🔧3D Printing Troubleshooting...
This print failure was challenging to identify but easy to solve once it was.
The printer would lay down perfect lines until at regular intervals it would under-extrude leaving little to no plastic where it should be printed.
At first it seemed like a software issue, but updating the firmware had no effect.
Instead, it turned out to be a crumbling plastic part of the extruder which rotates and feeds filament to the hot end.
While rotating, it would reach the section that was crumbling, applying insufficient pressure to feed enough filament for proper extrusion.
When it reached the intact part, extrusion resumed perfectly.
Together this produced the pattern as seen in the photo.
The Creality Ender 3 V2 printers on hand are popular with many after market parts available including all metal replacement extruders for the original plastic ones.
Once switched out to the all metal extruders, it was back to printing perfect again...
This print failure was challenging to identify but easy to solve once it was.
The printer would lay down perfect lines until at regular intervals it would under-extrude leaving little to no plastic where it should be printed.
At first it seemed like a software issue, but updating the firmware had no effect.
Instead, it turned out to be a crumbling plastic part of the extruder which rotates and feeds filament to the hot end.
While rotating, it would reach the section that was crumbling, applying insufficient pressure to feed enough filament for proper extrusion.
When it reached the intact part, extrusion resumed perfectly.
Together this produced the pattern as seen in the photo.
The Creality Ender 3 V2 printers on hand are popular with many after market parts available including all metal replacement extruders for the original plastic ones.
Once switched out to the all metal extruders, it was back to printing perfect again...
👍8🆒3👏1
⚙Applied 3D Design & Printing: Mini PC Cooling Platform
Mini PCs are great for media centers but because of their small form factor they have a hard time staying cool.
This cooling platform uses a 80x80mm PC fan spliced onto a USB connector powered by the mini PC itself.
The fan pulls air in from below and pushes the air out along the bottom of the mini PC significantly reducing its temperature.
We used free, online SketchUp to design the platform then printed it out over half the day on a Creality Ender 3v2 printer out of PETG filament.
3D design and printing allows you to solve unique problems in ways store-bought solutions can't.
Mini PCs are great for media centers but because of their small form factor they have a hard time staying cool.
This cooling platform uses a 80x80mm PC fan spliced onto a USB connector powered by the mini PC itself.
The fan pulls air in from below and pushes the air out along the bottom of the mini PC significantly reducing its temperature.
We used free, online SketchUp to design the platform then printed it out over half the day on a Creality Ender 3v2 printer out of PETG filament.
3D design and printing allows you to solve unique problems in ways store-bought solutions can't.
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🌱Hydroponics Rebuild
Years ago we built and ran for 1-2 years a home hydroponics system growing a good percentage of our vegetables with it.
We are rebuilding it, what you see in the image is what was left over, we'll need to get some additional supplies to set it up properly.
Hydroponics is the growth of plants without soil, using instead a nutrient solution to provide plant growth optimal resources. It saves soil, space, and water and can be done virtually anywhere.
As the project comes together we will do guides on how to set up your own...
Years ago we built and ran for 1-2 years a home hydroponics system growing a good percentage of our vegetables with it.
We are rebuilding it, what you see in the image is what was left over, we'll need to get some additional supplies to set it up properly.
Hydroponics is the growth of plants without soil, using instead a nutrient solution to provide plant growth optimal resources. It saves soil, space, and water and can be done virtually anywhere.
As the project comes together we will do guides on how to set up your own...
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🌱🔧 Applied 3D Printing: Custon Fan Covers
Many useful 3D printed projects are very subtle additions that you might not even notice.
This 12V 135mm computer fan is being repurposed for our hydroponics shelf, fan covers for this specific fan aren't easy to come by so we just designed and printed them.
Even if we could order them, the printed covers were in place in half a day, much faster than waiting for them to be delivered.
Localized personal manufacturing allows for a wider distribution of capabilities and the benefits they provide as well as cutting down on fuel and wear associated with logistics.
Many useful 3D printed projects are very subtle additions that you might not even notice.
This 12V 135mm computer fan is being repurposed for our hydroponics shelf, fan covers for this specific fan aren't easy to come by so we just designed and printed them.
Even if we could order them, the printed covers were in place in half a day, much faster than waiting for them to be delivered.
