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Proving yet again that I suck at the mechanical / industrial design side of things...

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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@binaryrhyme I saw those, very confusing. Conceptually the measured current flows htru (might be a shunt) and the meter power to light it up comes form either a secondary source, or if correct voltage the same source. The way they draw the diagrams is overkill.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@binaryrhyme The price is in my ballpark.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Will
 Will
(@will)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 2504
 

@zander 

I haven't bought one in a few years now (but I think I'm getting close to it now). I've had them for about 10 years now and the most memorable was the first generation Cetus which is STILL operating after over 5 years of use; it's run well over 150 pounds of plastic filament through it now.

However, the second generation version was a huge disappointment (I'm sure it was a dud, not a representative machine from Cetus). The third generation was back to acceptable quality.

The second best printer I've owned is the Creality CR-10. It does beautiful work when it works, but has required much more oversight and repair time than the Cetus. It's the one that printed the yellow plastic case for the power supply above.

Prices range from the ridiculously cheap to the ridiculously expensive. I try to shy away from the lower end versions (had a couple and they worked fine for a while but became so prone to failures that it didn't seem worth keeping them alive after a while).

I have been contemplating buying another one to replace one of my current machines that's becoming more trouble than it's worth. I want one with a heated bed because it helps prevent the plastic from peeling off and curling up as the layers above cool down. Specifically, I'm considering this one ...

"https://www.amazon.ca/Official-Creality-3D-Upgraded-Removable/dp/B07K3SZBHJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=16LJ66K571VB7&keywords=creality+ender+3&qid=1648231007&sprefix=creality+ender+3%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRE1ZUjYwOUgzUlhKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTYyMDQ5MzdCT0FET1lGTlkxMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzg4NjM0SVJXRzhISE5PNEg4JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ=="

The internet can give you much more information on comparisons between types, heated vs non-heated beds, auto-levelling, filament types and manufacturer's etc.

Finally, bear in mind that I'm a cheap bastard so I'm biased to the low end of the price range 🙂 If you can join the local Maker's Club and use their machine, that's a far better solution than buying your own. Especially in a small loving space (the printer will make noise and the molten plastic smells).

Check out the freeware tool OpenSCAD for designing. It's basically adding and subtracting geometric shapes. It produces blocky shapes with sharp edges but it's got a very short learning curve. Check it out.

Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're talking about.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@will I know about your frugal nature, so I would be taking that into account. Everyone recommends a CAD program, I try it and 5 minutes later delete it from my system. I am a natural left hander but forcibly switched in grade 2 and I think that has something to do with it as I am always moving the mouse the wrong way. I do not like to draw in 3D, just give me and then let the software convert 3 2D drawings into one 3D drawing. I have had a couple of parametric box designing tools recommended that can produce printer output files, but without access to a printer I haven't given them a decent try. I expect that is my best bet though, all I want to make is some boxes. I can drill/cut openings, the instructions to do that were too complicated for me.

I just took a quick peak at OpenSCAD. One look at the cheat sheet turned me off. All that for build mne a box 20mm x 30mm x 10mm? Crazy.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Will
 Will
(@will)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 2504
 

@zander 

// Zander's box 20mm x 30mm x 10mm
//
// Assuming 3mm thick walls
// Assuming that dimensions represent the volume CONTAINED inside the box
//
thickness = 3;
length = 20;
width = 30;
height = 10;
//
// Make the box
//
difference () {
     cube([length+2*thickness,width+2*thickness,height+thickness]);
     translate([thickness,thickness,thickness])
           cube([length,width,height+1]);
}

Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're talking about.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@will Sure, that's intuitive. I could probably get used to that, or one of the other parametric tools. However, the comment re smell is a concern, I would have to locate it near a window or balcony slider and use a fan to vent the smell. We will be moving into an apartment in about 18 months and smell would be a big problem.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Will
 Will
(@will)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 2504
 

@zander 

Here's the generalized form which will make any size box with any thickness.

// Zander's box generalized to make any sized box
//
// Default value for thickness is 3 mm
// No validity tests on dimensions
//
makeBox(20,30,10);
//
// Make a box
//
module makeBox(length,width,height,thickness=3) {
    difference () {
        cube([length+2*thickness,width+2*thickness,height+thickness]);
        translate([thickness,thickness,thickness])
             cube([length,width,height+1]);
    }
}

Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're talking about.


   
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byron
(@byron)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1112
 

@zander - re 3D printers

I've had a Prusa Mk3s 3D printer for about 3 years and I'm very happy with it. I got it in the assemble it yourself form and after the initial calibration I've not had to mess with it since.  I went for that model when I saw it recommended on the Andreas Spiess site (swiss accent fellow)

But leaning a CAD program to make use of it was indeed quite a challenge and I still not very competent.  (I use the Fusion 360 free version)

Apart from the challenge of actually producing a drawing to print,  I find my product design skills are sorely lacking.  I enclose a picture of my attempt at a portable temperature sensor to place about the house.  Its rather a monstrosity that the wife has rather disparaged so it currently sits by my keyboard awaiting some design inspiration.  

IMG 0494

Bottom line - good fun, but a considerable investment in time is required.


   
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 Biny
(@binaryrhyme)
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Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 269
Topic starter  

@zander I'm slowly ramping on the Fusion 360 freebie - it's usable, but has it's own parametric mind set that I find I am constantly re-learning the basics on.

I edit my posts to fix typos, correct grammar, or improve clarity. On-screen keyboards are evil.


   
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Will
 Will
(@will)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 2504
 

@byron 

Looks like a good set of printed parts, but why is it so large ?

Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're talking about.


   
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byron
(@byron)
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Posted by: @will

but why is it so large ?

The grand idea was to put a wemos ESP8266 in one compartment at the bottom, a battery in to other and a tower to keep the temperature sensor well away from any heat generated by the wemos, and plenty of air hole for the air in to room to waft in.   But I hope my mark 2 will be better thought out 😀 


   
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Will
 Will
(@will)
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@byron 

Mark2 is always better (but it usually takes me Mark5 to be happy 🙂

Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're talking about.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@byron Um, risking the obvious here, why do the temperature sensor and the battery+controller need to be close together at all?

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@byron On a scale of 1 to 10 how difficult to assemble?

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6665
 

@will Sounds about right

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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