Replicator - Plexiglass/acrylic Walls

[Andrew]

Hey, just a thought, would it be best to add plexiglass/acrylic walls
to the replicator? Wouldn't this give more consistent temperatures?

Of course, you would have to build at least one that opens easily to
get to the object once its done building, but would it be a good idea?

pros/cons?

[Rob Giseburt]

That is exactly what I'm doing. This is great, if not essential, for
ABS. I'm going to vacuum form the top so it doesn't interfere with the
cables and filament.

This is bad for PLA, unless your going to have the ability to put a
large cooling fan on as well.

-Rob

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[Andrew]

I was thinking i could make it so that the sides have 120mm cooling
fans that would could create either positive, negative or neutral air
pressure in the build area, but could be removed when printing PLA and
having a insert that would block the airflow.

On Apr 10, 4:52 pm, Rob Giseburt <giseb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That is exactly what I'm doing. This is great, if not essential, for
> ABS. I'm going to vacuum form the top so it doesn't interfere with the
> cables and filament.
>
> This is bad for PLA, unless your going to have the ability to put a
> large cooling fan on as well.
>
>   -Rob
>

[JohnA.]

MakerBot used lexan / plexi side windows at CES and a few other events with the Replicator earlier this year.  Maybe we can nag someone to put the files on Thingiverse?

JohnA.

[Andrew]

Maybe the nice fellows at MB can provide their plexi glass to us once
they are done with all they events ;)

[randyzimmer]

Was talking to the owner of GrowIt3D and he said Dimension holds a
patent on heated chambers so that's why we have holes.

[Kim Schuttenberg]

That seems a bit obvious for a patent.  I haven't even gotten my replicator yet and I was thinking of hooking up a convection unit set at about 100.

[joe...@gmail.com]

It is obvious to us, now. But that's not necessarily the case when they got the patent.

When LED's first hit the market, companies used to get patents for using them to replace various other (mostly incandescent bulb) light sources.  Obviously, LED-as-light-source patents don't issue anymore...

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad

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[Gary Crowell]

Of course, the existence of a patent doesn't stop anyone from making their own for their use.

Gary

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[Herón Ordóñez Guillén]

I think that depends on the local law? there was a discussion here a while ago, and that's what I got from it.

[JohnA.]

Somebody with a replicator just has to take some measurements and throw a file up on Thingiverse.

Use this for inspiration - see how the panels hang off the bolts ?

http://asset3.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/01/10/IMG_0171_1_620x827.JPG


JohnA.

[John D'Ausilio]

I don't know that you want to have your chamber at 100C in any case ..
I believe that's why the Dimension machines have to use so much
support material. I was showing off my ToM to a couple guys at the
local hackerspace who work in a shop with a Dimension, and they're
jaws dropped when they saw what kind of gaps I could span ;)

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[Whosawhatsis]

100C is too hot for the chamber. IIRC, 60C was found to be a good chamber temperature for ABS.

As for the topic of patents and making things for personal use, the law (at least in the US) apparently does allow patent holders to send a cease-and-desist in this case, though even it they somehow found out about it, it's unlikely to be worth the effort.

[JohnA.]

And if there's really a worry about making side panels for home use....

- someone would have said something by now, since people sell side-panels for Cupcakes / ToM's
- we can claim that it's not creating a heated chamber, since there's no chamber heater.    

:)

JohnA.

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[John D'Ausilio]

btw, I've been using .005" acetate sheets from an art supply store,
held in place by small magnets .. I glued magnets to the inside
surface, and tape magnets to the acetate. Only problem is the stuff is
so clear you I always forget it's there and punch my hand through it
reaching into the bot ;)

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[Whosawhatsis]

I'm using the same thing, except I just placed the magnets to stick to the screws/nuts of the casing. They're 3mm magnets like the ones that hold the cupcake platform, but higher-grade.

[Joseph Chiu]

Unlike trademarks, there's not a "dilution of trademark" from not
prosecuting each and every patent offender. It's only when it starts
to substantially threaten their business that they'll start ramping up
the enforcement.

Just don't go around being Mr. Obvious in front of their face, and
they'll probably leave you alone.

IANAL and all that, of course...

[Travis]

In lieu of putting forth nontrivial effort, I painter-taped cutout ziploc bags to it.  I also taped the edges to keep them from curling.  Very high utility/effort ratio. I roll and velcro them up when doing PLA (not shown).  It doesn't suffer from too much clarity like acetate. :-)

I have this really sweet automatic belted-track rolldown system in mind which I will never implement.

On Friday, April 13, 2012 1:00:05 PM UTC-5, zeke7237 wrote:

btw, I've been using .005" acetate sheets from an art supply store,
held in place by small magnets .. I glued magnets to the inside
surface, and tape magnets to the acetate. Only problem is the stuff is
so clear you I always forget it's there and punch my hand through it
reaching into the bot ;)

>> makerbot+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

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>> http://groups.google.com/group/makerbot?hl=en.
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[Yepher]

Gary,

I am no expert in this space but I don't think you are 100% correct
here.

Assuming you are in the USA the existence of a patent is supposed to
do just that. It gives the owner of the patent the right to exclude.
See 35 U.S.C. 154 - http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/appxl_35_U_S_C_154.htm

I think you really meant that it generally does not detour an
individual from doing it privately. Also, I am unaware of any
infringement case against a private personal use of patent protected
art. But it still does not make it allowed.

If you are outside the USA I believe your original statement is
correct.

