- Thread starter Screwdriver
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eLuSiVeMiTe
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Most folk just call me; Orange Joe
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I think Blender is too far to the other end of the spectrum, where Sketchup is convenient mix of click&drag and typed dimensions, Blender is almost entirely "Yeah that looks about right" with next to no dimensions. It can be used for CAD but it's not convenient. It's also such a pain to learn, whereas Sketchup you can get started with no tutorials.
Screwdriver
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Very happy with the awkward concave surface finish. It's still 0.2mm layer height (I can reduce the steps but at outrageous costs in time 6 hr print becomes 15+hr). In reality, the steps (being ony 0.2mm!) are pretty smooth and I think I can get away with sticking a foil on top without having to smooth it (which would be a pita).
My backside is beautifully smooth (as you would expect).
Small locating holes since this will get glued to the (b) part of the object.
More importantly, it works!
I can't tell you how compelling it is to perform that simple fold on a real model. But it sits square, the holes line up and it folds to the correct angle when the mast is raised. It is bang on scale according to my calculations and yet rigid enough once the hinge pins are in place. I was worried I was going to have to slip a length of metal in there or make it look too chunky.
Next half to follow, plus the bottom hinges (not fitted yet).
My backside is beautifully smooth (as you would expect).
Small locating holes since this will get glued to the (b) part of the object.
More importantly, it works!
I can't tell you how compelling it is to perform that simple fold on a real model. But it sits square, the holes line up and it folds to the correct angle when the mast is raised. It is bang on scale according to my calculations and yet rigid enough once the hinge pins are in place. I was worried I was going to have to slip a length of metal in there or make it look too chunky.
Next half to follow, plus the bottom hinges (not fitted yet).
Dr.Al
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Keep your eye out for the SpaceExplorer: they're even better: more stable with the wrist rest and buttons for going to particular views quickly.
I've got one like this (currently £60 on ebay):
3DConnexion SpaceExplorer USB 3D Mouse 3DX-600029 | eBay
<p>3DConnexion SpaceExplorer USB 3D Mouse 3DX-600029. </p><br /><p>Selling due to company upgrade. </p>
www.ebay.co.uk
Steer clear of this sort though (not supported with latest drivers so will only work with things like FreeCAD):
3DConnexion SpacePilot | eBay
<p>3DConnexion SpacePilot. </p><p>Used remove from working environment </p><p>Tested is working fine </p><p>Cosmetics marks on the body </p><p>See pictures </p><p>Is not coming with software </p>
www.ebay.co.uk
I think I have cocked up...I forgot to add the photo. So it seemed like I could get one like yours... sadly subsequent posts meant I have now got a crap mouse.
It was this picture I was supposed to post.
Ok now I have re read it. Perhaps it's not quite so bad....its the pictures below the comments that are being referred to in Dr.Al posts.Keep your eye out for the SpaceExplorer: they're even better: more stable with the wrist rest and buttons for going to particular views quickly.
I've got one like this (currently £60 on ebay):
3DConnexion SpaceExplorer USB 3D Mouse 3DX-600029 | eBay
<p>3DConnexion SpaceExplorer USB 3D Mouse 3DX-600029. </p><br /><p>Selling due to company upgrade. </p>www.ebay.co.uk
Steer clear of this sort though (not supported with latest drivers so will only work with things like FreeCAD):
3DConnexion SpacePilot | eBay
<p>3DConnexion SpacePilot. </p><p>Used remove from working environment </p><p>Tested is working fine </p><p>Cosmetics marks on the body </p><p>See pictures </p><p>Is not coming with software </p>www.ebay.co.uk
So put me out of my misery is this a good buy or not
Although they were local they did not allow collection for reasons we have spoken about in Ebay threads before (tracking numbers) but as its free and I am in no rush its fine. (If its a decent mouse)
mtt.tr
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Very happy with the awkward concave surface finish. It's still 0.2mm layer height (I can reduce the steps but at outrageous costs in time 6 hr print becomes 15+hr). In reality, the steps (being ony 0.2mm!) are pretty smooth and I think I can get away with sticking a foil on top without having to smooth it (which would be a pita).
My backside is beautifully smooth (as you would expect).
Small locating holes since this will get glued to the (b) part of the object.
More importantly, it works!
I can't tell you how compelling it is to perform that simple fold on a real model. But it sits square, the holes line up and it folds to the correct angle when the mast is raised. It is bang on scale according to my calculations and yet rigid enough once the hinge pins are in place. I was worried I was going to have to slip a length of metal in there or make it look too chunky.
Next half to follow, plus the bottom hinges (not fitted yet).
Looks good,
Will you paint it as a model?
Screwdriver
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Luckily, it is almost all black anyway but the plan is to mimic those areas covered in foil. The only coloured parts are the gold mirrors and the bottom of the lower sun shield (pink!). I will detail it though and because it is made up from multiple printed parts, I can tweak it until it looks right.
Had my first fail last night. When I changed the filament, I must have disturbed the bowden tube and it pushed itself off mid print. Probably also blocked the tip...
