Bounce on over to Slic3r.org and grab Slic3r Version 0.9.9

Slic3r is finally offering a raft function.

Many new features, including a new simple mode, raft and the ability to use multiple layer heights in the same print, and optimizations for printers with Bowden extruders. And, of course, LOTS more.

-Adam

The red and orange parts were printed by me :)

EPIC!

- Based On Actual Events 

An announcement is made by Project X's creators, "OPEN SOURCE Project X has been released, download the design files or buy a kit today!" 

You, the industrious Maker lunge at the chance to... well... MAKE! 

A quick read of preliminary documentation reveals that OPEN SOURCE Project X is made from Printed-Parts, Laser Cut Parts, Custom Machined Parts, and Vitamins. 

Well well! You are in luck! You have a 3D printer, a laser cutter, and a lack of reasonable fear of fire! 

You will have this thing built in no time!  

Let's see here... 

Printed Parts: 
-Some but not all of the printed parts (STLs) can be found on Thingiverse.  
-The missing printed parts can be found on Project X's github 
-Project X's Github does not host the same STLs that Thingiverse does... Uh... moving on... 

LaserCut Parts: 
-The Laser Cut Parts (DXF files) are not on Thingiverse 
-GitHub is hosting the LaserCut parts... for the previous generation of Project X...  
-Uh... these will work with this generation?... These don't look like the pictures... 

Custom Machined Parts: 
-It is apparent that there are a few important custom machined parts being employed in OPEN SOURCE Project X 
-No Schematic Drawings.  
-No definitive descriptions on how one would make them, their shape or what they are made of.  
-These bits don't look too complicated, but they are not for sale anywhere...  

B.O.M. 
-What's a B.O.M.?  

Build Instructions 
-These are the instructions for the previous generation of Open Source Project X... which were never finished/great to begin with... 

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! 

Here is the Million Dollar Question, Intrepid Reader: IS OPEN SOURCE PROJECT X ACTUALLY OPEN SOURCE? 

My Answer: HELL NO! 

Hop On Over To The RepRap Forum and Voice Your Opinion:
1. Honestly, if you can't find all the design files for a piece of hardware in one place is that design actually open-source? 
2. If there is no B.O.M, is that design actually open-source? 
3. If the design uses custom part x, which is available nowhere, and there is no schematic (details) for part x... is that design actually open-source?

FabberForge - Printing Happiness 

Nicolas was kind enough to make a youtube video of his Rostock made from FabberForge printed parts.

Embedding was disabled on the video, so you have to click the link to see the video :) 

If Pronterface is the only Host program you have tried, you should check out Repetier. It is a more resource intensive program, but it gives you a 3D view of your G-Code as your print (it is pretty cool  )

FabberForge - Printing Happiness 

[www.fabberforge.com]

Slic3r GUI

Exciting news in the DIY 3D printing world: Slic3r Beta 0.9.8 has been released... and it doesn't suck! 

Slic3r is an open source slicing program (duh... ;) ) that takes a 3D model (an STL) and converts it into a tool path for your 3D printer.

Slic3r is much more user friendly than some of the other slicing programs on the block.  Slic3r is also very quick to generate G-Code.  Slic3r can generate g-code in seconds, unlike other slicing programs which can take minutes (or hours) to generate a tool path.

So far after testing v0.9.8 on a few prints, I am VERY VERY pleased with the results.  The last 5+ releases of Slic3r were burdened by fatal flaws; program crashes, not lifting the z-axis to the correct heights, pimples and rashes on your prints (the Slic3r STD).  I actually have not adopted a new Slic3r version since 0.9.1 because of these problems.

This Slic3r release appears to be, fast, stable and intelligent.  In my book, all of Slic3r's dirty sins are forgiven  I am adopting version 0.9.8 as my new primary slicing program  

Slic3r GodFather, Alexrj (aka Sound), recomends you upgrade to version 0.9.8 too: 

"This juicy new release contains many bugfixes and improvements. Work focused on stability and print surface smoothness, removing gaps, spikes etc. You're advised to upgrade to this version... or provide a good reason for not doing that. ;-)" 

In truth a lot of the features I am gushing over (intelligent narrow path infill etc.) were added in versions 0.9.7 or earlier... the trick is that the nasty flaws in those versions stopped me from using those versions. 

