The Everything 3D Printer Thread

[XJSuperman]

Good timing on bumping this thread, I was just looking into a small issue this morning:
My supports are bonded a little too strongly to my models in the P1S (but this may be a universal thing). From what I've read, it seems theres a distance I can adjust to reduce sticking/bonding in the advanced Support settings in the Bambu slicer. Does that track with everyone else's findings?

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

First time making threads...in this case 3/4-10 for some thread protectors. I always thought threads would require some special treatment to print correctly because they are more than 45 degrees overhang, but printing this witha vertical axis in Cura Just Worked.

FreeCAD 0.19 doesn't have a thread making function as such, but it's pretty dang easy to make a spiral feature with a standard thread form.

 

[Jehannum]

Printing one of these up to cast a new insert for the (now 5 speed) GTO shift knob.

The knob itself was turned out of walnut, and the 3/8-16 insert turned in aluminum. The plan is to cast the shift pattern in black resin, paint the raised areas, insert it into the knob, then coat the whole thing in an epoxy system of some sort. I'll burn that bridge when I get there.

 

[Jehannum]

In other news, I still haven't swapped my firmware on the CR-10 to Klipper. I'm still using Marlin via OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi.

I've since added a soft power relay in the CR-10's case so that you can just click to power in OctoPrint, and it'll automatically power down after 15 minutes of non-use.

 

[niget2002]

In other news, I still haven't swapped my firmware on the CR-10 to Klipper. I'm still using Marlin via OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi.

I've since added a soft power relay in the CR-10's case so that you can just click to power in OctoPrint, and it'll automatically power down after 15 minutes of non-use.

Heh. This sounds familiar. I have a whole new electronics stack for my larger 3d printer. Everything is still sitting in boxes next to the printer.

 

[Jehannum]

Heh. This sounds familiar. I have a whole new electronics stack for my larger 3d printer. Everything is still sitting in boxes next to the printer.

Honestly, Marlin and Octoprint do all of what I need. I'm not cranking out production parts, so time isn't as big a factor for me.

 

[jeepxj]

the remote kept getting lost in the couch.

so i put it in a couch.

 

[jeepxj]

 

[nicholam77]

Some wrench holders I designed from scratch (Tekton imperial and metric sets) for Gridfinity:

 

[ER70S-2]

I'm way more excited than I should be about these. I do a lot of fabrication and the magnets on my Harbor Freight lights are constantly covered in metal shavings. They're always so covered that I never want to stick the light to anything I don't want to scuff. These caps are TPU and can slide right off for metal shaving removal. They're printed in spiral vase mode with a 0.6mm nozzle and one bottom layer.

https://imgur.com/RyleoUH

https://imgur.com/RHfAiWK

https://imgur.com/n8Kk2o3

 

[ER70S-2]

I printed a bunch of mandrel bends and a few straight sections to mock up tailpipes for my car. Each mandrel bend section had indexing marks designed into them for measuring the clocking of each section relative to the next bend. After I had one fitting perfectly, I just duplicated them in aluminum (one being a mirror image of the other) and used some 3D printed parts for measuring and marking the metal tubes. This made everything go so easy and my tailpipes are perfect mirror images of each other and fit PERFECT. Of course I'm not thrilled with they way they sound, so I put the dumps back on. All that for nothing.

https://imgur.com/ON6eynP

https://imgur.com/oYmNTLg

https://imgur.com/yJHNHOQ

 

[mv213]

Some wrench holders I designed from scratch (Tekton imperial and metric sets) for Gridfinity:

Man, those are nice! Is the file available to download?

 

[nicholam77]

Man, those are nice! Is the file available to download?

Thanks!

I'm working on making them available. I need to fix a few dimensions on the Imperial version first, I can post back once I upload them. One nice thing is you can just mirror / flop the geometry in the slicer if you want a different orientation for your drawer.

I haven't implemented yet, but the indented strip in front of the wrenches is supposed to accommodate a thin piece of cardboard, foamcore, or even paper that you could print or write the wrench sizes on. I can't easily do multi-color prints so that was my solution for that.

 

[jeepxj]

 

[loganb]

Working on a holder for a 4 oz bottle of pipe dope and the associated thread tape




Need to make tweaks to the tape holder and hit print on the next revision

 

[jeepxj]

The problem:



The solution:

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Teaser picture of my custom printer...still working out the kinks

 

[loganb]

Tired of mixing funnels from bubbles to car stuff.... So to the internet we go

https://makerworld.com/models/400324

Works really well, printed in PLA. Will probably make some of the larger ones to have around for convenience

 

[Bob Heine]

Tired of mixing funnels from bubbles to car stuff.