Dr.Al
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I'm not an expert on all the variants, but that looks like one of the newer ones, so it's probably a good 'un. The "SpacePilot" ones with the screen are the ones to avoid. The newer the better as it'll be supported for longer by 3Dconnexion. They seem to assume that everyone is going to buy a new one every few years.I think I have cocked up...I forgot to add the photo. So it seemed like I could get one like yours... sadly subsequent posts meant I have now got a crap mouse.
It was this picture I was supposed to post.
View attachment 328475
Screwdriver
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Then it failed again this morning. I made the classic mistake of fixing the problem but not finding the cause. Looks like the other end of the bowden tube had burned up, allowed molten material to squeeze back up the tube where the hot end couldn't melt it. Eventually the pressure just builds up until the cable pops.
That's my assessment but this is a new reel of filament and it may be a different setting required. I usually use 240ºC print temp for PETG and 90ºC for the bed. I may dial that back to 235ºC if it does it again.
slim_boy_fat
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Screwdriver
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Things have slowed down on this model build as reality rears it's ugly head and the perfectly aligned items don't actually want to fit! It is the mirror wings that are the problem. I made them "tight" so they interlock but the tiny inaccuracies in the physical print stop them from interlocking. Easy to fix but they are six hour prints!
I could even "print in place" and print the entire primary mirror with its wings all in one go. That's at least 12 hours, possibly 24 hours depending on settings. Meanwhile I'll be twiddling with emery paper and razor blades to get this prototype at least assembled. Thankfully I did incorporate some adjustability by having separate hinges which can be fitted and lined up once I am happy with the mirror alignment.
I also have been experimenting with print in place telescopic arms. Probably a complete waste of time but incredibly, I think it might just even work...
They are impossibly thin and the gap(s) need to be impossibly tight or my boom ars will wobble and won't lock. At the moment, the three concentric arms above almost free up with judicious use of a hammer but more often than not I end up with a lot more pieces than there ought to be.
I could even "print in place" and print the entire primary mirror with its wings all in one go. That's at least 12 hours, possibly 24 hours depending on settings. Meanwhile I'll be twiddling with emery paper and razor blades to get this prototype at least assembled. Thankfully I did incorporate some adjustability by having separate hinges which can be fitted and lined up once I am happy with the mirror alignment.
I also have been experimenting with print in place telescopic arms. Probably a complete waste of time but incredibly, I think it might just even work...
They are impossibly thin and the gap(s) need to be impossibly tight or my boom ars will wobble and won't lock. At the moment, the three concentric arms above almost free up with judicious use of a hammer but more often than not I end up with a lot more pieces than there ought to be.
Screwdriver
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I used a razor blade to exfoliate a couple of layers on this prototype. Worked pretty well. So long as you'r careful and slowly wiggle the blade in, it peels apart really easily leaving a "perfect" layer below.
Triangle slice taken out from the right hand section in this pic. Those areas were on the back and had to be printed on supports. hence the dodgy finish which contributed to the poor fit.
So now the wings fit.
similar issue with the side hinges. I let something interfere when I made the body of the hinge first then put the pin where it needed to be. That interfered with the opening and you can see in this pic where the hinges are relieved.
Obviously I have now modified the model to account for these issues. Body next and while that's printing smooth the concavity and gold foil the primary mirror. Once it has a bit of colour to it, it will start looking better in the photos. In real life it looks pretty good but all black does not photograph well.
Triangle slice taken out from the right hand section in this pic. Those areas were on the back and had to be printed on supports. hence the dodgy finish which contributed to the poor fit.
So now the wings fit.
similar issue with the side hinges. I let something interfere when I made the body of the hinge first then put the pin where it needed to be. That interfered with the opening and you can see in this pic where the hinges are relieved.
Obviously I have now modified the model to account for these issues. Body next and while that's printing smooth the concavity and gold foil the primary mirror. Once it has a bit of colour to it, it will start looking better in the photos. In real life it looks pretty good but all black does not photograph well.
Screwdriver
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Couple more parts printed off.
Apologies for the dreadful photos. I will set up a proper light box once the model is finished.
Thought I'd grab these pics while there was still some natural daylight.
Folds up just like it ought to. I dare not say how long it took to make this happen...
Apologies for the dreadful photos. I will set up a proper light box once the model is finished.
Thought I'd grab these pics while there was still some natural daylight.
Folds up just like it ought to. I dare not say how long it took to make this happen...
Screwdriver
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Thanks. I could save a lot of time if I wasn't so obsessed with making a telescopic boom arm. It is difficult to do (print in place three telescopic sections) plus it affects the design of the main base which I don't want to print every time I change something. Am currently working on dividing up the larger sections but the Ender while great, is not perfectly set up for dimensional accuracy.
...and as I write that it suddenly occurs to me how to do it!
...and as I write that it suddenly occurs to me how to do it!
Screwdriver
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...and it works. I stuck a sneaky extra section into the main body.
The outer end is 4mm but just about stiff enough, reasonably strong (designed to be easily replaced!) and the whole thing fits in side half the width of the body.
Sneak preview of the mirror solution. Not happy with that particular application but I will make the final version more mirror like.
The outer end is 4mm but just about stiff enough, reasonably strong (designed to be easily replaced!) and the whole thing fits in side half the width of the body.
Sneak preview of the mirror solution. Not happy with that particular application but I will make the final version more mirror like.
