Jump to content

solid-print-3d

Dormant
  • Posts

    333
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Posts posted by solid-print-3d

  1. I've been doing some research on electroplating 3D prints. They make it look so easy. Apply an electrically conductive ink and plate the print (or other plastics) using a brush-electroplating method.

    Thought I'd ask if anyone has tried this.

    Here's the link to a kit I found.

    http://www.goldn.co.uk/plastic-plating-kit/

    Here's the video they give of someone electroplating a golf ball.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=czTjYlsct_k

    apparently I can't correct the title as there is no space between electro and plating

     

  2. I've tried methods on the heated bed by placing a print in a large glass jar that just fit in the UM2. I'd heat the bed, which in turn, would heat the acetone and vapor polish the part.

    Problem is, the vapor reacts a lot faster on the lower part of the print than it does on the upper part. I theorize this is becasue acetone is heavier than air, and sits lower in the chamber (at concentrated levels).

    A much better approach I've settle on is cold polishing. Simply place the part in a glass jar, or acetone resistant container. Drape paper towels over the insides of the jar and saturate the towels with acetone. Place the part(s) in the jar/container, and cover with a lid. Check back in 2 to 4 hours. I find that the acetone saturated paper towels that run the full length of the tub vertically gives a more even result.

    Furthermore, I've had even more success by cold vapor polishing for 2 or 3 hours... just until the surface begins to shine. I then remove the part and allow to dry and harden for several hours. Then it's back to the chamber for 2 or 3 hours.. Usually 2 to 3 applications work charms. I've gotten super glossy parts this way without over-softening the ABS, destroying too much detail, etc...

    Hope this helps.

     

  3. @Arian, LOVE it! Looks like you could get by with thinner gears, as they're not transferring any torque ( well, miniscule amounts and the RPM is relatively low) to save weight.

    Also, consider carbon instead of aluminum, as you can get super thin carbon pultruded tubes that are pretty stiff in short segments and weigh next to nothing, as well as being very affordable.(available through amazon, ebay or any reputable hobby shop)

    Also, instead of designing tie-in (or tie-down) blocks on top of the support structure (where it attaches string to kite), you could save a little weight by incorporating them (the holes) into the ends of the structure.

    Looks like CG might be a little off due to the large gear hanging off to the side, which you could correct by offsetting the tie down points as well.

    Another factor is inertia, whereas if the kite does sudden moves like dives, the center axis might need to be supported a little bit better, but this would be trial and error depending on final materials, adhesives, etc...

    Again awesome design! :)

     

  4. Was going to buy a 3rd UM2, but just bought a From1+ instead. The luster of future upgrades gone, the constant need for Teflon insulator replacements (at unrealistically high prices), and the way it looks Ultimaker is heading (cough...Makerbot marketing) has had a lot to do with my decision.

    Just wanted it documented that they lost a sale... no hard feelings, the UM2 is a great machine, but it's development has come to a stagnant stand-still.

     

  5. Has anyone tried Acetal filament (mine was from Gizmodorks)

    Acetal filaments  24807.1404759129.60.79

    Can't seem to get it to print. Warps worse than any filament I've ever printed with. I''l try to call them tomorrow and ask, but I thought I'd ask you guys as well.

    For those who don't know, Acetal is a very slippery filament, which makes for great gears. It's so slippery, that when I tried to use a scrap of it for the atomic cleaning method, I had to hold it with pliers because I couldn't push it through the hot end with my fingers.

    It seems to print just fine, but multiple combinations of bed temp and nozzle temps yield the same result, the parts just warp like crazy in the first 2 or three layers, causing me to abort the print. So far I've just tried hairspray and blue tape (don't have Kapton on hand), with no luck. I've tried enclosed chamber and open.

    I'll post some pictures If I try again, and post any results I have if I'm successful

    Thanks

     

  6. That brings up a good point.

     

    Is there a chance to see what the R&D Team has tried, to not make the same mistakes again?

