Last December, I designed a candle with two parts. It was my contribution to a Printables contest. The bottom portion of the candle printed decently. The top portion was problematic. I reprinted it a few times and not any of the prints were good, but I put up the photos anyway. I tried printing the…
It is a good idea to do a little research before decidng which filaments to choose for printing models that will live outdoors. Did you know there are test results that filament manufacturers list on Technical Data sheets regarding resiliency? Two criterias to look for are Heat Deflection temperature (HDT) or Vicat softening temperature. Data…
A couple of months ago, I received an email from 3D Printlife about Dura nylon. After reading the description, I thought it might work for making a cushioned shoe sole and for the chair cushion, so I ordered a spool. I was hoping it would make a softer cushion, where covering the top with cotton…
As active owners of desktop 3d printers, we inevitably arrive at a point where we ask ourselves about pursuing a patent for something we have invented. Inventiveness is one of the intangibles emanating from frequent use of a desktop 3d printer. Inventions may be insignificant at the beginning; still, the potential for significant ones constantly…
Living Hinges aren’t just for CNC work, they can be 3d printed as well. Stereolithography files of models designed with hinges have popped up on various online printing communities. Recently, I entered Instructables’ Lamps and Lighting contest with a project called Hinge Shade Empty Filament Spool Lamp. It features hinge pattern one from another Instructables…
3DPrint.com published an article a few days ago concerning research on using PLA filament for objects in the “sterile surgical field.” I can barely contain my excitement! Last week, I printed a mask using Atomic’s Clear “No Yellow” PLA. In order to thermoform the nose portion to my face, I dipped that part in boiling…
A few weeks ago, I almost stopped 3D printing altogether. I was searching the internet, looking for information on how to make the canisters I designed watertight and stumbled upon an article about particulate matter emissions from desktop printers1. What I learned was that all filaments emit particulate matter. This explained the coughing I experienced occasionally…