Localized personal manufacturing allows for a wider distribution of capabilities and the benefits they provide as well as cutting down on fuel and wear associated with logistics.
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🌱Hydroponics: Starting Small
Hydroponics is gowing plants without soil.
Instead of soil providing nutrients, A & B nutrient solutions (the 2 bottles pictured) are mixed together.
The proportions are changed to target vegetative growth and flowering at different stages of a plant's life.
It means providing the plant with exactly what it needs, including water, eliminating waste.
It is easier than ever with the cost of efficient grow lights, nutrient solutions, and other items necessary to grow using hydroponics - including videos and guides online.
Each set up requires tuning to make sure the lights aren't burning the plants, ventilation is sufficient to prevent mold or overheating.
Start small and work your way up and don't be put off from initial setbacks.
Follow Applied Technology Labs on Telegram here.
Hydroponics is gowing plants without soil.
Instead of soil providing nutrients, A & B nutrient solutions (the 2 bottles pictured) are mixed together.
The proportions are changed to target vegetative growth and flowering at different stages of a plant's life.
It means providing the plant with exactly what it needs, including water, eliminating waste.
It is easier than ever with the cost of efficient grow lights, nutrient solutions, and other items necessary to grow using hydroponics - including videos and guides online.
Each set up requires tuning to make sure the lights aren't burning the plants, ventilation is sufficient to prevent mold or overheating.
Start small and work your way up and don't be put off from initial setbacks.
Follow Applied Technology Labs on Telegram here.
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💡Applied 3D Printing: wall mounts...
A cheap Minecraft-style rechargeable torch toy with a fold-out mounting arrangement came with adhesive pegs to mount it anywhere you want;
But because we don't want it stuck on the walls and ripping off paint and possibly to move it to other locations, we 3D designed and printed a mount that works with PVC electrical conduits throughout the room;
We also mount things like smoke detectors and smart home control panels and sensors with similar 3D printed mounting systems which used bolts and can be moved anywhere there is conduit;
A cheap Minecraft-style rechargeable torch toy with a fold-out mounting arrangement came with adhesive pegs to mount it anywhere you want;
But because we don't want it stuck on the walls and ripping off paint and possibly to move it to other locations, we 3D designed and printed a mount that works with PVC electrical conduits throughout the room;
We also mount things like smoke detectors and smart home control panels and sensors with similar 3D printed mounting systems which used bolts and can be moved anywhere there is conduit;
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🌱Hydroponics update...
Because of extreme heat in the room we initially tried to grow in, sprouts weren't surviving.
By creating a small test grow box and placing it in a cooler room which uses air conditioning much of the time, this batch of test sprouts are turning into larger plants.
The next step will be to test whether or not once started, the plants can survive in the bigger grow area despite the heat of the room it's in.
Because of extreme heat in the room we initially tried to grow in, sprouts weren't surviving.
By creating a small test grow box and placing it in a cooler room which uses air conditioning much of the time, this batch of test sprouts are turning into larger plants.
The next step will be to test whether or not once started, the plants can survive in the bigger grow area despite the heat of the room it's in.
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🤖 Applied Artifical Intelligence: Generating Images for School Projects
▪️AI tools like Gemini include powerful image generation capabilities you can use to create covers for videos, concept designs for real-world projects but also images for school projects like coloring pages and worksheets, diagrams, and material for larger projects and presentations;
▪️This one involved different animal habitats (forest, desert, jungle, ocean, & arctic) with AI creating a consistent design in terms of size & style for both the background/ground and cut-out animals in the environment you couldn't get through traditional internet image searches;
▪️The final presentation's consistency would only have been possible previously if the animals and environments were custom drawn before AI tools became available;
▪️This is a simple example of how AI tools can be used for creating real world projects using a printer and common school materials;
▪️AI tools like Gemini include powerful image generation capabilities you can use to create covers for videos, concept designs for real-world projects but also images for school projects like coloring pages and worksheets, diagrams, and material for larger projects and presentations;
▪️This one involved different animal habitats (forest, desert, jungle, ocean, & arctic) with AI creating a consistent design in terms of size & style for both the background/ground and cut-out animals in the environment you couldn't get through traditional internet image searches;
▪️The final presentation's consistency would only have been possible previously if the animals and environments were custom drawn before AI tools became available;
▪️This is a simple example of how AI tools can be used for creating real world projects using a printer and common school materials;
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