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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 06 March 2012 00:22 |
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I have started work on a 3D printer capable of solidifying on-screen designs into real, touchable, plastic parts. This undertaking started as just a CNC machine, but after some peer pressure from a friend, I decided 3D printing might be an easier/more versatile first step. The electronics between the two would almost be identical anyway. The above picture is the brains of the printer. The design is called the Sanguinololu, and it is based on a specialized Arduino Mega clone with 4 Pololu stepper motor drivers integrated. It started as a bare board and I was able to solder it together without too much trouble. (This was also my first attempt at SMD soldering.) After getting the board working with scavenged stepper motors, I proceeded to work on a nozzle and hot end that will melt plastic filament much like a hot glue gun.
This is my version of the Wildseyed Simple Hot End made from a air tool coupler, a mig welder tip, and a short Teflon rod.
Next up was the heating block. This was just a chunk of aluminum that I machined to screw the nozzle into. There is a wirewound power resistor mounted horizontally in the block that provides heat to the assembly. I have yet to install the 100k thermistor that acts as a thermometer allowing the Sanguinololu to regulate the extruder's temperature.
I should have much more to show soon! |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 March 2012 00:36 |
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Written by Redleader36
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Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:40 |
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Since Google Huddle has been devouring 1/4 of my battery every day, I decided to try to get it working on my PC. I have been successful and have installed the Google+ app onto the Android emulator in the Android SDK. It is currently running a version of Froyo that is hacked to allow Google account and Market access in the emulator.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 03:05 |
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Written by Redleader36
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Friday, 22 July 2011 03:57 |
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Finally, my 8"x10" flask for sandcasting is finished. A larger 12"x12" flask is nearly done. I have about 100 lbs of greensand mixed and plan to start casting aluminum very soon!
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:46 |
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Written by Redleader36
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Monday, 18 July 2011 15:59 |
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Along with our recent landscaping projects, we decided to start 2 raised gardens in our large backyard. The far garden was finished last weekend and the near one was done this weekend. We used 12' 2x6 boards that used to be rafters in my Father's old garage. The soil was picked up fro free from our local landfill. The rest of the wood is all pallet boards, and the only real expense has been the screws and the chicken wire. The plants in the ground here were all just moved over from my greenhouse. The rear of the near garden is cucumbers. In the far garden is zucchini, pole beans, and some tomatoes.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:46 |
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Written by Redleader36
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Monday, 18 July 2011 15:41 |
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Lately we have been working on landscaping our house for as little expense as possible. This is the resulting flower beds by our front steps. The tiers are made from free pallet board that I got from work for free. The wood-chip mulch was picked up from our local landfill for free. The only real expense was the screws to hold the wood together. The rocks were all cleared out of a cornfield. The plants were mostly extras from my mother's gardens.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:46 |
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