New 3D Printer

[JKnightandKARR]

What does the nozzle look like?? If it's like the Neptune 2, those are really cheap. 

Edit: looked.  Do you just replace the whole hotend assembly to change nozzles??

Yeah, it looks like you replace the entire hotend. If that's all that I need, I found one for $35, with two-day delivery (less than $2 more than one which will be delivered in later Sept. ) If I need the entire assembly, then that raises it up to $85 (with tax, that is over the price of my printer, plus shipping, no estimate on shipping cost, nor do they even try to give a delivery date.) I also found an extruder assembly on Amazon, but that is $130, plus tax, and delivery is also the second half of September.

I'm going to quit for now. Maybe after an evening with my girl-friend (best friend/buddy/partner/lover/wife ) and a good night's sleep, things won't looks so bad.

I'll do some research too see if I can find other options, thats kinda stupid to me that you gotta replace part of the machine vs just a small nozzle.. Always good to walk away n break when stuff gets annoying.

[granz]

Well, I just went ahead and ordered that hotend (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WWCVCK7.) It should be here on Thursday; we shall see.

One thing that I have noticed about the Voxel is that the little arm, on the side of the printer, that holds the filament spool is almost useless. If the filament door is not on, any movement of the spool will cause it to fall off the holder arm. I need to design something that will hold the spool in place, even if the door is not on. Not a good design, but if I can get the printer working it should be easy to fix. 

[granz]

I've noticed a trend in tools for making 3D printing much easier for DIY users. For example, MakerWorld has this cool parametric box maker that I played with last week. Of course, I wanted to link it  and now I can't find it. 

Chris,

Can you give an overview of how you use "parametric" 3D designs, please? The only thing that I could find was to use OpenSCAD. I started the intro, but the scripting seems to have a rather steep learning curve, at least for anything more than a simple box-type dsign.

[Chris Savage]

Can you give an overview of how you use "parametric" 3D designs, please? The only thing that I could find was to use OpenSCAD. I started the intro, but the scripting seems to have a rather steep learning curve, at least for anything more than a simple box-type dsign.

I'm still learning (read: started over) on FreeCAD. Many videos for it, but you have to watch the dates, because there were a LOT of videos out when it was in Beta, and things have a changed a bit. Still, it's free and fairly easy to learn.

You don't have to do parametric modeling, but for things that scale or have complimentary parts, it helps to just assign the parametric data while you're developing the model. For example, if you have an enclosure and you changed a fillet on a corner, all the other fillets will change too. Saves you from having to manually redo each one.

Another way parametric modeling works is, say you scale the enclosure. The related sides scale automatically. So if you widen an end, both ends widen the same, if linked.

FreedCAD: Your own 3D parametric modeler

[granz]

Can you give an overview of how you use "parametric" 3D designs, please? The only thing that I could find was to use OpenSCAD. I started the intro, but the scripting seems to have a rather steep learning curve, at least for anything more than a simple box-type dsign.

I'm still learning (read: started over) on FreeCAD. Many videos for it, but you have to watch the dates, because there were a LOT of videos out when it was in Beta, and things have a changed a bit. Still, it's free and fairly easy to learn.

You don't have to do parametric modeling, but for things that scale or have complimentary parts, it helps to just assign the parametric data while you're developing the model. For example, if you have an enclosure and you changed a fillet on a corner, all the other fillets will change too. Saves you from having to manually redo each one.

Another way parametric modeling works is, say you scale the enclosure. The related sides scale automatically. So if you widen an end, both ends widen the same, if linked.

FreedCAD: Your own 3D parametric modeler

So, the parametric models with which you were playing were in FreeCAD? Do you still have any parametric models that I can play with to see how they work?

[Chris Savage]

So, the parametric models with which you were playing were in FreeCAD? Do you still have any parametric models that I can play with to see how they work?

Well, yes, I could send you a model using parametric designs parameters, but it would be in the FreeCAD format, as it has to be in the correct design mode for all that to work. Once exported to a printable model, the parametric features aren't integrated. You can to go back to the original design file, make changes and then export it again. I just wanted to be clear on that.

[granz]

So, the parametric models with which you were playing were in FreeCAD? Do you still have any parametric models that I can play with to see how they work?

Well, yes, I could send you a model using parametric designs parameters, but it would be in the FreeCAD format, as it has to be in the correct design mode for all that to work. Once exported to a printable model, the parametric features aren't integrated. You can to go back to the original design file, make changes and then export it again. I just wanted to be clear on that.

Okay, that makes sense. From what I've seen about FreeCAD, it looks like it will have an easier learning curve than OpenSCAD. I should really familiarize myself with some of FreeCAD stuff anyway. So, if you don't mind...

Thanks

[Chris Savage]

Okay, that makes sense. From what I've seen about FreeCAD, it looks like it will have an easier learning curve than OpenSCAD. I should really familiarize myself with some of FreeCAD stuff anyway. So, if you don't mind...Thanks

I don't mind...I have an enclosure that is set up with parametric modeling in FreeCAD. When I get home tonight, I will dig it out and email it to you. It will probably be late evening, since I have to make dinner tonight for us, since Valerie is getting out of work at 7P. Taco Thursday. 

[granz]

I don't mind...I have an enclosure that is set up with parametric modeling in FreeCAD. When I get home tonight, I will dig it out and email it to you. It will probably be late evening, since I have to make dinner tonight for us, since Valerie is getting out of work at 7P. Taco Thursday. 

Thank you.

[Chris Savage]

Thank you.

If you notice the time I am currently online, you will understand why I never sent you that file. We have plans tomorrow after work, so let me get that for you on Saturday?

[granz]

Thank you.

If you notice the time I am currently online, you will understand why I never sent you that file. We have plans tomorrow after work, so let me get that for you on Saturday?

No troubles - take all the time you need. I have plenty to do already.

[granz]

Now that the meetup is over, my next project has to be getting this (and/or my Neptune) printer up and running (after I get my main computer up and running.) I have too many things that need 3D printing, so a printer must be next.

Simultaneously, I will be putting stuff up for sale, to free up some space so that I can concentrate on projects that I want to do.

[Chris Savage]

Now that the meetup is over, my next project has to be getting this (and/or my Neptune) printer up and running (after I get my main computer up and running.) I have too many things that need 3D printing, so a printer must be next.

Good luck, granz!

[granz]

Now that the meetup is over, my next project has to be getting this (and/or my Neptune) printer up and running (after I get my main computer up and running.) I have too many things that need 3D printing, so a printer must be next.

Good luck, granz!

Thank you, but this week has been a total bust, so far. I still haven't gotten everything put back on my computer, and I have had terrible pain three out of five days this week. Plus we have had out of the house appointments for every day except for Monday - when we were too tired to do anything. Well, next week should be better - I hope.

[JKnightandKARR]

Now that the meetup is over, my next project has to be getting this (and/or my Neptune) printer up and running (after I get my main computer up and running.) I have too many things that need 3D printing, so a printer must be next.

Good luck, granz!

Thank you, but this week has been a total bust, so far. I still haven't gotten everything put back on my computer, and I have had terrible pain three out of five days this week. Plus we have had out of the house appointments for every day except for Monday - when we were too tired to do anything. Well, next week should be better - I hope.

Feel better. That's an ORDER!! lol  Good luck on your printer, I need to try mine again.