Renault Trucks Shows us the Future of 3D Printed Engines

Renault Trucks shows how industrial 3d printing could drastically reduce weight and number of parts needed for a modern internal combustion engine. The weight is reduced by 120 kg and the number of parts is reduced by 200. This could lead to lower fuel consumption, cheaper engines and simpler replacement parts chain.





Company website:

http://www.renault-trucks.com/

Adam's DIY 3D Printer Made From Salvaged Parts

Adam made this 3d printer form junk parts of an old paper printer, scanner and some bought cheap Chinese parts. It looks good.





It's good to see that RepStrap projects are still being made.

Adams YT channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQyiAjNb1iIduPmNM2Uk1ag

LulzBot TAZ MOARstruder for Heavy-duty 3D Printing

For those demanding high-volume jobs on big objects LulzBot has released their MOARstruder extruder.
It is priced at 395 USD.


From produce description:

Bigger. Faster. Stronger. MOAR: The LulzBot TAZ MOARstruder Tool Head is a high output tool head with an extra-long heater block, dual print cooling fans, and a 1.2 mm diameter nozzle. These features enable high-speed printing and tough 3D printed objects.

Here is the video presentation:



MOARstruder homepage:

https://www.lulzbot.com/store/tool-heads/lulzbot-taz-moarstruder-tool-head

Everything you need to know about copyright and intellectual property in context of 3d printing in one simple video

Thomas has another great video where he clarifies issues of copyright, intellectual property, patent and open source in context of 3d printing. It's a must-watch if you are interested in 3d printing on more professional level.

DIY Gauss Meter with 3D Printed Enclosure

Anthony aka. "Proto G" published this Instructable where he made a useful DIY Gauss meter which is controlled with Arduino Nano. 

Project description:

In this instructable, I will show you how to make a Gauss meter than can measure the strength of magnets so you can compare different magnets you have. It measures the magnets in units called Gauss and has a relatively linear range from 0-4000 Gauss. It will measure beyond that but the numbers beyond 4000 Gauss should only be used for comparison purposes. In addition to measuring the field strength, it also detects the polarity of the magnet and will show North or South, respectively. My favorite part about this design is the ON/OFF switch. It's hidden in the enclosure so the meter can only be turned on and off with a magnet. Since this unit is meant to measure magnets, you're sure to have one on hand. You can use the same latching magnetic switch I designed for many other things like a secret compartment lock. Here's a video showing the complete assembly:

You can see the full construction manual at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dual-Sensor-Gauss-Meter/

How to service and maintain your 3d printer

Thomas shows us a guide on how to service and maintain your 3d printer.

RooBee One Open Source DLP SLA 3D Printer

Aldric Negrier developed this DLP projector based open sourced 3d printer. It looks easy to assemble and cheap to make. It all depends on how cheap can you find a suitable projector. 

Project description:

Roobee One is an SLA DLP 3D printer inspired on the Cristelia - SLA/LCD 3d printer and the Vulcanus MAX 3D printer.
It is built out of 20x20 mm aluminum profile chassis, It has an adustable print area of 80x60x200 mm up to 150x105x200mm build volume using a ACER DLP projector.
The open-source machine is called RooBee One because it is red color just like a Ruby gem.

RooBee One presentation video:



Detailed build guide can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/RooBee-One-SLA-DLP-Aluminum-Frame-3D-Printer/

Thingiverse page:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2001118

Cristella 3d printer (open source, daylight):

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1680172

3D Printed Car Navigation based on Raspberry Pi

Greg Holloway made a car navigation system based on Raspberry Pi and 7 inch screen that is held by 3d printed dashboard structure. It was printed on E3D BigBox machine with the help of SpoolWorks scaffold soluble support material.
The car is Suzuki Jimny. Software used is open source Navit.

Detailed step-by-step construction guide can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printed-In-Dash-GPS-Navigation-Raspberry-Pi-3/

Thingiverse page for the files:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1701583

Reiner Schmidt shows his 3d printed 6 axis DIY robotic arm

Reiner Schmidt shows his 3d printed six axis DIY robot arm. It is based on heavily modified open source Moveo by BCN3D mixed with THOR and powered by Raspberry Pi 3.

How to convert your 3d printer into a CNC mill

Thomas shows us how he converted his MendelMax 3 into a desktop CNC mill. It can even mill aluminum.





Here is a link to ESTLCam software Thomas mentioned in the video:

http://estlcam.de/

Project page:

http://toms3d.org/2017/01/12/__trashed-2/

Why Millebot?

