767 lines
53 KiB
Markdown
Executable File
767 lines
53 KiB
Markdown
Executable File
I thought it would be good to keep a log of what's going on.
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Contributions encouraged. Note that many entries extend into the morning
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of the following day. Aug. 14, 2018 The box2 print on the Taz had
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finished but was about a mm short, presumably due to a likely z axis
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skipping problem. I later stopped someone else's print because filament
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had stopped extruding, then noticed that the new filament guide tube was
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missing & the reel, which had been changed (light green), was on
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backwards. I fixed the reel and the print worked (but looked sloppy). I
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found the missing tube on the previous reel (white), reinstalled it,
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and, after adjusting the printhead height, started another box2. I also
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redesigned the probe mount for the Taz (probemount2A.escad &
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probemount2B.escad (both at renderadmin/ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box)).
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Neither regular printer was working. Aug. 16 The box2 print failed due
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to the same intermittent connection failure that's been plaguing the
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printer. Had delayed monthly meeting. Julia worked extensively to fix
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the z axis skipping but the z axis now keeps getting badly out of level
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between the 2 sides so the Taz is unusable. On the other hand, after
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turning on the controller (it was off but I think it was on on Aug. 14),
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both regular printers are now working. Aug. 20 Julia located a good
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design for a replacement extruder for the Ultimaker. Julia worked on the
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Taz. It it now working but the z axis still seems to be skipping & the
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intermittent disconnect problem is probably still there. There is now a
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box for RODS. Caution: It is dangerously topheavy. Aug. 23 A box again
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printed successfully but was a mm short. Julia rebuilt the Taz. Started
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another box but the filament stopped feeding; shut printer off. I added
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documentation to the Wiki on the laser cutter but unfortunately broke
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the front panel (flimsy plastic); I was able to sort of fix it by adding
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washers. Sept. 1 Rewired laser cutter (details in Cheap Chinese Laser
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entry). The laser should now be ready for testing by an expert. Several
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people from Nova Labs visited. They said Nova Labs would probably help
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HacDC fix broken equipment (if we can get it there). Sept. 3 Tom showed
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up to test the laser cutter. Manual firing worked but safeties did not.
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Got computer control of mirrors working but computer did not fire laser.
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See Cheap Chinese Laser entry for details. Due to the Wiki being
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uneditable the log was not updated. To summarize some of what happened:
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Julia replaced the power supply for the 3D printer computer monitor
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which may have been causing the random printer disconnections. She found
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that one roll of filament was causing problems because it needed to be
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extruded at 230 C (no simple way to test this). She also added heat
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sinks on the Taz z axis controller & stepper motors which solved the
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skipping problem. The Wiki was cleaned up (causing the above-mentioned
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uneditability). A test piece (the "sphinx") for the new Ultimaker
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extruder was printed. Oct. 4 The basement was found open & the lock for
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the outer grate is missing; it was temporarily replaced with a
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combination lock (contact Julia if you need the combination). Oct. 5
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There was considerable chaos with Nick & people looking for him showing
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up at different times (finally resolved). The phone doesn't work. New
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parts for the Taz z axis are here. The science event list was finally
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updated (about time). Started printing a box4. Oct. 8 Phone is working.
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box4 & an Arduino cover printed well; started a box3. Finished design
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(still need to set values) for z-x rod joint for improved Taz z axis
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drive & the sphinx. Oct. 9 box3 printed well, started another. Only 4
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people (including a new member) at the monthly meeting; little to
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report. Finished design for general pulley mount. Oct. 11 box3 failed
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due to filament stripping. Successfully printed stenograph machine
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stand. Started printing test body for new Ultimaker extruder. Fixed Cura
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so it will work for Rostock; tabletop computers D8PGDD1, 1M0QJH1,
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5VVYKH1, & DJ7VKC1 now work. Determined that problem with some faulty
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tabletop computers was the USB drive and rewrote one drive. Created new
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HacDC hacks entry on Blabber to document fixes like how to change the
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cordless phone ring & fix Cura. Oct. 15 Extruder body print failed due
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to filament stripping but several other prints worked. The Algix
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filament was found to print well at an unusually low 180 C. Julia worked
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on the Rostock. Oct. 18 The Taz jammed & Julia cleared a clog from the
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printhead. The Algix filament did not print satisfactorily. A print with
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leftover filament worked but a new roll of filament had problems with
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stripping. A member swapped a nonworking (regular) Kodak printer for a
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working (after a little work) Epson one. A visitor tried to use the CNC
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mill (note that the parallel cable connects to the upper connector on
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the computer) but the y axis would not move. Oct. 19 The filament on the
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Taz may require a higher temperature; testcube printed fine at 225 C.
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The boxes have been recompiled for the Rostock (box1t32Rf.gcode etc. in
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/ImplicitCAD/Radioshack_box on renderadmin) and the zero-thickness
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problem eliminated. Tried to print a box3 at 225 but the filament
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started feeding erratically and the printhead now seems completely
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jammed like before. Oct. 22 Julia worked on both the Taz & Rostock.
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Additional cleaning of the feed gear and shifting the printhead down
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seems to have fixed the Taz problem (which may be the result of a tiny
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fan starting to fail); also the current filament should be printed at
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229 C. The Rostock works but the fan may need to be turned off (set fan
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speed to 0) or down and there seems to be a loose connection (causing
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the temperatures to read def). Started printing (Taz) test body for new
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Ultimaker extruder. Oct. 23 HacDC has 2 new voltmeters (labeled HacDC 1
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& 2). Extruder body test print successful. Attempt to print a box4 on
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Taz failed, possibly since it started at 215 C. Cleaned feed gear &
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successfully started a box3 at 229 C. After a false start printed a box1
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on Rostock. Rostock printhead will not go above ~210 C and will drop
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when fan comes on, possibly crashing the print (def problem mentioned
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above). Immediately set fan speed to 0 when it comes on (typically when
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the first layer is completed). Started a box2 on Rostock. Oct. 25 Both
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boxes printed successfully. The Rostock temperature will plummet & crash
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the print if the fan is at 30%; at 25% the temperature doesn't seem to
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go over around 218. After a false start part of a kayak holder started
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printing OK on the Taz. Another object was successfully printed on the
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Rostock but an attempt to print another box resulted in everything going
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wrong - the printer behaved erratically, the printhead scraped the tape
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but then was in the air after being adjusted, the outer tube came off
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the extruder, & the short outer tube piece with a burnt end in the
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printhead clogged at the unburnt end. Oct. 29 Kayak holder part printed
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successfully. Nick dropped off 2 computers. Julia fixed the Rostock and
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found that the CNC mill was clogged & needed cleaning. Found that
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ImplicitCAD seems to get stuck on a certain rotate. The Taz printed
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another (small) object and started printing another copy of the sphinx
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(first copy is missing) while the Rostock started printing a box1. Oct.
