Updates
I want to apologize for the lack of updates. I have been building instead of updating. I am going to work on sending out more.
Spooled Filament
I have been searching the internet and I have see a few post where people are wondering if Filabot even spools filament. This update is proof that it does as I have spooled three full spools of 3mm filament. The hardest part was keeping the hopper full. Making this spool of filament took about 3 hours. During this time, I was able to walk away and work on other tasks. I failed to weigh the spool before I started, the whole spool and filament weighs 4lbs 3oz.
Why did we ask for shipping info?
The reason we asked for your shipping information is so we could estimate shipping costs. After breaking down the backers, there are some that shipping is way more then the actual system, more then I originally estimated. We will be contacting those individual backers soon. Why couldn't I run a Kickstarter for something lighter?
Moving back to HQ and what it has done
I have moved back home, living at college was too difficult when it came to managing this project. Since I have moved back, I have seen some great progress. I sold the box truck. It was sad to see it go. It went to a good home. Now I am back in my father's workshop turning it into a assembly area. I hope he doesn't have any large projects that he wants to work on. Along with the work shop. Filabot will be getting an office space soon through Vermont Center for Emerging Technology. VCET is a business incubator that provides us with legal counsel, business advice, networking, corporate connections and an office space for administrative work. We will be getting this office space hopefully at the end of this month. I often have meetings at VCET, we are the drifters, moving from room to room depending on what is open. I now have four interns. The background of these interns range from Engineering to English.
The University of Vermont and The Center for Technology in Essex Vermont, have a Fablab that I have had the opportunity to use. Thanks to both of them for letting me do so. If you are a high school student in the Vermont area, I highly suggest that you check out CTE. They are doing some great things over there from Engineering to Culinary. They also have a First Robotics team.
What I am still designing
I am still designing the grinder, I have gone through what feels like a million ideas. We have some viable options for the grinder system; however, it is a delicate balance of cost, ease of manufacturing and safety. I think I have come up with the solution that covers all the previous issues. I am designing this grinder to be attached to the outside of the Filabot system so it will not limit our assembly.
The rest of the Filabot is working great. From the control panel to the spooling system.
Fun Facts
- There is over 46 feet (14 meters) or wire in the Filabot wire harness.
- In less then 30 minutes all the sheet metal needed for one Filabot can be cut out on the plasma table.
- Watching filament extrude is boring, testing the filament in the printer is way more fun.
- We get over 300 new subscribers a month to our Filabot launch notification.
Thanks,
Tyler McNaney and the Filabot Team