Millebot is a large 3d printer that lives inside a shipping container. The idea behind it looks interesting...




... BUT

Why use this strange paste / foam for 3d print? and then mill it afterwards?

Building retainer walls for anything? Are you serious?

The operation will need a LOT of electrical power, material and overall complex logistic support.

Nice try, but I think it still needs a use case and overall technology improvements.

Millebot homepage:

http://www.millebot.com/

Source:

http://makezine.com/2017/01/05/mille-shipping-container-doubles-3d-printer/

Off topic: Some hypnotic CNC lathe machining

Low Cost DIY SLS 3D Printer by Vulcaman

Vulcaman, well known for his previous machines, has released his latest sintering 3d printer you can make for some 500 Euro: the JRLS 1000.
It is still far from commercial machines, but this field is progressing forward and that is the most important thing. Vulcaman is only 18 years old, so we can hope much more from him in the future.

Key features:

• 5x5x5cm build volume
• 1.8w 445nm laser
• 80w 12V heated-bed
• 150w 230V powder heater with IR-Sensor
• coater which compresses the powder
• adjustable Feed control
• overflow container
• closed build chamber
• low cost

Most prints are currently done in instant tea powder which is 95% sugar, but the powder is used because of its red color which will absorb the 450nm laser well. White sugar will not work, because it will just reflect the laser. The laser is focused to 0.2mm. The power of the laser is set to 1W.

Here is the machine printing:



Detailed build guide and all the files:

http://www.instructables.com/id/JRLS-1000-DIY-SLS-3D-PRINTER/

3D Printable Astrophotography with RasPi Zero

If you are interested in astrophotography and you want to make a low cost DIY setup here is a great project. Greg Holloway developed a Raspberry Pi Zero based wireless camera for a 1.25" telescope eyepiece receptacle with 3d printed casing. It is battery powered so you can take it in the wilderness to observe the stars.

Full project description, all the files and software can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Astrophotography-With-the-Raspberry-Pi-Zero/?ALLSTEPS

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1892757

He also developed a 3d printable solar filter case:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1904985

How crazy are the Finns?

Well ... besides crushing various thing in a hydraulic press they also use LARGE 3d printers at Prenta to make molds for pykrete stuff. Pykrete ammunition to be more specific.




And then they use that ammo in a BIG air cannon:




I like Finland!


Prenta homepage (largest 3d printing machines in Scandinavia):

http://www.prenta.fi/en/

If you don't know what pykrete is:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pykrete

Blackwolf 3D Printer Developed in Croatia

I was surprised when I saw Blackwolf for the first time at a Maker Faire in my regional capitol. Blackwolf is a large 3d printer with full enclosure that is developed in Croatia, city of Sisak.
Hopefully we will get more information about it soon.


Here is Blackwolf working at Osijek Maker Faire:

Here is a video of printing L 2 model:




You can find more information about this machine at:

Blackwolf Facebook page

GraphSCAD Nodal Editor for OpenSCAD

Dimitri Kolovitz developed GraphSCAD nodal editor for OpenSCAD scripts. It gives an interesting new way of working in this environment with powerful features.


Here is a demonstration of basic workflow and features:




Project homepage where you can follow the development and download it:

https://graphscad.blogspot.com/

At this time it is still a beta, but it look promising.

gDraw Software that Converts 2D Drawing into G-Code

Niklas Roy developed gDraw software that enables you to draw in 2D and then export it as 3D printable g-code.

In this example he used it to create simple Christmas card:

Learn more about gDraw here:

http://www.niklasroy.com/articles/194/gdraw-free-software-for-you

GitHub repository:

https://github.com/royrobotiks/gDraw

Sometimes you have to work hard for your 3d print!

Project homepage:

http://urbainstudio.com/#/the-graduation-trophy/

Update:

There are several similar projects, like this one:

Christoph 3D Printes a Brushless Motor to Power his Flying Wing

Christoph Laimer designed and made a very functional DC brushless electric motor.

Here is a test of his 3d printed brushless motor, it explodes above 30000 RPM:




Project homepage with data and files:

http://www.makesea.com/brushless-motor


He used this motor on a DIY RC flying wing with success. He even developed and 3d printed the propeller.




Here is a link for the propeller page.

DIY Filament Dryer and Cleaner Made with Hairdryer and Sponge

Stanciu Alexandru developed a simple DIY filament dryer and cleaner. The heat for drying is provided by simple hairdryer and cleaning module uses common sponge.

