Download Improving the Makerbot 3D Printer

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Exponential back-off by computer when µIP flow-control used . . . . . .
Checking platform temperatures using an infra-red thermometer . . . . .
Synthetic 3D printer tests for basic calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bad print of the test in figure 5.4(D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital callipers being used to measure test cuboids . . . . . . . . . . . .
Test cuboid model (A) print from Skeinforge G-code before raft removal
(B) and after raft removal (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.8 3D printed vase with detailed corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.9 3D printed Z-axis handle comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.10 3D printed herringbone gear comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.11 Failed large print showing warping (A) and a collision with the extruder (B)
5.12 Folding ‘butterfly comb’, printed without a raft . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Flexible snake to test printing many thin fins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starfish to test layering appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Doorstop to test large, smooth gradients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Butterfly to test intricate islands of print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rabbit outline to test very thin structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Letter ‘A’ to test simple large shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Phone stand to test steep gradients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tooth to test large models with large overhanging areas . . . . . . . . . .
Multiple ‘metabricks’ to test building batches of objects . . . . . . . . . .
Twistable heart to test simple mechanisms and multi-part objects . . . .
Whistle (with pea printed inside) to test precise, air-tight objects with
simultaneously printed sub-components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B.12 Tweezers to test flexible designs (frequently used to remove excess extrusion produced during self-cleaning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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OpenSCAD showing a cube model compiled and rendered . .
ReplicatorG GUI showing a cube model loaded . . . . . . . .
Skeinforge profile selection dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extruder placed in the homing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extruder extruding plastic during a self-clean . . . . . . . . .
First layer being printed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fill pattern being printed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finished cuboid being ejected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Strings of plastic left during printing requiring manual removal
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B.1
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C.1 Main board circuit diagram (direct connections to stepper controllers omitted for clarity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C.2 End-stop circuit schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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