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30 Sphinx & box1 both successful. Started a box3 on both printers - the
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Rostock is printing wobbly. Put big metal case under table by SEM with
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computers inside (but wiring should be adjusted). Killed 2 flying bugs
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over the last 2 days (hopefully that's all of them). Nov. 1 Both boxes
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printed. The distortion (about warp factor 3) with the Rostock was from
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a loose printhead - fixed. A couple first-timers visited. Julia reflowed
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the graphics chip from an iMac G5 after a replacement for the badly
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burned-out halogen bulb for the soldering system was found in the
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basement but didn't have time to complete the repair. Some small items
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were printed on the Taz. Started printing another box3 on the Rostock &
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a test of the redesigned sphinx for the new Ultimaker extruder on the
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Taz. Nov. 5 The sphinx printed but the box3 stopped partway thru; both
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printers seem to have disconnected (the Taz after finishing), possibly
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due to a power fluctuation. The iMac repair worked (amazing) after a
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couple damaged connectors were fixed. Another small Taz print worked
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along with a test piece for the improved Taz z axis and a box4 was
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started on the Taz & a box2 on the Rostock. Tom got a new laser printer
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working (HP_Laserjet_Professional_P1606dn, can print double sided). An
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inkjet printer was successfully disassembled without ruining the
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controller. The inner door to the basement was open & the light was on
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but the outer door was still padlocked (opened from inside?). Nov. 7
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Both boxes printed but there was still some distortion from the Rostock.
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Started printing another Taz z axis test piece & a box4. Nov. 8 Both
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prints worked. Small prints were done on both printers. A modified z
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axis test piece was printed on the Taz and the next version started. The
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Rostock again had a problem with not moving, not as bad as last time but
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it still seems to have caused the printhead to clog. Nov. 11 Test piece
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printed. Air conditioner was on - why? Printed an improved test piece -
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very close to final form. Started a box3 Nov. 12 Box3 printed. Printed a
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revised test piece. Julia unclogged the Rostock & found that the
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printhead heaters had weakened greatly (replacements ordered). The
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partially disassembled printer from Nov. 5 was apparently ruined. The
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problem with the intermittent failure of the Rostock to move may have
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been due to loose belts which have been tightened. The Rostock fan power
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supply was left unplugged to avoid having to turn the fan off (why
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didn't we think of this foolproof solution before?). The Rostock clogged
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repeatedly but finally worked (the third time's the charm). Another
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version of the Taz test piece was printed and seems perfect. The Rostock
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print crashed again - apparently the power supply is for another fan
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connection that isn't being used (so much for foolproof). (That power
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supply is actually for a fan on the extruder & was later plugged back
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in.) The belt tightening & unclogging procedures for the Rostock have
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been documented. Started box3s on both printers. The missing bathroom
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key turned up on the floor by the Taz. Nov. 13 Both boxes printed.
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Monthly meeting canceled - too few showed up. One visitor who was
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interested in repairing an old radio. Taz y-axis motor mount designed
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(but most parameters need to be added). Started a box2 on Rostock & box4
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on Taz. Nov. 15 Both boxes printed but the box2 was a bit short because
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the Rostock ran out of filament. Two new people visited. Assigned values
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so a trial version of the Taz motor mount is ready to print. Printed a
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production version of the Taz z axis joint (but a minor change should be
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made and the position of the rod hole may also need to be changed).
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Printed half of a coupler for the new Taz z axis rod & started the other
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half. Nov. 19 Coupling printed. Small items printed. Installed coupling
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on testbed Taz; satisfactory. Measured rod position & adjusted z axis
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joint design accordingly. Designed improved generic coupling, printed
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test piece, adjusted design, & printed production version. Started
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printing new version of joint. Nov. 23 Z axis joint printed & it was
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installed on the testbed Taz & measured; some adjustments were made to
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the design and, after printing another coupling half, the revised joint
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was printed. It was just right so started printing another. Nov. 26
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Joint printed (the filament broke leaving less than a foot left when the
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print finished, a clear violation of Murphy's Law). Julia dropped off
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filament for the Taz & Rostock, and parts. Printed 2 coupling halves
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(Taz, leaving about a foot of unused filament on one reel) & test motor
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mount for 2nd Taz (Rostock). Started another joint (Taz) & endpiece for
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2nd Taz (Rostock). Nov. 29 Joint & endpiece printed. One hole in
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redesigned coupling turned out to be too big & at least one motor rod is
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notched; redesigned coupling accordingly and printed notched version.
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Found that ImplicitCAD would not compile some rotates because it ran out
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of RAM. Belt was installed on one side of the optical table. Started
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redesigning printer endpiece & motor mount as single stronger piece. The
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Rostock jammed extremely badly. A couple small items printed on the Taz.
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Started printing unnotched half of coupler. Dec. 1 Coupler printed.
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Installed revised coupler on 2nd side of testbed Taz. Coupler seems fine
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but rod was off by about .5 mm so joint does not seem to be exactly same
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on both sides. Printed another coupler half & started a 2nd. Dec. 3
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Coupler printed. Julia worked her magic & got both the Rostock & CNC
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mill working including replacing the failing heaters in the Rostock
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printhead (so the fan should no longer be turned off). Printed 3 more
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coupler halves. Started a box 2 on Rostock & box4 on Taz. Dec. 6 Boxes
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printed. Was able to move new z axis on testbed Taz. Julia brought in 4
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laptop video cameras but was unable to get any of them to work yet. Test
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print of body for new Ultimaker extruder brought in. Installed new z
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axis parts on Taz; rods were off by ~1.7 mm vs. ~.5 on the testbed Taz.
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New z axis works but printer needs to be adjusted - DO NOT USE the Taz.
