Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Ready to print

[David Brelsford <david.brelsford@gmail.com>]

Alec, I'm gladto see that I am not the only person embarking on this 3D printer thing. I just built a MakerBot Thing-O-Matic (makerbot.com), and am having a ball. Still tweaking some of the setting in skienforge, but will have it in tip-top shape in no time. I am actually planning on using it in my classroom here in Baltimore City (7th grade math) I am a newb as well, but being on the bleeding edge of technology is not always easy.

 

A few things, after reading the other posts and questions here.

 

I think, for the PSubs folks, and really anyone who will be making parts that your lives my depend on, I do not think that I would trust ABS. Nothing on the sub is- or should be made out of lego, Besides, there are plenty of opportunities out there for mistakes in the printing to be made and parts to delaminate.

 

Definately dont make stuff for the water out of PLA. It breaks down,

 

The real advantage is in proof of concept. The ABS/PLA is cheap. you can design anything you want, print it, and bolt it to your sub, or your car or bike or head, or whatever. if it works, you can then invest your time into welding a part, or sending it to someone like shapeways- who cna then make the part out of metal. It really allows you to look at your actual design, not just what you think you drew. If it works get it made, or edit the drawing.

 

A few things to think of: you have to draw something in 3D. To many that is pretty daunting. Solidworks and Autocad have a steep learnign curve. A progam that I have been using with my kids is called Tinkercad (tinkercad.com i believe). It is a web/browser based, easy to use 3d program. It does not have all the bells and whistles, but it is free, and a much easier learnign curve. Remember, I have a group of 7th graders using it now. they can design someting, and when its working right, hit print and actually make it.

 

There is another website that I like called Thingiverse, where people post the things that they design as .stl files, and they share theme with the world. Granted, there is a lot of sillness going on too, but a lot of the stuff is really helpful. there is also a great community of people out there trying to learn how to use these things, so there is a lot of help.

 

just my .02

 

dmb--

David Brelsford

Math Teacher

NAF Prep

david.brelsford@gmail.com

410.446.7037

 

"Life is good for two things, discovering mathematics and teaching mathematics"                                             

 

                            Simeon Poisson

 

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