All the instructions and files can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/3d-Printed-Filament-Dryercleaner/

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1936600

DIY Glass FDM 3D Printer by Stefanie Pender

Stefanie Pender made a glass FDM machine which extrudes molten glass guided by an industrial robotic arm. Glass is melted by oxygen/propane welding torch.  She achieves simple geometric forms, but she gets A for effort and coolness in my book.

Printer working:




Here is the glass "filament" extruder:




Detailed project overview can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Glass-Fused-Deposition-Modeling-FDM/

Dtto 3D Printable Modular Open Sourced Transformer Robot

Dtto robot is just cool! See it here in the video presentation:





Project description:

The Dtto v1.0 Robot is a modular transformable robot designed to be versatile, flexible and self-reconfigurable. The idea of modular robots is that they can adopt any shape they want, by changing the position and the connection of their modules.

This robot is aimed for research on modular self-reconfigurable robots and educational purposes. It is designed to allow multiple modules to communicate, mechanically connect and disconnect and to work collaboratively in the locomotion, self-reconfigurability and efficient movement.

The versatility of the robot will allow it, in the future, to be able to perform rescue operations, exploration of unknown environments and space exploration.

In future works, the modules will have built in camera, ultra-sound sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer… The possibilities are endless.

Dtto key features:

• Small and self-contained robot
• Fully 3D printable
• Self-reconfiguration capabilities
• Bluetooth + Radio communication
• Multiple locomotion modes (snake, wheel, walker...)
• Rechargable batteries
• Simulation model validated
• Cheap modules (<55 USD)
• Open Source Hardware and Software
• FIRST OPEN-SOURCE SELF-RECONFIGURABLE MODULAR ROBOT!

Dtto is made from modules:

Hackaday project homepage:

https://hackaday.io/project/9976-dtto-explorer-modular-robot

Dtto GitHub:

https://github.com/otrebla333/Dtto-Modular-Robot


Dtto was inspired by high-end MTRAN3 robot system:

Tom Stanton 3D Prints his RC Flying Wing

Tom Stanton show us his trials and tribulations to get a 3d printed flying wing RC aircraft in the air. Interesting watch if you are into this hobby.

Here is his first video where he goes into design and basic parts printing:



Here is the fully 3d printed flying wing being developed and tested:



The aircraft was printed from clear PLA filament with a 0,4mm nozzle at 220 degree Celsius to maximise the layer strength. Weight of the aircraft was 730g.

Tom's Thingiverse page:

http://www.thingiverse.com/StantonFrames/about

Simple Technique to Acetone Polish your ABS Prints

DIY Perks YT channel published this video with very simple and effective way to acetone vapor polish ABS parts with a simple glass container. Finished parts look very good and smooth.


Here is a tutorial video:



This technique uses the fact that acetone vapors are heavier then air and they fall down in a container. Water is used to create an air tight seal.

Make your own 3D printable handheld tractor beam emitter

Asier Marzo, a researcher at Bristol University, made this amazing project where you can make your own DIY handheld tractor beam. Currently it holds only small objects like liquid droplets or small insects.
It is Arduino controlled, cheap to make and uses ultrasonic sound emitters to produce the tractor field. You can make it for some 70 USD and with basic electronics skills. Ideal educational or school science project.


Here is a video of the device in action with some construction instructions:






It is like simplified home made sonic screwdriver from Doctor Who :-) Here you can see a small red liquid droplet floating in 3d printed sphere that holds ultrasonic transducers.

Step-by-step build guide with all the files and the code:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Acoustic-Tractor-Beam/

Detailed research paper with the science behind it and device design:

http://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/1.4972407


You can also find different type of the same device developed by the same author. It is a horizontal 3d printedplate array of ultrasonic emitters that make small objects levitate.

How to make a DIY camera lens from old optics

Mathieu Stern made a DIY monocle lens for his digital camera by using some vintage old optics and a 3D printer.


Here is the project video, the photographs are amazing:






Here is a project homepage with more details:

http://nofilmschool.com/2016/11/master-weird-lenses-just-made-3d-printed-lens-and-its-awesome


Here is the entire setup mounted on a camera:

DIY 3D Printed Camera Pan and Tilt Stand

Here is a simple and usable DIY project for you photography enthusiasts.  It is a pan and tilt camera stand or goniometer. It is developed by Instructables user smurray2. Nice project.

All the files and instructions can be found at:

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printed-Pan-Tilt-Goniometer/