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Started a box4 on Rostock. Dec. 10 Box printed. Started a box1 but it
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failed because one of the arms came loose at the top - fixed. One of the
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upgraded rods on the Taz wobbled badly which turned out to be due to an
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old part that was known to be warped. Shimming it with washers mostly
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eliminated the wobble. Taz has been recalibrated and is ready for use
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(so the z axis upgrade project has been successfully completed!). The
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"supercomputer" originally built to compile a huge fluidics chip was
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brought back in operation. Preliminary design of the motor mount
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endpiece for the Taz is complete. One of the laptop cameras was found to
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be incompatible with the current version of Linux altho a driver existed
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for it. Started printing box1s on both the Rostock & Taz but the Rostock
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stopped dead & the 3D printer computer will not respond (screen stays
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black) altho the Taz is still printing away normally. Dec. 11 Box1
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printed but had a small shift part way up. 3D computer worked after
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restarting & reconnecting USB cable. Started a box4 on Rostock and a
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test piece for the new Taz motor mount end on the Taz. Found that Cura
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works for the Rostock on computers 1LDNKH1 & 7KDNKH1. Dec. 13 Test
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endpiece & box4 both printed. Corrected flaws in endpiece and, after a
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series of infuriating false starts, and discovering that excess belt on
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the Taz bed was snagging the main part of the belt and folding it so it
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snagged itself instead, started printing the revised endpiece & the
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other (pulley) endpiece. Dec. 17 Both parts printed. Designed & printed
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test piece for pulley mount for 2nd Taz. Modified endpieces & started to
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reprint both. Dec. 18 Both parts printed. Some parameters were corrected
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but there are unresolved problems: The pulley sticks out of the side of
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the pulley mount which will prevent it from fitting into the endpiece,
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the new belt is only about 12 mm below the top of the endpiece but the
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bottom of the pulley mount side is about 12 mm below the top of the
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endpiece, & the notch for the belt at the motor mount is too narrow and
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cannot be made much wider without reaching the bolt slots. Monthly
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meeting was fairly well attended. HacDC's rent will be going up
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significantly posing a serious problem. There was also a significant
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cost resolving the legal issue with Nancy. Small item printed on Taz.
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Started printing latest test version of pulley end & mount for Taz. Dec.
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20 Objects printed. Pulley endpiece redesigned which should solve all
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the problems. A visitor wanted help developing a sleep aid light.
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Started printing latest test endpiece. Dec. 24 Endpiece printed. Broke
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testbed Taz endpiece pulley mount trying to remove pulley for
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examination but was able to remove pulley, make necessary measurements,
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and complete design of the pulley mount. Printed test pieces for 2
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different versions & started a box3. Dec. 27 box3 printed (with hardly
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any leftover filament, another violation of Murphy's Law). Julia brought
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more filament (1 reel for Taz (seems to work at 215 C) & 2 for Rostock)
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& a high-resolution still camera (entrusted to Bobby). She installed the
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test pieces in the testbed Taz with satisfactory results; adjustments
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were made to endpiece designs. Piece holding belt to bed needs to be
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replaced. Small drone camera mount printed. Printed production version
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of pulley mount for testbed Taz and started motor endpiece and (to use
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up remaining filament) a box1 on Rostock. Dec. 30 Objects printed, but
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motor endpiece had lifted off bed; Julia had started another that
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printed with a shift and some possible separation. Small item printed.
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Started the production version of the pulley endpiece and a hopeful
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replacement for the belt-bed joint. Dec. 31 Endpiece printed but it &
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joint were backwards (WARNING: Bobby is terrible at thinking in 3
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dimensions) altho basic idea of new joint was found to work. Another
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test joint was printed and design further adjusted. Heater installed in
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testbed Taz. Rather chaotic time with Julia's going-away party
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simultaneous with trying to get major work done. Adjusted level of
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Rostock bed with significant improvement (but need to document
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procedure). Started printing corrected pulley endpiece & box2. Jan. 2,
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2019 Objects printed but endpiece lifted off bed; will hopefully still
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be usable. Added Rostock bed leveling to instructions. Printed another
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test joint. Replaced right bed leveling bolts on Taz with slightly
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longer ones to make adjusting easier. Started printing another version
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of the joint & a box4. Jan. 3 Objects printed. Test joint seems fine;
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belt attachment method seems to work very well. Several items printed
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but multiple object print failed because Taz ran out of filament -
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always check & it is best to print one object at a time; it should be
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faster & if something goes wrong you won't end up with multiple failed
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prints. Tom replaced the keyboard on a visitor's laptop. Jan. 5
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Installed motor endpiece, pulley endpiece, pulley mount, & belt-bed
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joint in testbed Taz. Appears satisfactory; made a few minor adjustments
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to designs. Jan. 6 Julia took the Taz. Jan. 7 Tom did an amazing job to
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get the testbed (now only) Taz working under manual control (but it
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needs to be calibrated as well as set up for computer control). Some
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Ultimaker extruder parts printed but another print stopped dead - the
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dreaded disconnect problem. Jan. 8 At the monthly meeting the entire
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contents of the basement were declared outgoing so a major clearing out
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can be done, possibly at the end of March. If you want anything in the
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basement mark it or otherwise make it known. (The miter saw, one fire
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extinguisher, & a clip-on light socket are on loan from Bobby.) Jan. 10
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Several visitors. One wanted to print rubber with the Mini but it
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wouldn't connect. A print on the Rostock failed because the design was
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too thin. Kevin got the Mini to connect but didn't get it unclogged &
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was unable to get the replacement Taz to respond. Installed setscrew in
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Taz endstop. Some sorting done. Jan. 17 A visitor tried to do a test
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print on the Rostock but it didn't work, probably due to a software
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problem since the old testcube printed fine. Kevin got the replacement
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Taz to move and discovered that it is version 1 rather than version 2 &
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a bunch of documentation for it. Jan. 18 After some problems getting the
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TV screen to work (documentation needed), movie night (The Martian) was
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successful altho turnout was rather low. Hot melt glued USB drives to
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several tabletop computers & some sorting was done. Jan. 21 It is now
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possible to routinely connect to the replacement Taz & give it commands.
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Attempts to read the current values of the parameters (which should be
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done before the firmware is updated) have been unsuccessful. Documented
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inductive sensor for Taz autoleveling in 3Ddoc.txt. Jan. 28 Two people
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successfully printed a bunch of small objects on the Rostock. Feb. 4
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Several objects were successfully printed on the Rostock & Mini. Design
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for Taz belt-bed joint was adjusted to recover 10 mm of y capacity. Feb.
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7 A bunch of rubber objects were printed on the Mini. Feb. 11 There was
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a moderate leak in the basement. The source is unknown; the leak had
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probably stopped when it was found. Object printed successfully. Feb. 14
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Kevin was able to read & modify the firmware for the Taz. End cap for
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new reel holder for the Mini was printed & the holder started. Feb. 15
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Print failed; the intermittent printer disconnect problem recurred (the
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print separated from the bed as well). Trying long prints is not
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recommended until this problem can be corrected. Movie night OK. The
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space behind the basement wall is not unexcavated dirt but a concrete
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tunnel. HacDC may be able to use this for storage. Feb. 18 Object
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printed. Kevin was able to change the calibration of the Taz z-axis but
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the results were inconsistent. Started printing (after unclogging
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Rostock extruder; 160 seems to be too cool when removing the old
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filament, try 180) improved version of the new reel holder for the Mini.
