One Printer to Rule Them All or Makerbot 3D Printer Now Alive
If you have been by the lab in the last two months, you may have noticed the addition of a new 3D printer: A Makerbot Thing-O-Matic. This device grants us the ability to print objects using ABS plastic (think LEGO brick material) or PLA (a "green" alternative made from renewable material). Check out this young inventor explaining 3D printing.
So, what does this mean for the lab? It means that we now have another piece of equipment in our growing tool set to aid us in our projects. Whether serious or just goofing around (such as scanning people at the lab and printing mini-figurines), the 3D printer is available to members who have taken the training class. The first class graduated two weeks ago and now it is time for the next round for those who are interested.
A little bit about the build process and our results:
The Makerbot Thing-O-Matic is available as a do-it-yourself kit or, for a higher price, prebuilt. We chose the kit, which came in one box with everything seen below (except for the soldering iron, courtesy of Kyle).
Unboxing
We put about 16 hours total into the build, spread out over the course of a week. In the beginning you have to choose one of three types of "build platforms," which is where the material is extruded onto. The kit provides just enough parts to build only one of the three. We elected to use the Automated Build Platform. In theory, this platform allows us to print dozens of items without any intervention. Once an object is printed, the object rolls forward using a conveyor belt where it is pushed out into a collection bucket. After the platform is cleared, the printer continues to print the next object. Our choice in platform may change over time but has been printing quite nicely over the past month as shown in the image below.
Automated Build Platform assembled
Everything went together pretty easily, for the most part, requiring only two small hacks: A single stepper motor driver cable was lengthened as it was too short and an extension connector to the power supply was built to accommodate the Automated Build Platform.
Makerbot build coming together courtesy of help from DJ Mike and Harold (once again sharing some great soldering and electronics knowledge)
Once the installation was completed we had to install and learn some new software that is used to drive the system. You can use most any CAD or modeling package (such as Google Sketch-Up, Blender, AutoCAD, etc.) for designing parts. All that is required is to export the model to .stl (stereolithography file). From here, you use ReplicatorG and open the .stl file after which you have access to a number of settings for "slicing" the model before printing with the Makerbot.
Printing a part
ReplicatorG uses built-in Skeinforge scripts to provide literally hundreds of minor tweaks and changes to fine tune and control your results. After completing calibration (or at least calibrating to a point we considered decent), we started moving to increasingly complicated builds. We have spent the last month running print after print, tweaking settings to provide a good starting point for those interested in printing.
Larger parts
We are pleased to open this tool up to more members of the lab for use in projects. If you already know any of the many CAD or modeling packages out there, you can make your own designs to print. Of course, we are also supporters of the open source design movement found over at Thingiverse. Spend some time browsing and you may find what you need already created or easily adapted!
If you want to get started, the first step is to take a class on working with the machine. More details on the specific settings we use (currently tuned for our cold environment) and how to use, best tips, etc. on our Wiki.
Enjoy and happy printing...
MADExpo and Art|Everywhere Closing Ceremonies (July 1st and 2nd)
This 4th of July weekend has started off with a few happenings. The Lab went to Hampton for the Mid-Atlantic Developers Expo (MADExpo) on Thursday and Friday to show off a few projects. Saturday was the closing of the Art|Everywhere event that has been running on Granby Street the last few months
Ethan at the 757Labs booth at MADExpo.
Ethan is discussing 757Labs to attendees at Mid-Atlantic Developers Expo in the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Slide-show of the Lab and past projects, LED Cube on display, development progress of the Laser Pong, and Space Balloon box. MADExpo was a great convention for a first run and we currently plan to return next year.
Mike and the Drum Circle at Art|Everywhere closing.
Mike runs the Drum Circle on display at the Art|Everywhere closing event off Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk. Kids were scrambling at the chance to bang on the drums and have a good time while enjoying the weather. Some buttons on the drums gave the player a toggling ability to change instruments and octaves, adding to the chaos and entertainment of those who stopped by.
Laser Pong on display at the Art|Everywhere closing.
The Laser Pong game was set up next to the TCC building and had a handful of the young and old stop by and play some Pong, 757Labs style. There are still bugs to be worked out, but it added to the quirkiness of the game and was entertaining to many. The hope is to re-platform the game to remove the Linux system reliance out, leaving only Arduinos. Expect an interesting twist to the game in the future!
Weekend Recap (June 24-26), MADexpo
Over the weekend there was a good amount of activity at the lab.
From what I remember:
Fri : Ken stopped by and demoed his bar code scanner, which is capable of scanning the Virginia drivers licenses. My social security number is embedded on the back of my license, who would have known.
Other: Vex continued work on his custom tube guitar amplifier. It's looking sweet.
Steve helped with the assembly of the base frame for the new CNC router. Yes, we've been down this road before. This is going to be the one though! Not too big, not too small Just right. And made of aluminum extrusions and such.
Some new donations and new faces around the lab! Thanks to Mark G we might be on our way to getting the middle projection screen in use. A project to motorize it is on the mind. Also Justin gave us use of his Roku box, which is going to be integrated with the AMX automation system. The open development platform of this device is interesting.
