Anybody hear of this - 3D printers for every FIRST team

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

It is possible to build a 3D printer with mostly Legos.

In an amusing instance of symmetry, it is possible to produce LEGO bricks with almost any 3D printer.

[techhelpbb]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

In an amusing instance of symmetry, it is possible to produce LEGO bricks with almost any 3D printer.

That has been ultimately a primary motive for the RepRap project from the beginning

Building a mostly Lego based 3D printer to print Legos and therefore parts for more Lego based 3D printers is a fundamental form of a self-replicating machine.

Since generally RepRaps have some parts they can't print themselves it would be safe to assert a similar achievement toward the goal. Except the Legos have more general purpose application. So maybe someone can feed a Lego based 3D printer to a Lego based assembly machine that makes more 3D printers that....somewhere Lego is already thinking of expanding their 'lights out factory' using some of their own bricks I am sure. Hopefully the factory will stop building itself at some point.

[WaterClaw]

I wish we could use a 3-D printer but the return isn't worth the cost when we can make it ourselves. Simply not economical. True, while you're fabricating one part you can be working on another, but in the pits that could be a draw back.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by WaterClaw

I wish we could use a 3-D printer but the return isn't worth the cost when we can make it ourselves. Simply not economical. True, while you're fabricating one part you can be working on another, but in the pits that could be a draw back.

One of the things I intend to teach my students with the MakerBot we're getting through this AWESOME program (which, if people complain about just because money is finite, they need to re-evaluate their expectations of life) is the cost/benefit analysis of additive vs. traditional manufacturing. I intend to include materials costs, time, expertise needed, material optimization, and anything else I can think of in the analysis.

A good skill for students to develop in high school, methinks.

[rcoren22]

I have signed up through Donors.org for a Replicator.
I understand that Makerbot may not be funding any more teams, however did you have to do anything additional to be funded, or did they simply find your project?

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by rcoren22

I have signed up through Donors.org for a Replicator.
I understand that Makerbot may not be funding any more teams, however did you have to do anything additional to be funded, or did they simply find your project?

I didn't have to do anything but sign up, and they took care of the rest. I was informed today that the equipment is purchased and should be in our hands within the next three weeks.

While we're on the topic of 3D printers, does anyone know if MakerBot 1.75mm PLA critical, or can you buy 1.75mm PLA from other sources/companies that work as well/better? This is our first go-round with additive manufacturing, so I'm sure there's a lot of little details we'll have to learn.

[techhelpbb]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

I didn't have to do anything but sign up, and they took care of the rest. I was informed today that the equipment is purchased and should be in our hands within the next three weeks.

While we're on the topic of 3D printers, does anyone know if MakerBot 1.75mm PLA critical, or can you buy 1.75mm PLA from other sources/companies that work as well/better? This is our first go-round with additive manufacturing, so I'm sure there's a lot of little details we'll have to learn.

I can not stress this enough:
Until you are comfortable with a MakerBot printer do not extrude anything that MakerBot does not approve of.

Buy their filament or be prepared they might waive off your other material as the cause of whatever issue you might have.

On the plus side there are MakerBot stores that carry their filament if you are near to one you can just walk in an get it.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

I can not stress this enough:
Until you are comfortable with a MakerBot printer do not extrude anything that MakerBot does not approve of.

Buy their filament or be prepared they might waive off your other material as the cause of whatever issue you might have.

On the plus side there are MakerBot stores that carry their filament if you are near to one you can just walk in an get it.

I had heard something to that effect at one point--thanks for verifying!

(Me, near a store. That's *hilarious*! )

[avanboekel]

Looks like most projects are "almost home" now. Looks like they got more funding.

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by avanboekel

Looks like most projects are "almost home" now. Looks like they got more funding.

Looks that way...ours just got funded, down to $98.00 - then the remaining in about 10 minutes by friends of the team.

[geomapguy]

Yep ours got funded.

[MysterE]

We're just waiting for $96.00 more dollars.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by MysterE

We're just waiting for $96.00 more dollars.

seems there's only three makerbot projects in Louisiana.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by MysterE

We're just waiting for $96.00 more dollars.

My recommendation is to go fund the $96 NOW! If your project was posted in the last 7 days, you can donate half that, and use the code INSPIRE to match it.

The "Almost Home" funding is not gauranteed until your project is "Completed." You might miss out if you don't just go apply the $96.

[IndySam]

We just got ours fully funded!