While a vast improvement over previous extruders, the MK7 can still prove challenging for those wanting to get started with PLA. However, while PLA is more picky in the settings surrounding how it is printed, its benefits over other printing materials make getting over the calibration hurdle well worth it. It has little to no smell when extruded, can be used without a heated bed, undergoes less warping and cracking and can produce highly detailed features and surfaces when used in conjunction with a cooling fan. So read on and with any luck you'll be happily printing with it too. While following applies directly to those using an MK7 on a Thing-O-Matic using skeinforge 35, those using other machines and configurations should find some of this information useful. It is also likely that the following instructions will apply to those who own a Replicator as the MK8 appears to be very similar to the MK7. Be sure to have a look at the 'Tips & Troubleshooting' at the end. Continue reading
ProtoParadigm Blog
-
Did we mention we have Red and Green in 3mm ABS?
We didn't mention the new 3mm colors? Oh, well for your printing pleasure we are happy to now offer Red 3mm ABS and Green 3mm ABS. Go crazy.
Mean Green
No Rhyme Red -
Investigating Flash Breaker Tape
We're always working to find better ways to do things. We feel it's important to report on the things that don't work out as well as on the successes.
A while back we decided to try using Flash Breaker Tape as a print surface material, seeing if it had any advantages over Polyimide Tape (also known by the trademarked name Kapton). Flash Breaker Tape is used in the composite manufacturing and repair industry, particularly in aerospace applications. Ours came from Atacs Products. It is a thin-film polyester tape that uses a silicone adhesive just as Polyimide Tape does. In short, we found that it does not perform as well as Polyimide Tape for print-bed surfacing, though it did work in one application.
-
What to do with a 3D Printer: Be a Valentine Hero!
This year for Valentines, my son's day-care put on a little party for the kids and each child was asked to bring valentines for the their class-mates. Normally this would have meant a walk down the retail trenches of our nearest big chain department store for something cheap and unoriginal; but this year, with a 3D Printer, it meant something much more special.
-
Red, Blue, and Green are looking good to me!
We're feeling especially primary today with our new stock of Red, Blue and Green 1.75mm ABS. Grab some quick and print that selectable-any-color-peristence-of-vision-pin-wheel.
It's Red Ted
and Blue Sue
don't forget Green... Gene? -
What to do with a 3D Printer: Video Production Field Use
Earlier this week Mechan Media was in Seattle on a production and had our Mosaic on loan to see what applications they had for it. As it turns out, it saved the shoot!
-
Comparing Entry Level 3D Printers
Dec 5, 2012 : Please note that this post contains out of date information and is in need of revision. May we suggest these other fine links?
The Differences Between ABS and PLA
3D Printer Filament Buyers Guide
These days there are a number of personal 3D Printers to choose from. Personal, hobby, open-source, accessible, desktop, or whatever else you want to call them; they are a new breed of 3D Printers. A 3D Printer you can own and operate in your own home, producing before your eyes anything you can imagine with materials an order of magnitude cheaper than previous commercial 3D Printers.
Below are some statistics and descriptions of currently available or soon to be released personal 3D printers.
-
Red and Green are here; more are on the horizon
It's about time we had more colors around here. Which is why we are very happy to have Red and Green 1.75 PLA on the shelves eagerly waiting to bring 3D printing happiness. As always, this filament is extruded to tip-top standards. High tolerance, consistently circular, and of consistent density all the way through will continue to give you the good looking, strong prints you can expect from our plastic.
-
Black and White are Back in Stock!
We're happy to have both 1.75 Black ABS and 1.75 White PLA filaments are back in stock and ready to once again rock your printing world. Grab some now before it goes again! Also, check back soon for new colors! Feed your 3D Printer.
I'm Back in Stock!
So am I! -
What to do with a 3d Printer: Make a Custom Microscope Adapter
I had an old Nikon medical laboratory microscope and really wanted to find a way to take photos through it so I could share what I was seeing with others. After looking around online and discovering that my only likely option was to have one custom made at great expense, I decided to build one.
