tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483471752664961069.post866335971349475019..comments2023-12-22T09:21:35.599-08:00Comments on RepRap Log Phase: RepRap, the Herd of Hyper Intelligent Cats Chugging 5 Hour EnergyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14841570845002675047noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483471752664961069.post-90334106362966918212012-03-25T21:58:14.841-07:002012-03-25T21:58:14.841-07:00One thing that has stopped me from progressing fur...One thing that has stopped me from progressing further isn't necessarily the main chassis type, but more the combination of electronics, steppers, and extruders.<br /><br />I would like to see a big cross reference list, have one for the electronics, that lists:<br />Cost (approx)<br />Number of motors supported<br />Chassis compatibility (Will I work on Mendel only, or generic?)<br />Interface options (USB, Serial, SD Card, Wireless)<br />Technical Ability required (Learner, intermediate, advanced tinkerer)<br />Speed<br />Resolution of parts<br />etc.<br /><br />Then do the same for extruder options.<br /><br />Give people an easy way to compare the different units that are available. Give them an easy path to make some of the initial choices, or at least give them a way to easily create a shortlist to better suit their needs.<br /><br />I know that I spent a long time looking at electronics, and at the end, I was pretty much stumped. I figure all of them are going to work somewhat for what I wanted, but it was hard to compare them all.<br /><br />I think that some kind of standardisation is a great idea, and some of the core idea of Brian Benchoff's article/rant is based on a good principle, however your response to it also does point out that there is ALREADY some standardisation inherent in the system.<br /><br />However, I don't think that there is a need for more rigid design guidelines, there is a strong need for more linking of designs, and a consolidation or linking between all of the documentation. The issue isn't necessarily that of too many designs, but that for entry into the Brotherhood of the Rep-Rap, choice can sometimes be a scary, scary thing for a newcomer!Andrew Hopperhttp://www.facebook.com/Chezstarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483471752664961069.post-37445872932313316282012-03-22T13:49:57.801-07:002012-03-22T13:49:57.801-07:00Great response Neil! One of the things discussed y...Great response Neil! One of the things discussed years ago with regard to the Arduino was the idea of the fork. There seem to be two camps: those that want dictates from high above of the one true standard or those that feel that the forked development is the way to innovation. If you look at Arduino and their ruling iron fist it has both worked for them in spades but also IMHO stifled creativity.<br /><br />The problem with the printrbot is not so much the lower barrier to entry its what happens to those beginners that get real frustrated when things don't work very well at all because of the extra corners cut to make a printer that cheap. Of course things haven't gone well for my students with the makergear prusa either. <br /><br />I've built and used, on my own and leading up to 15 college students as a group, 2 cupcakes, a makergear prusa, an eMaker huxley, and most recently a makergear mosaic. The Mosaic is a surprisingly fantastic printer although sure there are weird things about it. In 8 hours after opening the box I was pulling prints off it unlike anything I had seen before with those other machines and in a very short amount of time. Maybe the issue is not how a beginner gets started with Reprap because maybe there are better machines for that.Brian Evanshttp://hardwired.cc/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483471752664961069.post-9946922558522189462012-03-20T00:20:50.754-07:002012-03-20T00:20:50.754-07:00I think that a "Getting Started" video t...I think that a "Getting Started" video the wiki's homepage would be really helpful to beginners. <br /><br />I think that a RepRap competition would be healthy for the group. Have objective categories like "Fastest Print Speed" and "Fewest Components". Having bench marks would give beginners a clearer place to start.Zen Fernohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12790368758760860531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483471752664961069.post-38697215207988812992012-03-17T18:42:08.875-07:002012-03-17T18:42:08.875-07:00Agree but I have built both Printrbot, Mendelmax a...Agree but I have built both Printrbot, Mendelmax and Prusa. Printrbot is not that much easier than a Mendelmax and honeslty the ORD I think will be a much better 1st printer than most RepRap or RepStraps out there... can't wait to test that one out.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14841570845002675047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5483471752664961069.post-82232550318692079862012-03-17T18:07:03.431-07:002012-03-17T18:07:03.431-07:00I think to a large portion people will take care o...I think to a large portion people will take care of themselves.<br />Those who are capable enough to source and build a Mendel should be able to work out for themselves what they want.<br />Those who know they aren't ready for that challenge will gravitate toward the the Up and Replicator style devices.<br />There is however one place where I think some guidance is in order.<br />Looking round I see a lot of people who were lacking practical robotics experience, tried to build a Mendel, failed and gave up on 3d printing. And those failures reflect badly on the community, people who could have made a valuable contribution have instead become negative advertising.<br />This is where I see the value of something like the Printrbot kits. I think the complexity strikes a good balance. It's a simpler build than a Mendel, but it's still fully user assembled and that is important because if you didn't assemble it you are going to be less confident modifying it.<br />It's a repstrap for the mind. And after the mind is in the right place it can be upcycled into a Mendel.Tolomeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16384928311920896699noreply@blogger.com