MakerBot Industries

Hot on the heels of ReplicatorG 0026, we are already releasing a new version, ReplicatorG 0027. Most users will see no major feature additions in this version, but there are a stack of bugfixes, including the automated build platform belt issue, as well as  some important user interface improvements and other tweaks. However, for advanced users, we did include support for our experimental DualStrusion process into this release as a full feature, so it’s easier to get those awesome multi-color prints. The UI tweaks come compliments of Rob Giseburt, one of our community contributors. He had a great idea for a design to simplify skeinforge settings selection, and it worked so well we included in into our codebase. Many thanks to Rob!

Some details on the interface tweaks after the jump!

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We’ve all been there: in the middle of a session, the singer wants to change key.  Sure, not a problem;  just slap a capo on there so you can keep all of the sweet fingerings you’ve worked out.

But oh no!  Where’s your capo?  How could you have not left your capo in your gigbag?

Well, thanks to hairygael, if the recording studio has a MakerBot (as I’m sure most will in time) you can just print one out!  You’ll need the spring from a clothespin (which again any recording studio should have…maybe) and some rubber (a rubber band will work) and you’re golden.

Ok…well, this might not save the day instantly, but it’s still pretty cool to have a fully printable capo up on Thingiverse.  Well done!

Capodastre-V1 by hairygael

Well, this is my first attempt. This is a capodastre for folk guitar but it might also work for classic.I haven't printed it yet because I haven't finished my printer. No idea if it's thick enough to resist pressure. But if anybody feels like trying...

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ABS, PLA, PVA, Oh My! In this episode of MakerBot TV we explore the ins and outs of our three printable plastics. Find out what they’re made of and how to print with them. Also hear about the tiny green men that are invading the Bot Cave! Don’t miss this stellar episode of MakerBot TV! Thank you Thingiverse users tbuser for the f-bomb design and gpvillamil for the flying saucer and tiny green men. 

Dr. Bulinski took some time out of her busy day to weigh in on the first crab encounters.

After looking at the footage, I don’t think I would classify the first video with Kourtney as a true examination.  It looked like she just walked over it.  In my experience, when the crabs investigate a shell, they really take the time to move it around in its appendages, insert claws inside and rotate the shell around.  The second video (Khloe) looks more like an investigation–I think I would go so far as to say that it would be “Examination-inserted appendages into shell.

I appreciate these professional observations, and will update the earlier post to reflect Dr. Bulinski assessment. She continued:

One thing I noticed though was that the printed shell was WAY too large for the crabs.  If the printed shells were much smaller I think that you might have better luck with the crabs investigating and interacting with them.

I also felt the shell was too large, so I am printing 60% and 50% sized shells. They will soon be in ShellterWest, awaiting another crab encounter!

Thanks for the input Dr. Bulinski!

This guest post is part of Project Shellter.

“Prepare to be amazed.” That’s what Smithsonian.com says about MakerBot in a recent post on their Innovations blog. The blog asks the question “Will 3D printers become the new PCs?” and highlights a number of awesome things MakerBots have created, including Micah Ganske’s MakerBotted sculptures and Project Shellter. They also give Thingiverse a nice shout out, saying its “loaded with what’s described as “open-source art.”

When most of think us of internal combustion engines, we think of pistons exploding in a beautiful dance, with a crankshaft turning linear motion into circular motion. It’s a sight to see, and we can even print out such an example, courtesy of sirmakesalot.

However, there are other engines out there, and none perhaps more interesting than the Wankel engine. ROBK636 has created the engine rotor (as a fun keychain!) of this unorthodox design. Known perhaps most famously for being the engine of choice for the Mazda RX-7 and RX-8 sports cars, the Wankel engine has a place in hearts of many a gearhead. We thank ROBK636 for bringing this keychain to Thingiverse, and I hope this is just the start. How long before I can print out an entire assembly?

RX-7 / RX-8 Rotary Engine Rotor Keychain by ROBK636

Basic model of the engine rotor. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine

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Mystery Tag Hunt!

I had an idea for a little game, building on my recent call to action for people to tag things on Thingiverse.  Here’s how it works:

• I’ll pick something on Thingiverse and think up an appropriate tag for it. ¹
• To participate, all you have to do is find things on Thingiverse which would fit the tag I’ve suggested, tag that Thing, leave a comment that includes the phrase “taghunt” on that Thing.
• Later, I’ll check back on the mystery Thing.  The winner is the person who tags it and leaves the first “taghunt” comment.

The very first Mystery Tag Hunt tag is…  “hanger”

• Hint 1:  The mystery Thing doesn’t have any tags right now.
• Hint 2:  The mystery Thing doesn’t have the word “hanger” in the title, description, or instructions.

Good luck!

1. A tag that it does not already have. [↩]

Another cool thing from the Thingiverse camera section for this autumnal Friday: a whole quick-release system that you can just screw on to your existing tripod head!

This is a pretty basic design, but it’s very cool how it’s a totally modular add-on.  I personally don’t always love quick-releases, but with this, I can take it or leave it as I like…I think I might have to print out one of the bottom parts…and a few mounting plates.  Well done, Derekmellott!

Camera Quick Release by Derekmellott

A simple and strong quick release for you to quickly mount and dismount your camera, or whatever, on anything you want. I am using this to mount my DSLR on a time lapse panning rig. UPDATE I have added a redesigned handle that uses less material and can turn left or right. Another good use is to place this on a tripod that doesn't have a quick release.

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Protoceratops at the ROM by clothbot

Several months ago I had posted about a free website service called “My3DScanner.com“.  Basically, it lets you upload a number of photographs which their service turns into a cloud point which can then be converted into an STL for printing.¹

Clothbot has been playing with a similar service called Hypr3D.com.  Once you’ve uploaded photographs of the subject from different angles and Hypr3D has worked their magic, you can download a digital copy of your subject as a point cloud, STL, or 3D model in several formats.  A feature I really like is the in-browser 3D model viewer.

Such services don’t (yet) perfectly create meshes, so you may need to brush up on your MeshLab skillz, but they certainly take a lot of work out of the process and it is definitely more convenient to carry your smart-phone-camera rather than a 3D scanner.

1. Tony Buser provides a summary of his toolpath for doing this here. [↩]

Today is a proud day for those of us on the support team — one of our own, MikeBattaglia, has created a featured Thingiverse item!  And yes, it’s a toilet paper holder!

It’s actually a really nice toilet paper holder, and (though it isn’t shown in the photo) the item’s organic curves generate a sort of wood-grain pattern on portion of the print.  It’s a very groovy, rec-room-esque piece.  Print one for your mancave!

Well done Mike!

TP Holder by MikeBattaglia

This is a toilet paper holder. You can use it to hold toilet paper. This is a good thing to have for when you have toilet paper, but nothing to hold it with.

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