Logan, not sure if it's available on Maker World or one of the other sites but my most used funnel screws onto most plastic screw-top bottles (24mm and 28mm). It doesn't reduce bubbles but overfilling the bottle isn't the usual mess. You pour the excess back into the container it came in. I bought a couple from US Plastics years ago but I can't find them on their site. The funnel fits the two most common size bottles, with the deepest threads being 24mm and the threads at the opening being 28mm.

I found a similar funnel with some dimensions.

I don't remember how much the funnel was from US Plastics but I know I wouldn't pay $15 for two of them.

Amazon.com

The ones I have hang on the bottles so I am less likely to put them in a totally logical place out of sight (and mind). Amazon has them for $4.75 but you have to buy four of them.

Amazon.com

I'm not sure one could be sued for patent infringement (it claims these are "patented").

 

[slodat]

Bob - this is where I've bought those funnels. I love them!

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

I got my aluminum bed mounted. It's definitely heavier than the glass one, 4lb 8oz vs 3lb 11 oz for the glass. I can't evaluate much flatter until I get the cable chain hooked up, but I know the heat is more even and calibration is off almost as much as the old one... I have to run 70C to get 60C, and Marlin firmware doesn't even have a way to calibrate the heatbed.

 

[loganb]

Logan, not sure if it's available on Maker World or one of the other sites but my most used funnel screws onto most plastic screw-top bottles (24mm and 28mm). It doesn't reduce bubbles but overfilling the bottle isn't the usual mess. You pour the excess back into the container it came in. I bought a couple from US Plastics years ago but I can't find them on their site. The funnel fits the two most common size bottles, with the deepest threads being 24mm and the threads at the opening being 28mm.

I found a similar funnel with some dimensions.

I don't remember how much the funnel was from US Plastics but I know I wouldn't pay $15 for two of them.

Amazon.com

The ones I have hang on the bottles so I am less likely to put them in a totally logical place out of sight (and mind). Amazon has them for $4.75 but you have to buy four of them.

Amazon.com

I'm not sure one could be sued for patent infringement (it claims these are "patented").

Bob - this is where I've bought those funnels. I love them!

Thanks for commenting Bob & Steve! I saw those and printed the thread test for this one:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/530906#profileId-447717

But the threads on the bubble wands was substantially smaller so I saved the model but wasn't sure if the funnels were worth it. Now that I hear they are I'll have to give a couple a shot!

 

[Jehannum]

I got my aluminum bed mounted. It's definitely heavier than the glass one, 4lb 8oz vs 3lb 11 oz for the glass. I can't evaluate much flatter until I get the cable chain hooked up, but I know the heat is more even and calibration is off almost as much as the old one... I have to run 70C to get 60C, and Marlin firmware doesn't even have a way to calibrate the heatbed.

Not sure how the carriage will cope with all that weight, let us know how it goes!

 

[Jeff]

I just started 3D printing, like 2 weeks ago. I needed a new hobby since retired. Aside from the normal chotskies, I like making functional items. I'm using a Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro.

18650 battery holders for the wife...

 

[Citation]

I just started 3D printing, like 2 weeks ago. I needed a new hobby since retired. Aside from the normal chotskies, I like making functional items. I'm using a Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro.

18650 battery holders for the wife...

I know you didn't ask but if those are unprotected cells (which they appear to be) please be very aware of the risk of a "vent with flame" incident. Li-ion cells pose a real fire risk if they are under voltage, over voltage or over current. That is why cells with built in safety circuits are offered. I would be especially concerned if those are being used in something like an aluminum flashlight where vented gasses can't escape thus increasing the risk for an explosion rather than just a fire.
/<looking out for our forum mates/unrequested safety rant>

 

[Jeff]

I like little drivers, I cannot lie

 

[Jeff]

Aside from the occasional PC work, I'm not used to working with something so small and precise. Wait? WTF? Does that mean I have an excuse for more tools? And a machine to make tool accessories. Holy **** Batman!

Made a holder for the new deburring kit.

 

[shortykorte]

@Bob Heine I recently saw a YT for a funnel that has a depression on the outside so the container can breathe while fill. I thought that was a good idea. The screw on funnel is a great idea also.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Designed and printed out a, hopefully, improved master to make the pediment mold.

 

[Cruzan80]

I have been working on getting the rest of the machine back together, and this is almost done. V2 has everything correct, except the OD of the tube (just slightly undersized). Will probably run a couple of small "test fits" in .005 increments (takes maybe 10min for 3-4 sizes), then run another one. Runs in an Oilite bushing (gear rotates with leadscrew, bracket is bolted to apron).