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Feb. 19 Reel holder printed, was installed on Mini, & is almost perfect!
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Fairly busy monthly meeting. Gasket printed on Mini but needs redesign.
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Feb. 21 HacDC has disposed of the CRISPR refrigerator. Feb. 22 The door
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to the basement was open (but the grate was locked). Temporary access
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has been cleared to the corner behind the SEM. Several power cords that
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didn't go to anything were removed, significantly reducing the snakepit
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coefficient. Necessary measurements were marked and the remaining 3
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reinforcing boards (remember those) for the shelves were cut. Bobby's
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miter saw & clip-on light (bulb left on shelf) have been removed (only
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thing of his left is the fire extinguisher). Boards for shelves by door
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are OK (still need to be installed) but board for corner behind SEM was
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cut wrong (too long) & will have to be recut. Feb. 23 The basement was
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cleared out. Much (maybe too much) of the contents were left outside the
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church by the trash bins. The (2nd) replacement air conditioner was
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installed. HacDC proved helpful to the Positive Force music show held
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that day. An attempt to install the recut reinforcing board failed
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because the existing shelf board was warped and the large C clamp could
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not be found; the reinforcing board was also badly bowed. Another
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(long-lost) copy of the board showed up that was straight; it was marked
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and will be used instead. Feb. 25 Small object printed after the first
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attempt failed when the filament broke & the 2nd attempt failed when the
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filament tangled on the reel. One small reinforcing board was installed
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on the shelf above the door. Feb. 28 Kevin tried to get the Ultimaker to
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work but failed; the feed tube apparently needs to extend further into
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the extruder. Some stuff was cleared out of the space. The last 2
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reinforcing boards for the shelving were installed (a little painting
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remains to be done). March 4 After over 3 years, the shelves are finally
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finished. The floor was vacuumed while the corner behind the SEM was
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accessible. Other than possible sealing around the new air conditioner
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all work in the corner has apparently been completed. Several visitors
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came by. March 7 Sealing done around new air conditioner; table & SEM
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moved back. Many new visitors. Knobs printed on new Monoprice printer.
|
|
March 11 Object printed on new printer. March 12 Sparsely attended
|
|
monthly meeting. Some largely cosmetic rearranging of the wiring over
|
|
the sink was done but the internet no longer worked. March 14 It turned
|
|
out that the power strip right above the sink had gotten turned off;
|
|
flipping the switch restored the internet. Two people brought pies (Pi
|
|
Day). Drone flew around the space. Extensive rearranging of the wiring
|
|
was done; this time the phone & internet both worked afterwards. The
|
|
power strip directly over the sink is no longer required for the
|
|
internet (the long power strip one shelf up definitely is; leave it on)
|
|
preventing a recurrence of the previous problem. March 15 Almost all
|
|
items remaining in the back part of the basement were moved to the front
|
|
except a large whiteboard, the CNC mill, & the contents of the CNC mill
|
|
supply shelf. Movie night: Gravity. More wiring was sorted out & network
|
|
connections mapped. It was found that the TP-Link Switch is connected to
|
|
a 12V supply instead of the correct 9V; this should be corrected. March
|
|
18 Objects printed on Monoprice after adjusting printhead height & on
|
|
Mini with some delamination. Preliminary network wiring diagram
|
|
prepared. TP-Link Switch power supply replaced with correct 9V supply;
|
|
internet & phone both worked afterwards. March 21 - With
|
|
light-to-moderate rain, there was a puddle a couple feet wide over the
|
|
drain outside the basement, indicating that this was the probable source
|
|
of the leak. Mike will try to snake the drain. Object printed on
|
|
Monoprice. Remainder of HacDC network wiring was traced and labeled;
|
|
numerous cables & power supplies that didn't go anywhere were removed
|
|
(and temporarily piled up under the electronic workbench). Renderadmin
|
|
computer was crashed in the process but Kevin was able to restart it
|
|
successfully. March 25 Network wiring diagram (upstairs; the basement is
|
|
completely separate) completed (& it fails a sanity check). Power
|
|
supplies drawer organized; supplies now have color-coded twist ties (AC
|
|
is black, solid color is voltage (i.e., white=9V), white with bands is
|
|
thick band-narrow band with thin ring if a decimal (i.e., wide brown,
|
|
gap (invisible narrow white)-green ring is 19.5V). Object printed on
|
|
Mini after printhead was unclogged. 3D printer computer replaced
|
|
(everything seems to work) & test print on Mini worked. March 28 Object
|
|
printed on Monoprice. Rostock successfully tested with new 3D printer
|
|
computer. Note: To send gcode files to the new 3D printer computer use
|
|
scp filetoprint.gcode hacdc@pronterhost.hacdc.org:/home/hacdc with
|
|
standard (not 3D printer computer) password. Use Ctrl-Alt-F# to select a
|
|
terminal instead of Alt-F#. Pronsole is still pronsole (previous
|
|
statement was wrong). Use load /home/hacdc/filetoprint.gcode to load
|
|
file once sent. Octoprint is now running providing a completely
|
|
different way to use the printers. Documentation will have to be
|
|
prepared & existing instructions redone. April 1 Rostock print worked.
|
|
New 3D printer computer has been switched to Ubuntu Linux. April 4
|
|
Objects printed on Rostock. Preliminary instructions for printing with
|
|
new 3D printer computer written (on blabber). April 9 Average turnout
|
|
for the monthly meeting. A likely rat was spotted scurrying under the
|
|
radio equipment. April 11 Objects printed on Rostock altho there was a
|
|
problem with an incorrect dimension but it then jammed. It was unjammed
|
|
(if a piece of filament gets jammed in the feed tube unscrew BOTH ends &
|
|
use the thick wire feed tube snake (standing up on the outlet box behind
|
|
& to right of Rostock) to force the piece out (CAREFULLY use pliers to
|
|
force the snake into the tube if necessary)) and successfully reprinted
|
|
object. A visitor got a flex sensor to work with a microcontroller.
|
|
April 15 Preliminary revised instructions for printing on the Rostock
|
|
(with pronsole) completed (at
|
|
/ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box/ins3DRostockpronsole.txt on renderadmin
|
|
computer). April 25 Rostock jammed with filament apparently melted to
|
|
feed tube connector. Bobby gave up; James resorted to cutting off the
|
|
connector (which can't be done much more without shortening the tube too
|
|
much) and got the Rostock extruding again. However, 2 attempts to print
|
|
both failed when the NOZ: def problem recurred (with a thermistor
|
|
disconnect error message on the computer). April 29 It was found that
|
|
the USB connector on the Monoprice 3D printer had broken. It may still
|
|
be possible to use the Monoprice with an SD card but not otherwise. A
|
|
visitor worked on a product he is developing for motorized skateboards.
