What is the 3D printing community/group looking for?

Hi Nate,

I for one would like to know more about how a 3D printer functions so that I can continue to diagnose the problems with the one I have.

I know logically what needs to be done, but my knowledge of the tools such as slicer is insufficient for me to make changes that I can track to results.

So if you could help share your experiences, it would enable others like me to make better use of the tools they might have, plus provide valuable guidance to people who are looking to buy or build a unit of their own.

DAB

DAB-

Thanks for the response!  The slicing software can/is a very complicated tool, especially since there is unlimited number of flavors out there.  It seems like every manufacturer wants to have their own that is customized to the printer for ease of use for the  end user.  I think having a general settings and how it effects prints is a good.  My go to slicer is Slic3r or Kisslicer (hasn't been updated in a while but still very good).  Of course the most common question i get is how to setup the firmware on machines such as Reprap's so that would also be a good topic.  The 2 most common is Marlin and Repetier when your talking about the typical 8bit controller.  The newer boards are 32bit and are able to perform much better.  These are boards such as the Smoothieboard and Azteeg.

Nate

Hmmm.  Doesn't seem like to many are interested. 

Nate

Perhaps something dealing with common problems in 3D printing

Warping when using ABS

Layers not sticking

Stringing

thin tall prints coming away from the bed

etc

Thanks for the Response Peter. Very good topics to discuss.  I will put it on the list to cover.

Nate

I'm currently building a 3D printer from various bought and salvaged bits in an attempt to justify my hoarding of ripped apart, printers, scanners and other stuff.  I've joined and followed a lot of groups and then just started bodging it together!  There are guides out there from various contributors and some of these could be referenced or pulled in with permission.  Experiences with different materials,diagnosing and solving problems seen while printing, software independent design guides for printing and designing parts ( I use solidworks or onshape, the latter because it's free as long as you have a decent internet connection!) 

Comparisons of different slicers, firmware and electronics are out there and are on Google,  but any new info for me would be good.

Currently running Repetier host, ramps 1.4, marlin and half a hacked together printer.

If anybody is interested I can put some links up to what I've done. I have some bit's on line at the moment but just to show friends, rather than being properly formatted!

I think that sharing your experience will be sure very useful for this community.

Enrico

I agree Enrico.  The more content we can get the more interaction we will have from the community.  Maybe even spark some good conversation.

Nate

Well just so you know what you're in for, here's a picture of where I'm up to with what I call the 3D bodge o matic.

I've based it round an extrusion frame because I can easily attach parts in any position using t-nuts.  The ramps 1.4, display, belts and motors are from e-bay, the Hotend is E3D. The smooth rods are all salvaged from printers I've disassembled. The power supply is a 16V unit saved from the skip  it's 6.5A so should do all but the heated bed.  The wood and the screws holding the wood together are loftovers from DIY projects.  The threaded rods and M4 bolts are from the local hardware store.

The current goal is to build a functional printer using as many scrap and salvaged parts as possible.  Then once working I'll print out replacement and hopefully better parts on the printer itself.

I've got more photos at home, and also some video that I will be putting on my blog which I have partly done but not published yet.

I can either put a link to my own blog, or what's probably better, start a build thread on here in the 3d printer section and then put some photos of what I've done so far, and where I'm up to.

Thanks for all the ideas!  Can someone from E14 put their input on what direction they would like to go or see?

Nate