Power cross-feed gear on a 12" Atlas/Craftsman lathe. Original was Zamak, and had an internal keyway cast into it. Needless to say, those wore out, and replacements can get spendy.

Found a bevel gear that looked to be the right tooth count and angle on Thingiverse (for an older 10" F/R switch), sized it up to fit and then modeled in the rest. Turns out, OnShape can handle STL meshes as well as parametric solids, all in the same work environment. So made it super easy to scale up the .STL, and add in what I needed by using regular CAD, without having to try and convert the mesh to a solid.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have been working on getting the rest of the machine back together, and this is almost done. V2 has everything correct, except the OD of the tube (just slightly undersized). Will probably run a couple of small "test fits" in .005 increments (takes maybe 10min for 3-4 sizes), then run another one. Runs in an Oilite bushing (gear rotates with leadscrew, bracket is bolted to apron).

Power cross-feed gear on a 12" Atlas/Craftsman lathe. Original was Zamak, and had an internal keyway cast into it. Needless to say, those wore out, and replacements can get spendy.

Found a bevel gear that looked to be the right tooth count and angle on Thingiverse (for an older 10" F/R switch), sized it up to fit and then modeled in the rest. Turns out, OnShape can handle STL meshes as well as parametric solids, all in the same work environment. So made it super easy to scale up the .STL, and add in what I needed by using regular CAD, without having to try and convert the mesh to a solid.

Are you printing in metal, or printing the masters to cast in aluminum or zamak?

 

[Cruzan80]

Neither. Current version is 100% solid PLA, have some Nylon to try as well as CF infused, of/when this one breaks. Both of which should be at least as strong if not stronger than the original. I can also cut a groove and stake in a keyway in the original if needed.

 

[Cruzan80]

Updated pic with better lighting. Turned the 3d version so you can see the keyway. Measured the output to compare to the original, it is somewhere between 7-10 thousands smaller OD, CAd number was correct. So some mini-shrinkage

 

[Jeff]

 

[Snip's]

That knurling definition looks amazing...

 

[Jehannum]

I have been working on getting the rest of the machine back together, and this is almost done. V2 has everything correct, except the OD of the tube (just slightly undersized). Will probably run a couple of small "test fits" in .005 increments (takes maybe 10min for 3-4 sizes), then run another one. Runs in an Oilite bushing (gear rotates with leadscrew, bracket is bolted to apron).

Power cross-feed gear on a 12" Atlas/Craftsman lathe. Original was Zamak, and had an internal keyway cast into it. Needless to say, those wore out, and replacements can get spendy.

Found a bevel gear that looked to be the right tooth count and angle on Thingiverse (for an older 10" F/R switch), sized it up to fit and then modeled in the rest. Turns out, OnShape can handle STL meshes as well as parametric solids, all in the same work environment. So made it super easy to scale up the .STL, and add in what I needed by using regular CAD, without having to try and convert the mesh to a solid.

I've had good luck with printing pieces for my 12" Atlas out of Taulman Alloy 910. I don't have the power crossfeed apron, but I did print the cage for the traverse gears and the locking halves for the power feed, and I haven't broken one yet.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

Not sure how the carriage will cope with all that weight, let us know how it goes!

So far so good, I don't notice any difference in print quality. With the cable chain I also saved 100mm in printer footprint, which in my tiny shop, is worth gold. I figure if I lose throughout from having to use lower jerk or acceleration, I'll gain by actually having a full 300x300 usable bed.

 

[Citation]

This will be interesting. Stratasys is taking Bambu Labs to court. Per the article there are a few key claims in play.

3D printer maker Bambu Lab faces patent infringement lawsuits that could threaten hobbyist 3D printing in general

An OG in 3D printing is taking on a new, but highly successful, upstart in the industry

www.tomshardware.com

Some of the claims such as those related to the heated build plate probably would impact most 3D printer mfrs. Others such as the pressure sensing in the print head and the material purge tower are likely more limited in scope. Reading some various forum threads I saw a lot of people who felt Stratasys was just trolling. I don't think that is quite fair. Certainly they are a mfr of 3D printers so they are practicing in the field. Also, while we might view many of these things as obvious, it is quite possible Stratasys was the first. I pulled some of the patent numbers. It looks like most have initial dates around 2015+- a few years.

Zooming out, which of these claims would impact the broader community of consumer printer mfrs vs just BL. Of course it is possible that Stratusys would license their technologies but, if their claims hold up in court they certainly wouldn't have to.