Monday brought forth another busy night. Between Android developers meeting, ROV interest (and talk of 3d printing propellers), laser scanning an object using the MakerBot laser scanning software, there was no time to slow down!
Thursday and Friday we will have a table at the MADexpo in Hampton.
Saturday we will be at Art|Everywhere with the Rock Band Drum Circle and Laser Pong projects.
CNC:
Vex's Guitar Amp Custom Speaker Cab:
Roku driving projector on middle screen (stability undetermined):
Note: Ethan did a bunch of research into some of the dead flat panel TVs at the lab and posted some stuff on the wiki. More information forthcoming, but problems have definitely been identified.
MakerFaire NC
Makerfaire NC was a blast! 757Labs manned a table near some other great groups including other hackerspaces, the wonderful Techshop RDU, Shopbot and others. In one year it's amazing how much the event has grown and how the attendance was solid ALL day. There never was a break. Our RockBand Drum Circle was on beta test display, as was Kyle's LED cube and the Hackerspaces in Space space balloon bits. All in all a great time. Thanks to Makerfaire NC for having us and Hines Design Labs for spreading the word to us! Thanks to all the lab members that helped out!
David, Jack and I (Ethan) also visited Techshop RDU on Friday evening. A 20,000 square foot space with every tool and resource you can think of! I knew of Techshop but had no idea how stacked it was with equipment and resources.
We met some Hampton Roads locals who had traveled down to Raleigh for the event. Do you think a mini Makerfaire would be possible here in Hampton Roads? Opposite time of the year from Raleigh and supportive of their event?
Open Hack Night with Chad (6.17.11)
Last Friday night there was a good showing of visitors to the Lab. One of the projects getting a lot of attention was Beau's Maker Bot "Thing-o-Matic." Others showed up to meet up with fellow members and have a good time talking around the meeting area.
Inverse Phase stops by during Open Hack Night with Chad. Good showing by members and visitors!
Inverse Phase (Brendan Becker) and company look over towards the Maker Bot as it creates a bottle opener. Intriguing discussions of creation possibilities, designing models, and future plans of the 3D printer continue.
Inverse Phase demonstrating Chiptunes Tracking to Dave.
Dave checks out the music tracking software Brendan is using in Ubuntu. A few demonstrations of white noise generation, Nintendo audio chip wave forms, and quick editing skills produces a recognizable tune in no time.
Weekend in Review
A few things from the weekend. With pictures, as promised!
Beau brought the MakerBot to life. It's a very impressive design. Calibration process is going on:
Christopher worked on building a custom amplifier and speaker cabinet. It will house the tube amplifier he already made. A mini stack design:
The microcontroller code finally works for the laser pong game for the upcoming Art|Everywhere closing night. Harold contributed hardware-wise, Ethan some hardware and software, and Matt software.
Other stuff:
David dabbled with JSON calls to XBMC running on an Apple TV that will be running a screen up near the front window of the lab. Dave worked on repair of a chicken toy for a friend. Mike was working on monitor stands for his LCDs. Just a few items that was going on.
CNC router table was disassembled. Ethan wants to re-do it in T-slot once some surplus T-slot can be sourced.
Open Hack Night this Friday (June 17th)
MakerFaire NC on Saturday (June 18th)
Non-Lab Meetup and Event Calendars
We've had a calendar of lab-related events and meetups running for ages now (it's right over there -->) but figured it would be a good idea to put together another calendar for local events not hosted at the lab. So we're sharing a second Google calendar with anything we can think of locally that might be of interest to our members and the local hacker and maker communities.
Thanks to HR Geeks for having a great list of local meetup groups to get us started. If you run a local event that's not listed here please contact us (757labs@gmail.com) and we'll get it added.
757Labs Android Users + Developers Group
We will have a first time meeting of an Androids Users + Developers Group on Monday, June 27th starting around 7pm. As a starter it will be an open discussion for introductions and individual interests in the platform. Some basics of the system will be covered and topics may include current marketplace applications, interface useability, present and future hardware releases, phone manufacturer complaints, carrier dependencies, and development approaches. See you there!
757 Python Meetup Rejuvinated
Just when it seemed the 757 Python Meetup group had declined like the popularity of Perl, a bunch of people showed up! Motivated, excited, and ready to present.
So the Python group seems like it's in swing again! Next meetup is Wednesday the 15th. RSVP at the meetup group site.
Art was Everywhere in Downtown Norfolk
It was a beautiful evening on Granby Street for the Art Everywhere opening. The street was alive with activity. The other artwork on display is great, with some of it being interactive.
We felt the love from some of the other artists, and overall had positive feedback about the 757 Labs creation. During the process of building Hidden Norfolk, ideas were already flowing for next year.
The good news about our piece is that is can be updated all summer long. If you'd like to help or have ideas, contact us.
Much thanks to all of the people that helped build Hidden Norfolk. There are plans to tape a behind the scenes video as well.
Hidden Norfolk, halfway completed.
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Google Calendar
@757Labs
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Links
User Groups
- 757 CCC Comic & Cartoon Creators
- 757 Objective C Group Objective C and Cocoa programming group.
- 757 Python Users Group
- 757.rb Ruby Users Group
- HR Geeks Hampton Roads Geek Community