I Can't recommend enough that you run over to www.slic3r.org and add Slic3r 0.9.8 to your 3D Printing arsenal.

Also Be Sure To use this calibration guide (a nice hidden gem) to get the best prints from Slic3r: https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/wiki/Calibration

In fact the sheer volume of orders I have been getting breaks the boundaries of "Hobby Territory" and verges on full blown business.  Funny enough, that is not what I want at all!  I already have a job!

If I have 20-30 custom orders pending at any given moment, I have far less time to make sure my work is immaculate.  It also severely limits the time and energy I can put into my own projects.

I would rather sell 10 amazing kits (that folks are damned lucky to get their hands on) in the course of one year, than 100 low quality boxes of plastic.

If you are familiar with the site MDPC-X, you know they sell amazing quality PC building materials (as a hobby) and only open their store once a week!  Folks that get their hands on those wares are excited and boast about being able to buy them.

ex. I have a pair of custom MDPC terminal crimpers!  (Ture Story) ;)

That is the feeling I wish to impart on the items I sell.  This is my Hobby after all, and I want to be damned proud of it.

My Solution:

Coming Soon: eMaker Shop

I am going to shift gears from making plastic parts to order, and start producing Ultra-High quality "Starter Kits".

These bare bones kits will include the primary printed parts and vitamins (metal parts) for 3D printers.  These kits will be geared towards really setting up the builder for success, and will include documentation on what electronics, motors and hot-end etc. are needed to finish the build.

Too many times, I have found that folks don't really know what printed parts they need, which is a serious downfall of taking custom orders.  Taking the avenue of building slightly more complete kits helps me save the RepRap fledglings from disaster.

I will still offer custom printing as a service.  Sometimes folks have needed their own designs printed, and I am more than proud to help my hobby brothers with those sorts of endeavors.  I probably just won't be accpting plain-jane-vanilla custom orders that I otherwise make pre-made kits for.

Submit an order or request for a price quote for custom printed parts!

Expect ridiculously awesome items to start appearing on my eMaker shop sometime after I clear out my remaining custom orders!

Thanks for your support and happy new year!

It is exciting to, see new hot-end designs emerging. This one looks nice  

I started a RepRap forum post an the nozzle.  It is getting a lot of attention.  Folks are debating the meaning of the word efficiency if you are into that kind of thing ;)

I wll be sure to pick one up as soon as I can and write a little review.

FabberForge - Printing Happiness 

The MakiBox A6

MakiBox Home Page 

A friend just pointed out to me that the 3D Printer upstart "MakiBox" which was crowd funded earlier this year, opened its online store on Christmas Day. 

They have their mini-flagship complete printer set for sale at $200... WHAT!?  

The printer is tiny but still manages a build area of 110mm x 150mm x 90mm (X,Y,Z). The $200 version does not have a heated bed; there is a $300 that does.

There are videos of the prototype makibox printing; notice that it does not use belts (goodbye backlash?) 

At this very low price, it seems hard to be the loser in this deal. It would seem that even if you just used the printer for parts, you would end up with 4 stepper motors, a printr-board, and a Bowden Extruder... 

Buying one now  

I will report back to let you know if I was robbed or got an awesome deal  

Prusa, Rostock, and Ecksbot Parts

I get a lot of emails from folks asking for price quotes for RepRap printed parts, and they are almost always pretty happy to hear those prices.  I figured I would announce those prices here to help encourage sales. 

I have sold over 20 sets of RepRap parts now, and everyone seems really happy with the part quality.

Selling parts is keeping this semi-expensive hobby alive for me.  I am also saving to buy a FullSpectrum Laser Cutter to further my "Maker Career."  With your help, I will make that goal!