<*>[Attachment(s) from Harvey White included below]
For about the last year or so, I've been working with a 3D printer,
got it as a kit. With Barry's permission, I'll detail some of the
things I've found, and perhaps start a series of threads about 3D
printing, which is additive machining rather than what we're used to,
subtractive machining.
Since one of my primary interests is electronics (couldn't you tell?),
you'll find that there's a strong focus on electronics in the
applications I'll develop.
However, the mechanical problems in electronics solvable by 3D
printing could also be solved by conventional machining, but often
times not so easily.
My thought is that both 3D printing and conventional machining
complement each other, and that a 3D printer can be a useful addition
to a shop, and indeed, can be run on a desktop without major concerns
if you stick to PLA plastic.
I will post once a day (roughly) with another add-on to the section,
then at the end, I'll put the entire document (RTF format so you get
the advantage of the formatting, but don't have to have Microsoft
Word) in the files section. I'll also post a few of the things I've
been doing as well, and that will include the code to generate the
objects.
For the board support (.png attached), you'll be able to vary the
space between the posts and the space from the bracket to the first
post by simply changing a number, no programming needed.
Many of the items I've been making are similar, with sizes changed by
altering a number (documented!), so you need not program to be able to
make these things. Best of all, the software I use is free.
So on to part 1:
Comments are welcome, of course.
.*******************************************************************
Why 3D printing?
Additive machining
3D printing has been touted as the answer to many (if not all)
machining problems. The answer is both true and false. One is that
3D printing can do things impossible with standard machining. That
part is true. You can make parts with parts inside the parts, simply
break them apart (they'll be joined) and you can make a sphere inside
a cutout cube. However, the material you use is plastic, either PLA
or ABS (and now nylon and flexible plastics), the ability to make
parts from metal is currently beyond the ability of the home 3D
machinist.
What kinds of things might you make that are easier in 3D? Corner
brackets, board support brackets, display bezels, standoffs, sensor
support brackets, boxes, enclosures, and the like.
What kind of things can't you make in 3D? Large panels, bearing
surfaces, precision rods, linear bearings, things that may need
extreme mechanical strength, and things where plastics are not
suitable.
To do additive machining, you start with a spool of plastic filament,
much the same kind of format as weed whacker line (which is nylon, not
PLA or ABS). That filament is forced through a heater, which then
makes the plastic ooze out of a small nozzle (0.4 mm) the same way
that toothpaste is squeezed out of a tube. It's liquid when it comes
out, and either bonds to the table (which we want) or bonds to the
filament already deposited. There's a limit to the amount of
unsupported structure you can do, but many tricks can be used to
minimize that problem. The programming can also add supports, but
those may or may not work well.
.*******************************************************************
<*>Attachment(s) from Harvey White:
<*> 1 of 1 Photo(s) https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/GrizHFMinimill/attachments/947624826;_ylc=X3oDMTJxaG1mMjBqBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzMwMzI5NzMEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDYzNjk3BHNlYwNhdHRhY2htZW50BHNsawN2aWV3T25XZWIEc3RpbWUDMTQ1MTEwMzU3Nw--
<*> board support.png
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Posted by: Harvey White <madyn@dragonworks.info>
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