-- Yepher

On Apr 13, 10:55 am, Gary Crowell <garyacrowel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Of course, the existence of a patent doesn't stop anyone from making their
> own for their use.
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 6:18 AM, <joec...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > It is obvious to us, now. But that's not necessarily the case when they
> > got the patent.
>
> > When LED's first hit the market, companies used to get patents for using
> > them to replace various other (mostly incandescent bulb) light sources.
> >  Obviously, LED-as-light-source patents don't issue anymore...
>
> > -- Sent from my HP TouchPad

> > ------------------------------
> > On Apr 13, 2012 3:40 AM, Kim Schuttenberg <kim_schuttenb...@yahoo.com>

> Linkedin <http://www.linkedin.com/in/garyacrowellsr>
> Elance<http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaryacrowellsr%2Eel...>
>   KE7FIZ <http://www.arrl.org>

[Gary Crowell]

You're right, IA(Definitely)NAL.

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[Chris Crewdson]

In case someone is still looking for this, MakerBot has supplied it:  http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18813

The canopy is included in the design.

And in case you don't have Solid Works (I sure don't), try the derivative:  http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:20253 

[Chris Crewdson]

After finding these files, I've now discovered that I cannot extract the parts I want with any open source or free software.

Does anyone have tips for extracting the canopy/cover parts as vector art or in some form that I can take to the local laser cutters?

[Zak Kus]

If you want true non-trivial effort, i actually just threw a cut up old sweater over the top (basically covered the top 60%). Keeps it shockingly toasty, and now my prints no longer curl and warp. I was concerned the movement of the extruders would dislodge it, but there is enough give in the fabric that it's a nonissue.

Of course, it looks like crap, so i think ill try the ziplock trick.... Might be a good quick fix though...

[CliffStoll]

I just made a cabinet for m'replicator from the cardboard box that
came with it.

http://www.kleinbottle.com/gallery/Replicator_Cabinet_of_Cardboard

Doesn't look like much, but works terrific to keep the heat in and the
cats out.
Quiets the beast a bit, too.

I'm thinking of adding a second box around this, to capture the fumes
and exhaust them outside. I'll try using a small computer fan and a
flexible vent.

[Luis E. Rodriguez]

Win. +1

Luis E. Rodriguez

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[Dan Newman]

Hey Cliff,

How many spatial dimensions did you need?

Cheers,
Dan

[drando...@gmail.com]

Hey Chris check out my derivative on thingiverse http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23386

I made it from the makerbot hood and have the files up as corel draw or dxf which are the two most popular formats for laser cutter people. ULS/Epilog and all the China cutters use corel draw but I put dxf up for mills and open source usage for people as well as I broke out the parts list and give numbers for what size acrylic sheets to buy.

I modified the design from 6mm to 3mm acrylic as it is cheaper/easier/faster for people to cut even with a lower power laser.

My derivative is released under the creative commons "share and share alike" which is the same as makerbots and also a requirement of that license. Its my personal favorite because it means people can make them all they want as long as they give credit to the designer and don't sell the design. They can sell kits and kits from derivatives but they can't sell plans or kits from derivatives that they don't release under the same license. Basically everyone gets credit, people can make changes and you can make money if your willing to actually do work and not just sell an idea.

As a side note you can look through these groups and I've been selling some kits of my derivative with all the cut parts and the hardware. If your interested there going for $150 with shipping included if your in the 48 states. However if you have access to a laser cutter and are willing to do the work you can do it yourself for $75-$100 not including laser cutter time.

Also I've been working on heating up the build chamber too. I'm avoiding fans or any sort of heat that moves air. In other post and on most helpful tip sites air movement is the enemy of a print. Which is why the hoods are so interesting to people.
So what I've come up with is really simple.

1. http://www.zilla-rules.com/products/heat-mat.htm
2. http://www.lightobject.com/JLD612-DC-12V-Dual-Display-Fahrenheit-Celsius-PID-Temperature-Controller-P443.aspx
3. A 110 Relay.

Basically set the temp and let it go.

Simple easy and running.

   

On Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:38:30 PM UTC-7, Andrew wrote:

Hey, just a thought, would it be best to add plexiglass/acrylic walls
to the replicator? Wouldn't this give more consistent temperatures?

[drando...@gmail.com]

CliffStoll That a pretty cool idea. Please tell me thats the box they shipped your replicator in. That would have to make it to their blog for creativity.

[Andy]

If that is safe, then my replicator shanty lab is good to go:

http://db.tt/oSubmYfv
http://db.tt/HRrDFBGv

The walls are tatami mat insulation sheets. I have a dehumidifier on order. The goal is to provide a climate controlled environment for the printer, Doc Brown style... Is it dangerous? :)


-Andy

[drando...@gmail.com]

You sir are a dedicated man. I for one salute you.

[Cymon]

Dude, you smart.

[CliffStoll]

A couple minor points from the past day:

It's easy to make a swinging door of cardboard, using duct-tape or
gaffers tape. Better yet, use adhesive-backed velcro so you can
remove the door.

Using an old darkroom thermometer, I've measured the temperature
inside the cabinet to be about 55 degrees C (about3 cm of the extruder
heads while making a print)

I'll try the fume collecting double box next week. Right now I'm
looking for some small diameter dryer vent hose...

Cheers to all!
-Cliff

[CliffStoll]

Smiles back to you David!

Yes, it is the box that the Replicator came in.

In fact, the replicator shipping materials are quite substantial, and
cut exactly to fit the machine.
The MakerBot folks have done a remarkable job of making their
cardboard boxes!

[CliffStoll]

Hey Dan!

11 dimensions, I think ...

Smiles,
-Cliff

[MacGyver]

For my TOM I created a easy lift off hinge for the doors I made for
it.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:19522
And a knob to keep the doors shut.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:19695
It works very well and the doors are very easy to open or remove if
needed.

On Jun 8, 7:44 pm, CliffStoll <googlecheckoutst...@kleinbottle.com>
wrote: