Startup 8-30-14

Adventures In 3D Printing

This is the startup post to my new Blog.  

My goals for this webpage is to document my adventures in 3D printing.

My goals in creating this blog are:
1. I hope by publishing this I can help others so that they don't have to rediscover the things that I have discovered.

2. Help me remember what I have done to solve a problem or make a material or model work.

3. Share my adventure with family and others that will encounter my page

Ok, now for a little background information:

I purchased a FlashForge Creator from Amazon last Thanksgiving.  The FlashForge Creator is based on the MakerBot Replicator Dual 3D printer.  FlashForge has enhanced the hardware and software to bring it up to date.  The specs on the machine are listed in the image.

I use Cubify Invent for creating the models to print.  I also use Blender, netfabb basic, Meshmixer and FreeCad as helper programs.

FlashForge recommends using ReplicatorG version 0040, as the replicator dual profile built in the program works "out of the box" pretty well.

I am using the standard firmware (Version 7.2) that came preloaded into the printer, though I have looked at the wide range of alternate firmware versions available.  I recently upgraded my Replicator G to Replicator 0040r24, as it decreases the slicing time.

I have been designing in 3d for about 30 years. I originally designed 3d objects in Autocad on the PC, then Imagine and Lightwave on the Amiga, then back to the PC for Maya, Blender, FreeCad and now Cubify Invent.  At work I use Alibre (which is a full feature version of Invent really). My first models were ships from Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica.  In fact I still see my Viper model running around the net. There is a mistake in the model that enables me to tell that it was converted from the original Imagine format. I do some mechanical and enclosure design in my job as a Manufacturing, Design and Systems Engineer for a contract manufacturer.

I have printed many different colors and manufacturers of ABS and PLA materials.  I have also printed Nylon, a Rubber like material, and Wood.  I plan on printing with some of the ABS / Plexiglas mixes when I can get around to it.

I print models for my own enjoyment, presents for family and friends, fixtures and tools for work and I am in the process of opening and Etsy store for selling my iPhone cases and assorted items that others have expressed interest in.

So I thought I would go through the challenges that I have encountered in a more or less chronological fashion.  Each post will cover the experience and what I learned.  I also will post informational data on the different materials I am using and what settings work best, and any other requrements that apply to using the material.

So Welcome and fasten you seat belt, keep hands and arms inside the car at all times.