|
|
Small object printed on Ultimaker. 4 prototype "DNA" pieces printed on
|
|
Rostock. May 2 4 small "puzzle pieces" representing the 4 nucleotides of
|
|
DNA have been designed. Besides making a fairly good schematic
|
|
representation of DNA, they are good test & example objects that only
|
|
take roughly 5 minutes each to print. They are available in the
|
|
ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box directory on the renderadmin computer as
|
|
dnaa.stl, dnac.stl, dnag.stl, & dnat.stl as well as compiled for the
|
|
Rostock as dnaaRf.gcode etc. A visitor worked on getting flex sensors
|
|
for a glove to work with a microcontroller. May 5 Moderately sized
|
|
object printed on Rostock. Numerous DNA "puzzle pieces" printed to
|
|
perfect design. DNA & RNA (rnaa.stl, rnac.stl, rnag.stl, rnau.stl, &
|
|
compiled Rostock versions (rnaaRf.gcode etc.)) versions are complete.
|
|
May 9 Instructions for printing on the Rostock with the new 3D printer
|
|
computer using pronsole (the old way) are in the Rostock (yellow) folder
|
|
with the 3D printer instructions (full & quick versions; also available
|
|
in the ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box directory on the renderadmin computer
|
|
as ins3DRostockpronsole.txt & ins3DRostockpronsolequick.txt). After
|
|
repeated attempts, the Mini successfully printed a small object. The
|
|
failure of attempts to print a large object on the Rostock was found to
|
|
be due to the gcode setting the bed temperature to 60 C after the first
|
|
layer had printed, crashing the program since the Rostock doesn't have a
|
|
working bed heater; changing the gcode solved that problem. May 14 The
|
|
monthly meeting was mainly about getting ready for the Dupont
|
|
Underground event May 16. The instructions for using the Mini (&
|
|
Rostock) with pronsole have been updated (ins3DMinipronsole.txt &
|
|
ins3DMinipronsolequick.txt in the ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box directory
|
|
on the renderadmin computer). An introduction to the DNA & RNA "puzzle
|
|
pieces" has been written (dna.txt also in ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box).
|
|
May 20 Some more DNA & RNA pieces were printed and the introduction
|
|
rewritten. Pieces bent, were very difficult to remove brim from, & did
|
|
not fit together properly. May 21 Scheduled planning meeting never
|
|
happened; only 1 person showed up. More pieces printed satisfactorily;
|
|
problem was largely due to removing pieces before they had cooled (which
|
|
seems to take much longer when room is warmer). Instructions for using
|
|
Rostock & Mini with pronsole revised again. May 23 Print on Rostock
|
|
stopped. Several more DNA pieces printed (works much better without
|
|
brim) but will be redesigned. Large print on Ultimaker failed due to
|
|
separation from the bed. Instructions for Rostock & Mini corrected. June
|
|
3 The clogged connector on the Rostock feed tube was drilled out (use a
|
|
5/64" bit in a hand drill) but a swollen piece of filament remained in
|
|
the tube & one of the connectors came off when it was pulled out.
|
|
Putting the connector back on didn't work. The feed tube was replaced
|
|
but the short tube in the printhead was also clogged. Drilling with a
|
|
1/16" bit made it possible to remove the tube & further drilling (with
|
|
both bits) managed to clear it. The Rostock successfully printed a test
|
|
cube. The z-axis switch on the Taz was tested & it works. June 6 A
|
|
visitor worked on a stenography machine computer mount. DNA piece
|
|
redesigned but did not print properly; the support (both with Everywhere
|
|
& Touching buildplate) did not print. June 10 It was realized that the
|
|
extrusion rate of the Rostock had not been fully adjusted to compensate
|
|
for the fudge factor; it needs to be divided by the square of the fudge
|
|
factor rather than just the fudge factor. The new value is
|
|
Steps/MM:680.4 (not precise). The DNA piece design was further modified
|
|
but the support still would not print even with the angle for support
|
|
set to 0. The Monoprice board needs to be replaced. The Taz z-axis
|
|
problem still seems intractable. June 11 Routine monthly meeting except
|
|
HacDC website was updated. Test prints on the Rostock also failed to
|
|
print support with thin or short overhangs. It was found that reducing
|
|
the Shell thickness in Cura solved the problem for thin overhangs but
|
|
not for short overhangs. Large bread slicer part printed on Ultimaker;
|
|
partially detached from bed but may still be usable. Rostock maintenance
|
|
instructions (ins3DRostockmaint.txt) updated including instructions for
|
|
trying to clear filament clogs. June 13 Loose connector on Taz fixed
|
|
which seemed to solve the z-axis endstop problem. With considerable
|
|
fudging (Cura gcode wouldn't work properly) the Taz was made to print a
|
|
test object. Z-axis well calibrated; x & y still need adjusting. Rest of
|
|
Rostock instructions redone (but still need instructions for printing
|
|
with new method & new instructions for new 3D printer computer). Another
|
|
part for bread slicer printed (separated again but usable) & yet another
|
|
started but the extruder failed. The missing support appeared when the
|
|
size of the DNA piece was doubled. June 17 Taz printed good cube.
|
|
Ultimaker fixed & large print started. Rostock clogged again but a group
|
|
effort got it going again (maybe HacDC will be able to keep things going
|
|
without Julia). Final (hopefully) design of DNA piece printed (A) & 2nd
|
|
piece (T) designed & printed (both double size). June 20 Several guests;
|
|
one started learning to solder, another how to 3D print. Another bread
|
|
slicer part printed on Ultimaker. All 8 DNA & RNA pieces now in final
|
|
form but problem of support not printing is unresolved; must be printed
|
|
double sized (dnaa2Rf.stl, dnac2Rf.stl, dnag2Rf.stl, dnat2Rf.stl,
|
|
rnaa2Rf.stl, rnac2Rf.stl, rnag2Rf.stl, & rnauRf2.stl prefudged for the
|
|
Rostock) to avoid that problem; several were printed. Paper tray for
|
|
copier stopped fitting; problem identified and fixed (fix still needs to
|
|
be documented). June 24 Object printed on Rostock. Visitor wanted to use
|
|
a laser cutter. DNA & RNA pieces redesigned again & finally completed;
|
|
added some modified RNA bases (T (same T as in DNA, found in tRNAs) &
|
|
pseudouridine (psu; downright weird, found in many RNAs); most were
|
|
printed (still double size). June 27 Object printed on Rostock. Test
|
|
object printed on Ultimaker and firmware updated. DNA piece programs
|
|
cleaned up, modified base I added, & numerous pieces printed. DNA piece
|
|
documentation (dna.txt in ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box directory on
|
|
renderadmin computer) updated; double size versions ready for general
|
|
use. Documentation on adjusting the Brother printer paper tray added
|
|
(disregard 1st try) to HacDC hacks on blabber. July 1 Light had been
|
|
left on in entryway. 3 guests showed up. Some of the DNA pieces were
|
|
resigned yet again; problem of support not printing was eventually
|
|
solved by including support in the object itself but even then the
|
|
support did not print if it was .5 mm or less thick; .6 printed.