     

    Why can't we see any videos of what the "open source" R&D department came up with? As far as what issues they were running into? This might help us better visualize how to address these issues... this is an open source community, ISN'T IT?!

    With the new website (totally confusing), the Makerbot-like marketing (mini-regular and large), the empty promises (buy an ultimaker, we promise a dual extrusion upgrade)....... Ultimaker just doesn't seem like the Ultimaker I fell in love with. Combine that with an obvious design flaw with the insulator deforming quickly (and charging outrageous amount for replacements), I'd have to agree with others that Ultimaker is a victim of there own success.

    Their one redeeming trait is the warranty service. Living in America, Simon(illuminarti) has helped me out immensely! I'm sure he has a couple of people helping him out, but his attention to my machines problems and getting me up and running again is Ultimaker's saving grace in my book.

    As I've stated previously in posts, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I'm hoping that my honesty will be heard.

     

  7. This is what I heard (no offense)

    blah blah blah

    NO DUAL EXTRUSION

    blah blah blah

    blah blah blah

    I guess I have mud on my face for all the clients that have come to the shop (several of which have gone on to buy their own UM2's) Cuz I'm sitting here telling them "Oh yeah dual extrusion is coming out first quarter of March".

    I could go on for pages...

    Just upset is all

     

    • Like 1
  8. It also depends on what you need from the printed parts. The cheap Chinese stuff has to be printed hot, around 255, 260 becasue there aren't that many additives (if any) so the printed part tends to handle temperature better and seems to be a little tougher. The Cooler printing quality filaments that print around 235, 235 still hold up extremely well. The tradeoff between the two is print quality... which can often be overcome with the right settings and good tuning.

    An example of the cheap Chinese stuff would be JET (by cheap I mean price)

    An example of the quality stuff would be IC3D (USA)

    Again, don't know your local or even what printer you're using...

     

  9. To torch the nozzle, you have to completely disassemble the head, and remove the nozzle. I always warm up the nozzle before removing the set screw (and thermistor and heating element), and while holding the nozzle with a pair of pliers, unscrew the set screw. You then just use a low temp gas like propane to torch the nozzle (MAP gas will work in a pinch). From there just clean the nozzle of carbon at your discretion, using whatever you have on hand to get it nice and clean.

     

  10. I've run several miles of filament through my UM2's now....

    When I have a problem, and change my Insulator and nozzle , it's like a new machine. I have changed the bowden tube ONCE on each, and I do use the torch method to clean the nozzles, so I'm not in the same boat as everyone, but if you are willing to torch the nozzle, replace the insulator, and periodically clean the bowden tube, then you should be good to go.

    The trick is having the spare parts on hand :)

     

  11. You might have a main board problem? I had an issue where the z axis took on a mind of its own. Simon sent me a new board and all is well.

    One quick fix I di while waiting on the new board was to lower the Z stepper current (advanced settings motion control) to 900 mAh. Worked for me... Not saying that's what you're problem is , but at least it's one variable to test :)

     

  12. Just got an email from Simon today... Fbrc8 has been given permission to start selling spare parts here in the states!!!

    Simon says they should be up and running with the spare parts in 2 weeks or so.

    Hopefully I can say goodby to the 15 day waiting period on parts! :)

    P.S. Thanks Sanders, after you looked into my order the parts did ship (2 days later) but damn DHL is fast... Arrived in Cincinati at 5 AM, and was here in Orlando at 12 noon... WOW...

     

  13. Yes, my newer UM2 looks just ike the one on the right

    Led Dim 2

     

    and @ tottenham12712 (damn what a user name :) ) , I understand the color shift over time... I'm talking about right out of the box!

     

    The newer UM2 (at least the newer one I have) has a completely differnt LED strip. The old LED strip had the diodes exposed, the new strips have the LED's encase in a resin shield.

     

×
×
  • Create New...