A Robot Respite While building

I got home late this evening and decided NOT to tackle the RapMan tonight.  So, I'm going to take a little respite and tell you about a wonderful site that is sure to get your family excited about 3D printing.

Web Site Review:  MY ROBOT NATION

Creating the Robots

I love to find things to do and places to go that make me a hero to my granddaughters. And, My Robot Nation fits that description to a tee.  I first heard about it on my visit to 3D Systems, although, as far as I know there is no direct connection between the two companies other than the fact that My Robot Nation uses a Z-Corp color printer to print out the robots created by their customers.  And, 3D Systems now owns Z-Corp.

Over the weekend, my two granddaughters each designed a robot.  The first was QWERTY, clearly showing a flare for names.

The older granddaughter designed Henry.  Again, displaying a highly honed sense of creative naming ability.  They OBVIOUSLY take after their grandfather.  No. Wait.  They get good grades.  So, maybe it's only in Robot Naming that they take after PopPop.  At any rate, here's Henry.
 

From the look on Henry's face, he must know his name.

The interface for creating the robots was extremely easy for them to pick up and they enjoyed going through the many options that were offered to customer their robot.  The process was just plain fun.

However, they have a Mac and initially we thought it wasn't going to work because the web site app requires WebGL.  It turned out that WebGL is not turned on by default with Safari.  Fortunately, My Robot Nation gives you guidance about how to turn it on.  Once we did that, everything was wonderful.

They offer various sizes.  Because we had never used them before I chose the 2" version at $17.99 plus $5.99 for shipping for each.

My Robot Nation's Order Confirmation

If creating the robot was fun, then reading the follow-up emails verifying our order and keeping us up to date with each step of the process has been even more fun.

We created the robots on Saturday and received the order confirmation with this nice affirmation for the creator of the robot.  I cannot begin to tell you how much this meant to my granddaughter, even though it was obviously a 'canned' reply. 

Your uniquely awesome robot creation, qwerty, has been successfully ordered and is on the way to the Robot Factory to be made real with full-color 3D printing!

They really know how to build community through their communication.  And, frankly, that is as important to a child, or an adult who wants to look like a hero to that child as making the robot itself.

Off to Manufacturing...

By Sunday, we received notice that Querty and Henry were on their way to manufacturing.  Again, it was highly affirmative for the creator.  It's nice to be told that you did an awesome job.

We thought you'd like to know that your incredible creation, qwerty, is on its way to being made real RIGHT NOW with full color 3D printing at the My Robot Nation Robot Factory. Your unique robot blueprint goes into the 3D printer and awesomeness comes out: your robot, custom created for you in full color!

 

It's shipped!

By Wednesday, we received the news we'd been waiting to hear.  Qwerty and Henry were on the way.

But, here is were I REALLY have t take my hat off to the My Robot Nation team.  Not only did they fire off an equally affirmative message with the exciting news about shipping.  They do so in style.

Woo hoo!! My Robot Nation is so excited to announce that your totally unique creation, Henry, has been made real and is on its way home to you!
Just take a look at the AWESOMENESS you brought into the world!



  Your robot will be shipped out to you today, safely nestled in its protective packaging. It is perfect and beautiful when it ships from our factory, but if something ghastly happens in transit, please let us know immediately at orders@myrobotnation.com and let us help you!

That last paragraph, immediately tells me that they stand behind not only their work; but, their packaging and choice of shipper!   The girls really liked seeing the image of the actual printed robot.  And, I really liked the fact that at every step my granddaughter's creative efforts were so nicely acknowledged.

These won't be the last robots they create.

Take a look for yourself...  http://www.myrobotnation.com

UPDATE:  The Robots arrived within 7 days of ordering.  Here they are hanging out together!

A nice experience at every step!

RapMan 3.2: The Build Experience - Part 2

Well... it didn't take me long to find out that living in the USA poses some challenges in building a product from a factory located in Great Britain.

It actually has nothing to do with Bits from Bytes and everything to do with the fact that the United States is still not a metric nation.  Do you know how difficult it is to find a metric wrench under 6mm?  I didn't either.  But, I do now.  So, I have some advice...

If you live in the USA and you order a RapMan printer, I urge you to also purchase the RapMan Custom tool kit that they also offer for sale.  Doing so will save you a LOT of time, trouble and probably money.

But, if you have ordered the Kit and not already purchased the RapMan Toolkit, then I hope I can save you at least a little aggravation and time by pointing you to places where you can purchase the tools you need.  Just don't expect to get them all in one place.

SMALL METRIC WRENCHES

Neither Sears, nor any of the big box hardware stores normally carry metric wrenches below 6mm.  However, in some stores and online they do carry a Craftsmen 10 piece metric ignition wrench set.  It includes sizes: 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6 thru 11mm and sells for $19.99 at the time this is being written.

I found a single Sears store that carried this set within a radius of 50 miles from my zip code.  So, I looked elsewhere.