|
|
Numerous pieces printed. Standard size C,G, & T for DNA and C,G,U,T, &
|
|
pseudoU for RNA now ready to use. July 6 Because of poor print quality
|
|
of small objects on the Rostock an effort was made to optimize the
|
|
settings (dnatRf.stl makes an excellent test object). The temperature
|
|
was reduced from 215 C to 205, 200, or 195, the shell thickness reduced
|
|
from 1 mm to .5 (with the Fill Density increased to 90), or the filament
|
|
feed rate reduced from 680.4 Steps/MM to 646.4. 205 C seems best for the
|
|
current filament with no change to anything else. DNA pieces finally
|
|
finished (but still have to convert some of the .escad files to .stl
|
|
files). Numerous pieces printed. Added ddC, a drug used against HIV also
|
|
used to sequence DNA. Updated "instruction manual" for the pieces
|
|
(dna.txt in /ImplicitCADS/radioshack_box directory on Renderadmin
|
|
computer along with the .escad & .stl files). July 8 Several (paper)
|
|
printers were fiddled with. DNA pieces further revised & finally (famous
|
|
last words) finished altho not all of the .escad files have been
|
|
compiled into .stl files (so there may be a few typos). See (revised)
|
|
dna.txt for details. July 9 Several visitors toured the basement.
|
|
Monthly meeting well attended, uneventful, except for noting that HacDC
|
|
will use up its cash reserves in 5 months at the current rate. DNA piece
|
|
designs compiled (1Rfs (standard with support for Rostock), 2Rf (double
|
|
size for Rostock), 1s (standard with support), & 2 (double size) .stl
|
|
files) & errors corrected; many pieces printed. July 11 Outer door was
|
|
open & door to roof was ajar but cover was on opening to roof (earlier
|
|
in the week someone had been working on the roof). Monoprice printer
|
|
connector fixed but there is another problem. Plans made for prototype
|
|
3D printing course. One final DNA (actually RNA) piece added (Cm),
|
|
programs cleaned up, & dna.txt updated (see for details; gcode files can
|
|
be used to determine best printing temperature for Rostock filament);
|
|
numerous pieces printed & complete set given to HacDC. July 15 Yet
|
|
another RNA piece (m1I) added, dna.txt documentation finalized, &
|
|
numerous pieces printed. Project completed (at last!). Trial 3D printing
|
|
class held successfully (but test print failed at last minute when
|
|
printer was mistakenly unplugged). Science event list finally updated.
|
|
July 18 Taz printed a slightly-out-of-calibration cube. Repeated
|
|
attempts to print RNA pieces revealed that there is an intermittent
|
|
(which is why the Taz sometimes didn't respond at all) & the z axis has
|
|
a skip (not sure which side). When the Taz worked the flat part of the
|
|
pieces was really good but the vertical part looked like a tumor (worse
|
|
at 215 C temperature but still terrible at 200 & 195). It might need
|
|
better filament, another fan, or something else (what it really needs
|
|
is, of course, Julia). July 22 It was determined that the Taz moves well
|
|
at standard speed when commanded by gcode but moves roughly when told to
|
|
move at a lower speed either by gcode or with the move command.
|
|
Instructions for 3D printer computer updated (about time). July 25
|
|
Attempt to print on the Ultimaker failed because of an apparent bug in
|
|
the slicer. Test prints on Rostock showed that changing the size of the
|
|
print area had no effect on the miscalibration problem. July 29 A
|
|
visitor had a long discussion about getting started (i.e., electronics).
|
|
Tom returned. Aug. 1 The Ultimaker was printing too stringy. Adjusting
|
|
the settings helped. Aug. 8 Large object started on Ultimaker. A visitor
|
|
was given an extensive introduction to 3D printing. Aug. 15 Another
|
|
large object started on Ultimaker (previous successful). Aug. 23 Movie
|
|
night (The Right Stuff) sparsely attended. First piece of preliminary
|
|
documentation on ATmega328P microcontroller written (Micro1.txt in
|
|
renderadmin/ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box directory). Aug. 26
|
|
Microcontroller documentation partially rewritten as micro1.txt.
|
|
Possible rodent spotted in space (too briefly to positively identify).
|
|
Aug. 28 Microcontroller documentation additionally rewritten as
|
|
micro2.txt. Aug. 29 Tristan left a bunch of stuff to be retrieved
|
|
Monday. micro2.txt rewritten. Event list mostly updated. Sept. 2
|
|
hacdc-openwrt did not work (HacDC Channel 1 did). micro2.txt rewritten
|
|
yet again. Sept. 5 micro1.txt & micro2.txt rewritten again.
|
|
Modifications made to 3D printer computer; Rostock now will not move
|
|
horizontally. Window above left air conditioner was found to be open at
|
|
top & closed - should be checked regularly. Sept. 9 Minor changes made
|
|
to micro1.txt & micro2.txt. Rostock now moves in all directions but
|
|
didn't print properly; height may be off. Can't connect to Mini. No
|
|
change with Taz. Synthesizer worked on. Sept. 10 Monthly meeting was
|
|
well attended but uneventful, several new members. Major effort launched
|
|
to move files from obscure ImplicitCAD/radioshack_box directory on
|
|
renderadmin to wiki; see wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/Categories Sept. 19
|
|
micro1.txt & micro2.txt heavily rewritten. Had visitor from Dublin,
|
|
Ireland & another who was looking for a laser cutter. Sept. 28 The
|
|
renderadmin computer would not connect. micro1.txt & micro2.txt heavily
|
|
rewritten yet again; now available at
|
|
wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/Documentation-ATmega_microcontroller Sept. 30
|
|
Attempt to fix Rostock ruined printhead nozzle. Unable to fix
|
|
renderadmin computer. Large amount of documentation added to wiki - 3D
|
|
printing, CAD, equipment (see wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/Categories). Oct.
