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February 07 2012
X Buckteeth Leader by timmytool
X Buckteeth Leader parametric by timmytool
If you’re rockin’ a Thing-O-Matic, consider installing this clever upgrade from timmytool. This little plastic part allows you to customize the belt height in your X axis to the height where your X belt naturally rides. If the place where the belt is held in place on the X carriage is too high or low, it can create additional vibration and noise.
Plus, it kinda looks like a wacky robot face.
October 27 2011
Thing-O-Matic Pro Tip: Extra USB Cable
Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription is more USB cables!
One of the coolest features of the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic 3D printer is the enclosed electronics contained entirely within the base of the machine. Not only does it help keep the cables organized and electronic bits out of the way, but it makes for a more polished and clean looking machine when sitting on your desk. Once your bot is assembled, you’re going to be having too much fun making things to ever want to open it up again.
…which is the source of inspiration from today’s Thing-O-Matic pro tip courtesy of resident MakerBot software developer Matt Metts. Matt suggests running an extra USB cable, A to B, to the extruder board inside and leaving it there. That way you won’t have to keep opening your Thing-O-Matic each time you want to update your extruder’s firmware!
May 17 2011
You’ve got a Cupcake in my Thing-O-Matic!
Thing-o-matic modified backplane to accomodate rear-mounted electronics by usiegj00
I realize full well that there are very practical reasons for wanting external electronics on a 3D printer. That’s one of the cool things about the MakerBot Cupcake CNC. It’s a snap to just jump right in, disconnect some wires, swap out circuit boards, and generally just hack and tinker away.
With an automated build platform, MK5 extruder1 , MK6 plus heater upgrade kit, safety cutoff switch, Twotimes Z-rider, and Twotimes Mendel inspired XY lowrider carriage you can upgrade your Cupcake to near-Thing-O-Matic abilities.
Seeing usiegjoo’s modification of their Thing-O-Matic gave me a good chuckle. Ever since seeing Charles Pax’s Muffin CNC, I wanted to perform a similar hack to put the electronics inside my Cupcake. So, despite knowing all of the practical benefits to external electronics, I couldn’t help but think of this an almost… downgrade for the Thing-O-Matic. 2 Since the release of the Thing-O-Matic the trend has been very much the reverse – with people working to upgrade their Cupcakes to near-Thing-O-Matic levels of functionality.
- Apparently the truly adventurous can try their hand at the completely unofficial and unsupported wiki entries on the StepStruder MK6 with Gen 4 electronics.
- That said, it’s not a downgrade. It’s really more of an alternate configuration.
December 25 2010
November 22 2010
LoBotomy Clinic
Even Walt thinks the LoBotomy Clinic is a good idea
Do you remember the days of old? Will you tell your grandchildren of the days when a robot with problems was left to fend for themselves with no chance of improvement feeding on stray bits of plastic, smelling of burnt hair and ABS. This are things that will be lost in time, like tears in the rain, like the sound of a connecting modem or a hard drive spinning up. For, our modern times have brought us the LoBotomy Clinic! No longer will your ‘bots question your awesome makin’ skillz. 1 Here’s the latest from the LoBotomy Clinicians:
lo·Bot·o·my
noun 1. A series of radical and invasive physical therapies, used to treat ailing robots.Sad robots make sad humans. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, you could call the A-Team. Or you could check your robot into the LoBotomy Clinic. You can fill out the Intake Form in advance or just show up with your busted bot and we’ll help you diagnose and troubleshoot to get it in tip top shape. Learn the best tips for 3D printing and preventative maintenance, or drop by if you just want to see some finely tuned bots in action. We are looking forward to seeing you at Botacon 0!
Even if your ‘bot doesn’t need any TLC, you have to take a look at that sweet Intake Form.
November 10 2010
Supersize Your 3D Printer!
Z Axis Extender Kit for Makerbot Cupcake by Zydac
Thingiverse citizen Zydac just uploaded his Z axis extender kit for the MakerBot Cupcake 3D printer. The Z axis threaded rods that ship with a Cupcake CNC are already longer than you need – which allows for Z axis cranks, Z axis toppers, and Z axis extenders such as Chooch’s designs. The interesting contribution from Zydac’s designs is the way in which it elevates the four Z axis rods to nearly level with the printing platform. This idea allowed Zydac to extend his printer’s Z-axis even higher than you could get by simply raising the top panel of the Cupcake. It’s also interesting to note that his designs allow for the extra height to be adjusted, depending upon the particular requirements of your print job or machine’s capabilities.
So, who’s ready to crack the tallest print hall of fame record?
clifford
October 16 2010
September 28 2010
Speaking of MakerBot upgrades…
An automated build platform so cool, it makes me want to misspell the word fierce
Chooch has been hard at work on another printable automated build platform. What I like about this version over his prior, is that it incorporates a few design changes that give it a lower profile to preserve Z axis printing space, slightly more width by switching the nozzle brush to the other size, and, of course it is printable. Oh, did I forget it mention it has teeth too? 1
This is a great addition to the long list of printable upgrades MakerBot owners can use to improve their ‘bots.
Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but Chooch, where’s my Pfierce Z-axis extender kit???
- I kinda wish we could figure out a way to actually use those teeth in normal operation.
September 13 2010
Duplo Brick Train Track Adapter by Zydac
Duplo Brick to Brio Track adapter
I just love this new Duplo to train track adapter by Zydac. It is absolutely brilliant on so many levels. First off, I just like anything that extends an existing toy. That this extends two different kinds of toys just makes it that much cooler. I remember as a kid having Duplo blocks and then eventually “graduating” to regular Lego bricks. The problem is that once you move to the “older” toy, the Duplos become obsolete.
What I like most about this thing is that it totally solves the problem of what do with old Duplo bricks after your kids1 outgrow them. Now these old bricks don’t have to be relegated for a dusty bin in the garage. They can be repurposed and renewed with a totally different toy.
How much more useful are toys when you can use them together seamlessly? Is this a linear progress – are both toys twice as useful? With zero actual evidence to back it up, I expect the usefulness would be exponential.
What would you do with a MakerBot? How would you make toy converters and adapters? How would you upgrade your toys?
- Or you.
August 20 2010
February 15 2010
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