There are a few hobby stores near me.  And, I was able to find the a set of tools that contained 5 small box end wrenches in sizes 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm. 5.5mm and 6.0 mm.  The set is also sold through Amazon as the #60008 21 PIECE MINI;TOOL SET EXCEL.

Fortunately, there is a Grainger near me and they just started carrying metric tools from ACU-MIN or Moody Tools.  Here is the link to a set of 8 wrenches that cover sizes 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.2mm, 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm and 7mm. and what this set looks like.

This set is a higher quality than others and goes for $43.40.

Another alternative for metric box wrenches from 6mm and up are automotive stores.  Here is a 6mm wrench by Autocraft that is sold through Advanced Auto Parts.  This is part AC376 6mm wrench..

They can be purchased individually or in sets.  Here is a set of metric wrenches that ranges from 8mm to 15mm.

Pricing on Autocraft parts varies, apparently, by location.

BALL-HEAD METRIC HEX WRENCHES

I could find metric hex wrenches relatively easily.  However, that is NOT exactly what you need to complete a RapMan build.  What you REALLY need are BALL-HEAD metric hex wrenches.  And, finding these took me a lot of time and even more luck.  I was looking for a set of small metric ignition wrenches when I went into Advanced Auto Parts.  That is where I stumbled across a set of metric ball-head hex wrenches with every size that one needs to complete a RapMan build!

Finding the AC456 Autocraft 10-Piece Metric Hex Key Set Long Arm (Ball Head) made my day.

It includes the following sizes... 1.27mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm 10mm.  These cover, I believe, ALL the sizes we need to complete our build.  The reason for the need of Ball-Head hex wrenches is due to the fact that some of the set screws that are used cannot be tightened from directly above.  They have to be accessed from the side.

CONCLUSION

While it is possible to locate the proper tools to put together a RapMan 3D Printer in the USA, it is not as straightforward as it might be in Europe where metric is the standard for tools.  So, ordering the RapMan custom tool set should save you a LOT of running around.  And, it will put everything you need right in front of you in one compact package.

RapMan 3.2: The Build Experience - Part 1

While I have watched, for a long time, the development of the RepRap 3D printers, I resisted the urge to buy one because I'm more interested in PRINTING in 3D than BUILDING a 3D printer.

Let's face it.  It IS quite an undertaking.

But, because I want to be ready for the Cube, when it arrives later this year, I thought it wise to bite the bullet, buy a RapMan 3.2 kit and build one.  Had I opened the box before making the commitment to buy I think my instincts for laziness would have kicked in immediately and I would not have been writing this series of articles.

There are a LOT of parts in that box!!!

I had hoped that a friend, who is inclined to build things, would be able to help me out.  But, he's busy building much more important things that will allow schools to send experiments into space.  So, that evasive idea fell apart.  Thus.... I forged ahead.

Thankfully, the documents and 3D active images that you can download from the Bit From Bytes site are very well done.  And that helped boost my confidence a bit.  But, it is STILL a big job.  So, I decided that organizing the process was my only hope.

Craft stores carry small bags meant to sort beads.  So, I purchased some of those to hold the parts and hardware.  Using a Dymo LabelWriter printer, each part was labeled and bagged.  Then I arranged the bags in order of the identification numbers in the RapMan documentation.    

I felt this was more helpful than trying to find the parts in the sheets, from which they are cut, as I was building.  The sheets are large and would also limit my build area.  As it is, I am using a 4'x8' table along with two other small tables.  As I said, there are a LOT of parts to a RapMan.

By the way, I also felt that it would ultimately save time if I put the correct bolt/washer/nut combinations together as I bagged the variously sized bolts so that I don't have to go hunting for the right combinations during the subsequent build process.  In the USA, we are not as familiar with metric sizes.  So, sorting ahead of time and having a separate bag for each size is probably going to be helpful.

I've finally gotten to the point where I THINK the task is organized enough to proceed.  Sorting, as I have, also let me find that I'm missing one 3M Nylon washer, which I can easily pick up locally.  And, it's also been helpful in identifying ALL the tools I will need to proceed.  So, at least for now, taking the time to sort, bag and label seems like a good idea.  We'll see how much it helps or hurts as I dive into the real work of building a RapMan.

And, that begins in earnest this evening.  Wish me luck.  I'll need it!  :)

It's Time to Specialize!

We are at a momentous time in the progress of 3D printing development.

With the advent of Cubify and the Cube 3D printer, for the first time we have a 3D printing product clearly aimed at the general consumer population.

While consumer 3D printers have always been my hope and goal.  And, will probably occupy the greater focus of my energy, I do not want that focus to cause confusion or neglect of the other great 3D printing products new emerging.

So I have decided to divide the coverage of 3D printing developments into two different blogs.

CubifyFans.blogspot.com will concentrate specifically on the Cubify and Cube user community.  It will deal with everything at a consumer interest level.

This site will be devoted to what I will call the "Light Industrial" machines, otherwise known as RepRap machines.  I don't define these by price.  To some extent, they are defined by the fact that they can be customized by the user in profound ways.  Sure, consumers can purchase and use them.  But, most of those consumers are not going to be attracted to the Cube.  They will be more hands-on individuals.