|
|
3 Renderadmin computer fixed. Started tracing laser cutter power supply
|
|
circuitry to compare with extra power supply previously traced. Oct.4
|
|
Found apparently leaky diode in laser cutter power supply & disconnected
|
|
(not needed; for on board TEST button). Still have to finish
|
|
reassembling, but laser cutter may be fixed! Oct. 7 Further testing
|
|
confirmed that D15 in the power supply was leaky, which would be
|
|
expected to cause precisely the firing-when-it-shouldn't problem that
|
|
had been observed. This is basic Electronics 101 stuff that should have
|
|
been found a year ago, demonstrating that (1) As claimed, Bobby is
|
|
suffering from a severe case of overload-induced incompetence and (2)
|
|
There is a severe lack of electronics know-how in HacDC since someone
|
|
else should also have found this. Traced out circuit board for power
|
|
supply in laser (designated PS1); it is almost identical to the extra
|
|
power supply (PS0) in the cabinet. Kevin started working on the software
|
|
for controlling the laser cutter but it wouldn't compile. The power
|
|
supply was reassembled & temporary spacers installed so the controller
|
|
resting on the power supply no longer blocks the power supply fan.
|
|
Testing showed that the enable (P) signal now correctly controls the
|
|
laser so the safeties work; however, no cutting was observed, probably
|
|
because the optics are totally misaligned, dirty, or fried. Instructions
|
|
for operating the laser cutter were written and posted on the wiki
|
|
(wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/Documentation-Laser_cutter-K40). Someone
|
|
brought in some no-longer-usable amazon dash units. Caught a quick
|
|
glimpse of a critter scurrying under the amateur radio equipment -
|
|
again, DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OUT! Oct. 8 Further testing revealed that
|
|
mirror 2 (forward-to-right) is totally misaligned so the beam completely
|
|
misses mirror 3 (right-to-down). The laser definitely works; it set
|
|
paper towels on fire (oops!). James aligned mirror 2. Instructions for
|
|
how to adjust the stationary mirrors added to wiki. Oct. 10 Tom got the
|
|
laser cutter computer running but was unable to control the laser
|
|
cutter. Oct. 14 Nothing newsworthy. Got 74ACT323 IC to work. Oct. 17
|
|
Roof was open (someone from the church had been working up there); after
|
|
it was reported to Mike a guard finally closed it. Only 2 people showed
|
|
up & little happened. Oct. 21 Work done on synthesizer. Couldn't find
|
|
basement keys. Oct. 24 Only 2 people again. There are now fairly
|
|
well-located & clearly labeled kill switches for all the 3D printers,
|
|
electronics workbench, laser cutter, & microwave. Oct. 25 Moderate
|
|
turnout for Movie Night (Hackers). Config file for laser cutter read
|
|
from Smoothieboard SD card. Config file sends laser fire PWM to pin 2.4.
|
|
Laser cutter had nothing connected to pin 2.4. Fire pin on ACR board was
|
|
connected to adjacent pin 2.6. Connector moved. That should fix the old
|
|
problem of the computer not being able to fire the laser. Now all that
|
|
is needed is to figure out why the computer can't control the laser at
|
|
all. Oct. 28 Unable to fix Monoprice 3D printer. Tom got computer
|
|
control of the laser cutter movement working and a mechanical problem
|
|
went away after moving the laser by hand but the computer still couldn't
|
|
fire the laser (even after fixing a possible problem with the
|
|
Smoothieboard config file not inverting the signal). Despite problems
|
|
with multiple meters being dead, the problem was traced to the ACR board
|
|
(signal in, no signal out). An attempt was made to connect the fire
|
|
signal directly to the laser power supply but the Smoothieboard SD card
|
|
failed. Oct. 31 Only 3 people total. A visitor needed to replace the
|
|
driver board on their 3D printer. Nov. 4 Had 2 visitors, one from
|
|
India/Japan. Nov. 18 Only 4 people. Regular printer (Brother) wouldn't
|
|
print altho it made copies. Nov. 21 No regular open house because of
|
|
HacDC Happy Hour event. Minimal people around. A new SD card has been
|
|
obtained for the lacer cutter Smoothieboard. Printer still not working.
|
|
Nov. 25 New SD card installed in laser cutter but no further progress
|
|
made in getting laser to fire correctly. Nov. 28 Started tracing
|
|
circuitry on laser cutter ACR board. Dec. 2 Had several visitors
|
|
including one from England. There was a small puddle in the middle of
|
|
the basement; watch for leaks. Dec. 5 Small turnout. A couple visitors.
|
|
Traced more on ACR board. Dec. 9 More work done on visitor's laptop.
|
|
Something shorted & damaged a component; computer still seemed to work
|
|
but there may be a problem with the screen. Mini didn't work; probably
|
|
clogged again. Continued tracing circuitry on laser cutter ACR board but
|
|
some traces on PC board are too obscured to follow. Dec. 10 Meeting not
|
|
held because of low turnout. Traced more on ACR board (but tracing fire
|
|
command seems doubtful because of obscured traces). Dec. 12 Visitors
|
|
helped work on laser cutter. Smoothieboard does not appear to be
|
|
producing fire signal; perhaps board failed when SD card did. Documented
|
|
(wiki.hacdc.org/index.php?title=Documentation-Laser_cutter-K40) how to
|
|
directly control Smoothieboard from tabletop computer. Unconfirmed
|
|
report that James died! Dec. 16 Started documenting tabletop computers
|
|
(wiki.hacdc.org/index.php?title=Documentation-Tabletop_computers). Dec.
|
|
23 Tabletop computers 1LDNKH1, 1M0QJH1, 5VVYKH1, 7KDNKH1, & DJ7VKC1 all
|
|
now have cura, emacs, meshlab, & minicom installed (the others that were
|
|
on the tabletop computer cart (7Y5MPD1 & CPV3HF1) are not usable because
|
|
they are missing the USB drive with the OS). A file named installed.txt
|
|
has been added with an incomplete list of the software installed on each
|
|
computer (which should be updated whenever more software is installed).
|
|
Dec. 26 Attempt to use Monoprice via HacDC network failed. Renderadmin
|
|
computer would not connect. Dec. 30 It was determined that the problem
|
|
with the renderadmin connection was outside of HacDC. (It is possible to
|
|
connect by using ssh renderadmin@jobs.local instead.) Jan. 2, 2020
|
|
Monoprice works from front panel with SD card (leave in printer) but
|
|
format may not work with all systems. Gcode files can be transfered to
|
|
the SD card using USB adapter attached to front of printer. Mini
|
|
partially (extruder gear but not hot end) unjammed. Documentation added
|
|
for computer network & Mini printhead disassembly (partial). Jan. 6
|
|
HacDC now has a replacement for the Rostock printhead nozzle but needs a
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different mounting piece. The calendar on the HacDC website no longer
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works. Jan. 9 Larger than usual turnout, including a couple old members
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who worked on 3D printers. The Ultimaker is now working & an apparently
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intermittent short in the Taz z endstop was fixed (at least for now).
