because they've compacted the design so you can fit two into the same build area as the old stepstruder!  It should be noted that the MK7 itself doesn't have dual extrusion, you have to get TWO MK7's to do dual extrusion.


Dual extrusion, via the beta software, of two different colors of filament, or IMHO, two different types of plastics is a big jump forward for the home 3d printers!  The main reason you'd want to print out and item with two different types of plastics is that one plastic would be your end product while the second plastic could be some water based plastic that can be washed/melted/blasted away after you're done printing that's used as a support structure.  This use of a base plastic and a support plastic would allow for very complex prints in one go with out the need for assembly.  Very Cool.  Traditionally this was only available on high end 3d printers.


A Single MK7 is available for purchase and the dual extrusion software is still in beta(and requires two MK7's), but this new makerbot tech upgrade looks very promising.  Here is the fairly short video:





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Makerbot TV S01E03 - Maker Faire NYC

Over at Makerbot industries they're now producing a weekly video series of everything "awesome" about anything having to do with the Makerbot.

Makerbot TV episode 3 heads to the Maker Faire NYC of course! Check out all the 3D printed goodness featured at the NYC Faire and and the turtle racing track in action! Also the big news is that the new makerbot extruder the MK7 is a Dual Extruder! You can see some of the results in the video below such as the 3D printed Blue and Green Earth!


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8x8 Matrix LED and Solar Power Boards - Launchpad MSP430

For those of us with the MSP430 Launchpad Microcontrollers these two products may be of interest and can be found over at olimex.com.

The First is a 8x8 LED board that has connectors for the launchpad as well as other 8x8 Matrix LED boards.  These left sided connectors allow you to chain a bunch together to form a scrolling readouts, animations, or other cool projects.  You could configure them in alternate ways too with a bit of wiring or some bending, I'm thinking of a cube! Also each board has a buzzer and a microphone! Here are the specs:

• Launchpad connectors
• LED8x8 brick connector
• Microphone
• Buzzer
• FR-4, 1.5 mm (0,062"), red soldermask, white silkscreen component print

SUPPORTED DEVICES: all devices which can be used on MSP430-Launchpad
DIMENSIONS: 66x51 mm (2,6x2,0") 


You can find more info HERE.

The second product is a a Solar Panel Battery Charger.  This looks like it is to be used with a 1.2v single battery and will fully charge a 800mAh battery in 10hrs of direct sunlight.  So if you're designing a project with a lipo battery you can use this board to charge up your project when your power needs require it affording you have nice sunny days.  This could be adapted for many outdoor projects, e.g., low power monitoring station for a mini-greenhouse, lighting for the greenhouse, etc.  Here are the specs:

• SOLAR PANEL 2.4VDC 80mA with DC/DC voltage boost converter
• JTAG connector for direct plug in MSP430 2x7 JTAG connector to provide power for the target board
• suitable for up to 800mAh rechargeble battery, 800mAh battery will be charged to 100% if MSP430-SOLAR is left for 10 hours on sun light
• Dimensions: 56x48 mm (2.2x1.9")

You can find more info HERE.

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Makerbot TV S01E02 Is Live!

Over at Makerbot industries they're now producing a weekly video series of everything "awesome" about anything having to do with the Makerbot.


The second  video is up and weighs in at 5:03  min.  I was kind of hoping for a more in depth and longer episode, at least 15 min, but it looks like they're trying to fit everything into 5 min webisodes.  Even so be sure to check it out after the jump.

This time around the video highlights the preparations for the upcoming Maker Faire NY, the developer of the turtle shell racer (irl mario cart anyone!) Skimbal, how to calibrate your Makerbot for optimal 3D printing, and a contest where the best design for a Makerbot mascot will win a Makerbot! (see video for details)

Makerbot TV! - Episode 1

Over at Makerbot industries they're now producing a weekly video series of everything "awesome" about anything having to do with the Makerbot.  The first video is up and weighs in at 5:46  min, so be sure to check it out after the jump.


I absolutely love 3D Printing and would certainly like to have a Makerbot, however I always wanted a larger build area and higher resolution that can be had with the Makerbot.  The rep rap series, of which the makerbot was birthed from, does have larger build areas but they too have similar issues with resolution of the prints. As noted in the video you can sand and smooth the plastic with a bit of sand paper and then wiping down with acetone to smooth out the lines.


One new prospect of home 3D printing is using a normal projector and UV sensitive resin for really high quality and durable prints.  The only drawback I see with this design again the size of the build area, as you have to have a wide "vat of resin" and since the printing occurs "upside down" you'd have to have a pretty tall z axis.  The other questions regarding this method is how sensitive is the resin to light?  In the videos its pretty clear the resin sits behind a protective plastic filter.  Do you have to drain the resin when the printer isn't in use?  The creator hasn't said too much but that it should be comparable to today's home 3D Printers in the $1000 price range.  Here is a video of some of his work:





Of course you could always just print an object in pieces and then puzzle it together.  To be honest most of my print projects wouldn't be anything more than an 8x10 ish size anyways.  Regardless of which printer you use, or even if you use a service like shapeways or ponoko 3D printing is a great way to get your design ideas out and into the world and getting people thinking of new and exciting things to do with them.  It is certainly the next step in custom manufacturing I think.

First Steps with Arduino an O'Reilly Webcast

Over at the O'Reilly site senior editor Brian Jepson has created a webcast/podcast on how to get started with the Arduino Microcontroller, using one of the kits from the Maker Shed. Its about a 90 min video, very informative, especially for any who haven't played around with a microcontroller. 


The video was initially broadcast on 2010-06-16 and they were offering up a 15% discount on the three of the four kits, not sure how long they'll be offering the discount but if you've not picked up a kit yet this would be a perfect time to do so!

Enjoy the Video!

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