3D Printing

I started playing with 3D Printing around 2017 with a low-cost Monoprice Select Mini v2.  

When Covid hit, home 3D printers went into high demand, and I had just upgraded from the Mini to a Creality Ender 3 Pro.   I tried to learn a few different CAD modelling applications, but eventually settled on TinkerCad.  It seemed VERY rudimentary, but had surprising depth and more importantly, accuracy! 

Thingiverse was my gallery of choice.   Over those years, I learned a ton, and posted a few of my "inventions" on Thingiverse. Below are a few of the more successful designs from my gallery.

Running out of steam

The problem with MY relationship with the Ender Pro is that it doesn't like to be neglected.  After a few inactive months, the filament became brittle in the bowden tube and nozzle. Cold pulls and replacing parts didn't seem to get the prints back to their former glory.  The maintenance overshadowed the fun.  I haven't touched the Ender for years now.

It's been nearly eight years since acquiring the Monoprice, and I think I know what will jump-start my printing bug.   The technology has evolved, and the Bambu Labs line-up features technology that makes their printers much more reliable, and more versatile than my old Ender.  They feature "Direct Drives" rather than the problematic Bowden tubes.  Nozzle clearing is built right in to the firmware. Vastly imporved printing speeds can be achieved. Multicoloured filament feeders and conditioners are available to manage the materials.  By most accounts, the hobby is now focused on the PRINTS rather than the PRINTER.

I could sell, or give the Ender to a local school.  Bambu's line up is on sale at the moment.  This could get interesting!