Looking at some of the claims:
Stratasys has a patent on using the reaction pressure against the print nozzle to both detect a print clog and adjust flow control of the resin based on changes in pressure. I believe this is one of the things BL claims as an innovation that helps them achieve better results. I don't think this would affect most other companies but if BL lost this function I think their print reliability would be negatively impacted.

The heated build plate claim is probably a bit narrower than many of the internet forum posts would assume. It appears to specifically discuss the coated, flexible build plates (PEI build plates) that many people use. It probably would not cover glass build plates or some of the other non-flexible heated build plates. It also wouldn't cover non-heated build plates.

I'm less certain I understand the details of the purge tower claim nor how BL uses purge towers. This is one that wouldn't apply to most single filament printers since the patent appears to claim the purging has to occur during the print process vs say just at the start. (not a lawyer but I have dealt with patents in the past). Anyway, it sounds like this is an issue for multi-head printers or possibly the BL AMS system.

One of the claims sounds like a slicer issue as it calculates tool paths in narrow, interior features. No idea if the impacts would be large or small.

So having looked through this it seems quite possible BL did violate the patents. Selfishly I hope they fail on the flexible build plate claim since that would hit just about all consumer printers. However, I also have sympathy for the inventors here.

 

[kaymccampbell]

This will be interesting. Stratasys is taking Bambu Labs to court. Per the article there are a few key claims in play.

3D printer maker Bambu Lab faces patent infringement lawsuits that could threaten hobbyist 3D printing in general

An OG in 3D printing is taking on a new, but highly successful, upstart in the industry

www.tomshardware.com

Some of the claims such as those related to the heated build plate probably would impact most 3D printer mfrs. Others such as the pressure sensing in the print head and the material purge tower are likely more limited in scope. Reading some various forum threads I saw a lot of people who felt Stratasys was just trolling. I don't think that is quite fair. Certainly they are a mfr of 3D printers so they are practicing in the field. Also, while we might view many of these things as obvious, it is quite possible Stratasys was the first. I pulled some of the patent numbers. It looks like most have initial dates around 2015+- a few years.

Zooming out, which of these claims would impact the broader community of consumer printer mfrs vs just BL. Of course it is possible that Stratusys would license their technologies but, if their claims hold up in court they certainly wouldn't have to.

Looking at some of the claims:
Stratasys has a patent on using the reaction pressure against the print nozzle to both detect a print clog and adjust flow control of the resin based on changes in pressure. I believe this is one of the things BL claims as an innovation that helps them achieve better results. I don't think this would affect most other companies but if BL lost this function I think their print reliability would be negatively impacted.

The heated build plate claim is probably a bit narrower than many of the internet forum posts would assume. It appears to specifically discuss the coated, flexible build plates (PEI build plates) that many people use. It probably would not cover glass build plates or some of the other non-flexible heated build plates. It also wouldn't cover non-heated build plates.

I'm less certain I understand the details of the purge tower claim nor how BL uses purge towers. This is one that wouldn't apply to most single filament printers since the patent appears to claim the purging has to occur during the print process vs say just at the start. (not a lawyer but I have dealt with patents in the past). Anyway, it sounds like this is an issue for multi-head printers or possibly the BL AMS system.

One of the claims sounds like a slicer issue as it calculates tool paths in narrow, interior features. No idea if the impacts would be large or small.

So having looked through this it seems quite possible BL did violate the patents. Selfishly I hope they fail on the flexible build plate claim since that would hit just about all consumer printers. However, I also have sympathy for the inventors here.

I guess Stratasys is getting hurt in the market by Bambu, so they're lashing out. Or they're going under and trying anything to make a bigger buck for their CEO.

 

[Citation]

I guess Stratasys is getting hurt in the market by Bambu, so they're lashing out. Or they're going under and trying anything to make a bigger buck for their CEO.

I think they are getting hurt by the quality of all the consumer printers. But it does appear that Bambu Labs is possible violating more patents than say Creality. While the heated build plate is likely violated by most current mfrs, the pressure flow control and purge tower would be mostly BL printers. I'm not sure about the patents that's effectively a slicer setting. Slicer or not, if BL is providing the slicer then they are liable if it's found to be infringing. I would be curious to know if the other related slicers (Prusa, Orca) also have the same feature.

Anyway, its possible they see BL as a direct threat or perhaps they just see the consumer printer market in general as a threat and BL, being the one who is allegedly violating the most claims, is the target case. I would be curious if these features were independently developed or if they were copied/refined by BL (even if not directly from Stratasys). For example, if the flexible build plates were already on the consumer market before BL choose to use one then it may have been a case of flowing the crowd rather than looking at Stratasys machines. Prior to now, if I built my own machine I would have, presumably, violated that IP because I would have followed the crowd.