The Cube will not be entirely neglected here.  Any time I have important new posts, I will add a link and a short description here to the article on the Cubify Fans blog.  But, I want this blog to focus on a hugely creative bunch of people improving and expanding the capabilities of RepRap machines.

In the meantime, you might like this video of what NOT to design for your 3D printer!!!

What comes to mind is that we really need to grapple with the liability issues of putting up our homemade designs for others to build.  But, that is a whole different topic for another time.

To be fair, as long as you don't have to answer your iPhone, the shoes are pretty cool!

No matter what your interest in 3D printing, we hope to try to keep up with developments as quickly as possible.  And, we also promise NOT to simply throw up press releases!

At Long Last! 3D Printing for the Rest of Us!

If you look to the right on this page you will see that this blog began many years ago as it became evident that 3D creation and 3D printing were destined to be invited into the homes of consumers. While it didn't happen as quickly as I had hoped, I am extremely excited to be able to say that the longed for days are finally here with the introduction of Cubify.com and the Cube desktop 3D printer by 3D Systems.



Cubify.com and the Cube were rolled out at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week. If you'd like to see the Cube in action here is a link to the first C/Net CES report by Brian Tong.

But, of course, we also need to acknowledge the creative work of those pioneers in the RepRap community upon which this achievement was built.


RepRap from Adrian Bowyer on Vimeo.
What is different about the Cube 3D Printer is that it is not a kit and its design and packaging are consumer friendly.
Is it where home 3D printing is still destined to go? No. The surfaces it produces are not going to be perfectly smooth. But, it's going to be more than good enough to encourage our creative juices to flow freely in a way few inventions have done before. And, believe it or not, I am convinced that it is going to encourage our children and grandchildren to see opportunitees in the world around them in a whole new way!
In the coming days, weeks and months our knowledge and experience with the Cube will grow. But, for now, I'm just going to congratulate 3D Systems and say "Thank you!"

Picking Up And Moving Forward!

This blog was created in 2007. Even back then it was evident that 3D printing was going to be inevitable. The only question was how soon and how costly.

It was started in May of that year. And, it continued until December of that same year when, with the sale of Desktop Factory to 3D Systems, the maker of the V-Flash, it became apparent that it was going to be a while before 3D printers would be affordable to consumers and artists... the groups of most interest to me.

Fortunately, Cathy Lewis, the CEO of Desktop Factory, who is now Vice President, Global Marketing, for 3D Systems, never turned her back on the quest for an affordable 3D printer. And, neither have her superiors. In fact, 3D Systems, a maker of high-end systems, has embraced the low end marketplace by acquiring and marketing the Rapman, 3DTouch and BotMill products!

Equally fortunately, some creative and innovative individuals have also worked hard to bring the costs and complexities of owning a 3D printer down to well under $1,000. One of the more intriquing products in terms of both cost and simplicity to build is the Printrbot, by Brook Drumm.



So, the time has come to pick up the dream, dust it off and begin anew to explore a budding industry that may be surprisingly near to that tipping point where it will become as common as color laser printers in homes and businesses.

While I plan to pick up one or more 3D printers, this blog will not focus on any particular brand. At the core, it will be about 3D printing, not 3D printers. Of course, we will talk about the 3D printers we use because that will be our primary experience. All we can promise is that we'll just do the best we can to explain anything and everything that we discover as we trot off on our own 3D printing adventures.

We'll also do our best to encourage developers to come up with new 3D design programs that create printable objects with user interfaces that are a LOT easier than those on the market now. For 3D printing to thrive, we have to have intuitive 3D software tools. Again, there are some promising developments in this arena, too. But, those products that seem most promising also seem to have limitations when it comes to producing a mesh that lens itself to object printing. But, this WILL change. And, we will try to follow the progress of bringing the hardware and software requirements to a successful synergy for consumers and artists.

Our background is video and photography. So, we will try to capture as many videos and high quality stills that we can to explain what we are seeing and experiencing. When things go wrong, we will try to visually document what, why and how fix it.

Finally, we will try to search out and identify as many resources on the web as we can find. In fact, while we wait for our first 3D printer to arrive, that will be our first task. It's amazing how many wonderful and enthusiastic 3D printing resources have come to exist in just 4 years.

This is going to be fun! A LOT of fun!!

Gamer Alert - Wall Street Journal Article

Here is a link to an excellent article published in the Wall Street Journal that discusses the rapid rise in the number of companies dedicated to proving physical models of virtual world through 3D printing.

Writer Robert Guth has done a great job of researching a wide variety of companies that promise to turn virtual web world models into physical models sitting on your desk. There is even a company dedicated to providing terrain models of actual world features for under $100! Want to climb Mt. McKinley? Print the model.

Electronic Arts is even getting into the 3D printing game. Check out the article at:

How 3-D Printing Figures To Turn Web Worlds Real

It just keeps getting better!