Posted on 01/11/2013 10:25:31 AM PST by null and void
Yeah the resolution / print accuracy seems a little course.
Taught myself basic programming on one of those in the early 80's. Chiclet keyboard and all.
I had the Sinclair and I even sprang for the big clunky extra memory that plugged into the side. I learned plenty from that thing, and also from the Commodore C64 and the IBM PC and finally the 386, 486, etc. That process took quite a few years. With this printer tech, I see it progressing much more rapidly. While I would love to have one right now to start playing and learning, I am leaning towards waiting a while and getting the 3rd or 4th generation improvements.
It saddens me to think back on all the cheap ABS toys and doodads I have broken since I was a kid. If I had saved them, I could repair them all with new parts.
Yes. I've read how-to accounts by hobbyists who have done this. Mostly at Solidoodle threads. I'm not totally sure it was PLA. But basically they put a strainer basket in a pot with some acetone, and gently heat it for a limited time. The object is left in the basket for an extremely short time, and the vapor smoothes it. (Done outdoors with precautions.)
Problematic. The printer has problems with large overhangs, no can do.
Does it? Check out Yoda’s ears!
The problem is, it builds up layer by layer from the bottom. So Yoda’s ears have support from the bottom, and slowly builds outwards. A well-endowed woman would have no support on the lower portion of her extremities, and the printer “ink” would simply fall away. If you “print” the woman in sections while laying on her back, you may have better results. A better solution are extremely expensive 3-D printers that build layers in a support medium.
Regarding vapor polishing, the folks doing this on the Solidoodle threads use PLA filiment, while having more success with ABS filiment. Halfway down this thread are discussions of vapor polishing using acetone.
http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/
A strainer and pot combination in use is the Presto Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker Steamer from Walmart.
I’ve done it by putting a half inch or so of acetone in the bottom of a mason jar, dangling the part over the acetone and putting the jar in a shallow pan of hot water.
I could hold them and give support while they are printing.
I suppose one could alter the source file to provide bridging supports to the extremities, and then cut them away after printing. A certain amount of sanding/grinding and polishing is required anyway to achieve desired results. One probably would have the joy and satisfaction of a sculptor in carressing a work of art in the making, a modern Venus. The wife asks what are these machines good for other than as toys. They don't understand men's needs to play with toys (or art). Many new technologies have their R&D paid for by prurient interests, and it will be so with this one as well. Such is progress, and as it improves so will the joy of many hobbyist artists. Now, if only robotics would catch up to the dreams of men.
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