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Jan. 12 New USB drive prepared for one of the tabletop computers that
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was missing one. Tom left a miter saw he was working on in the storage
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bathroom and used the machine shop. Jan. 16 More work done on miter saw.
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Attempt to update tabletop computer failed because of inability to
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respond to warning message about GRUB; amazingly, the computer still
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|
worked after being shut off. There was a small leak in the basement.
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Jan. 20 Mini unclogged, printed objects. No leak in basement. Jan. 21
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Good turnout for monthly meeting including HARC guys. Several new
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members joined. Little overall change in finances. Major discussion on
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planning for future. Considerable support for getting rid of SEM.
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|
Decided to do a much needed inventory (planned start Jan. 28). Jan. 23
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Wiki limited due to maintenance. Jan. 27 Wiki largely fixed. Decided to
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schedule electronics lab sessions (see HacDC website) on Mondays. Jan.
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28 The inventory turned into a cleanout of the space (not basement) with
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lots of stuff going into outgoing instead of figuring out what HacDC
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|
had. The SEM console was largely disassembled. Jan. 30 Visitor worked on
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|
laser cutter. Feb. 3 Visitor worked on laser cutter & got computer
|
|
control to move the mirrors again. Monoprice working well using microSD
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|
card (SD card adaptor on front). Carbon monoxide meter showed 0 but
|
|
carbon dioxide meter showed high levels that at one point exceeded 1000
|
|
ppm which can cause impairment. Feb. 6 Further work on the laser cutter
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|
again seemed to show the fire signal going into the ACR board but not
|
|
coming out. Attempting to bypass the ACR board by connecting the
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|
Smoothieboard output directly to the fire position on the power supply
|
|
was partially successful - the computer could fire the laser but the
|
|
safeties did not work properly. The laser would not fire if the
|
|
controller door safety switch was open but once the laser was firing
|
|
opening the safety switch did not halt firing (except twice) altho the
|
|
switch did halt firing in manual mode and switching from auto to manual
|
|
halted firing which did not resume when switched back to auto until the
|
|
safety switch was closed. This behavior seemed impossible but later
|
|
examination of the circuit revealed feedback that can explain how, but
|
|
not why, it happens. Tom dismantled old hard drives. Feb. 7 More hard
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|
drives disassembled. Feb. 10 Turnout poor for electronics introduction.
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|
The laser cutter no longer kept firing when the safety switch was opened
|
|
(no idea why). However, it did fire on low when commanded to fire at a
|
|
power level of 0. A glow was noticed around the final mirror which was
|
|
found to have cracked apart and was replaced. Laser cutter rewired so
|
|
that the Beam Current knob will now control the current in auto as well
|
|
as manual mode (which will make debugging safer and provide a convenient
|
|
way to test a program if it is ever fixed). Feb. 11 Fairly good turnout
|
|
for monthly meeting. HacDC has been offered exhibit space at the USASEF
|
|
& is looking for ideas on what to show. The laser cutter Smoothieboard
|
|
PWM fire output became highly distorted when it was connected to the
|
|
power supply fire input. The Smoothieboard output did not seem to be
|
|
open drain as it was configured to be; switching to a different pin
|
|
(from 2.4 to 2.5) gave open drain but had no effect on the distortion.
|
|
There also seems to be a loose contact in the safety switches that
|
|
occasionally prevents the laser from firing. Feb. 13 Only Kevin & Bobby.
|
|
Kevin found that the printer computer would not boot up. Feb. 15
|
|
Moderate turnout for Capture the Flag. Preliminary inventory of space
|
|
(not basement) done. Feb. 17 Laser cutter seems to act differently each
|
|
time; minimal progress. New extruder installed on Rostock but not yet
|
|
working. Radon detector put in basement (but wasn't reset - will have to
|
|
start over). Metal saw loaned to HacDC & put in basement. Space
|
|
rearranged (mainly VR stuff moved to other side). Tabletop computers
|
|
DJ7VKC1, 1LDNKH1, & 7Y5MPD1 updated and update procedure documented
|
|
(wiki.hacdc.org/index.php/Documentation-Tabletop_computers). Feb. 20
|
|
Masonry blade for new saw brought in. Radon detector showed low one-day
|
|
Rn level, reset for long-term reading. Temporary terminal strip
|
|
installed in laser cutter to aid debugging but some connections are
|
|
inconveniently short. Further testing indicated Smoothieboard output is
|
|
not open drain which could be the cause of incorrect firing. Work done
|
|
on getting supercomputer running. All working tabletop computers updated
|
|
(5VVYKH1 doesn't work, most likely because an update was halted halfway
|
|
thru at 3:30AM Tuesday morning) & new file update.txt created giving the
|
|
date of the most recent update & any files that were not updated because
|
|
they had been modified. Discovered a few cases where programs that had
|
|
definitely been installed (listed in installed.txt) were no longer
|
|
present. Feb. 24 Hardly any turnout for electronics course. Laser cutter
|
|
seemed to work at one point after adding a diode in series with the fire
|
|
line to raise the voltage from .3 & 3.3 V to 1 & 4 V. After cleaning up
|
|
the control wiring snakepit it again seemed to work (but the safety
|
|
switch under the control panel doesn't work reliably). Feb. 27 Ultimaker
|
|
not working. March 2 Signal lights for safety switches on laser cutter
|
|
added. Computer control of laser cutter worked fine from 3D printer
|
|
computer but tabletop computers were unable to control laser cutter.
|
|
Laser cutter cut extremely poorly; power was coming out of second mirror
|
|
but was barely getting to cutting surface indicating a problem with the
|
|
final mirror. Mar. 5 Additional cleaning of the final mirror & lens
|
|
fixed the poor cutting by the laser cutter. There is still a problem of
|
|
cutting being significantly weaker to the left. Mar. 6 Letting the laser
|
|
cutter run longer revealed that it was not moving correctly, probably
|
|
because the software control was totally improvised. Mar. 9 Small
|
|
turnout for electronics course. Work done on Rostock. There seems to be
|
|
a problem with the temperature sensing. The square glass bed broke
|
|
(there were plenty of replacements). Mar. 10 Annual meeting with board
|
|
election (as a slate). Some rearranging done; switches are now in one of
|
|
the Radio Shack drawers divided into push (lots), toggle (lots), slide
|
|
(1), rotary (0), & key (2) and LEDs are in a bin above the electronics
|
|
workbench. Mar. 12 Church closed for all sizable events; HacDC events
|
|
canceled thru at least March 29 - expect few updates. Mike reported that
|
|
an antenna on the roof seemed to be leaning precariously. Inner door to
|
|
space wasn't shut. |