Cubify Invent - New 3D Software for $49!

3D Systems has just announced a new 3D drawing application at just $49.  It's called Cubify invent.Cubify Invent Product Introduction ImageI haven't had an opportunity to work with it in any real depth.  But, from the little time that I have spent with it, Invent looks like a relatively easy and very capable 3D drawing package.While it steers clear of technical jargon,  like "BOOLEAN", it has a full compliment of boolean functions. ...

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Organizing Your Cube Cartridges

Only those that have had to deal with the mess of reels of filament can fully appreciate the luxury of having a cartridge fed 3D printer.It is the cartridge, more than any other feature, that makes the Cube suitable for living areas in homes and public areas in offices.  It take 3D printing from the world of the hobbyist and opens it up to the world of businesses and average consumers. One of the first things that I did with another consumer...

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Blind Hole Dimensions Test

In response to a previous blog entry, someone asked me to see if the dimensions of a blind hole are similar or the same to a standard hole.  A blind hole is simply a hole that does not go all the way through an object. I'm here to please... and, the results are in.Test MethodI created 3 objects with an outside diameter of 40mm and an inside diameter of 20mm.  One of the objects was exactly like the "washer" in the previous test. ...

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Matching Holes & Posts Test

Getting to know our Cube printer (or any 3D printer) is very important.  Discovering how it behaves in various situations will help us become more productive with less need for multiple re-design & print iterations, which saves filament.One of the most important things we can know is the relationship between the dimensions of printed posts vs. the dimensions of printed holes.  Matching posts and holes allows up to make parts of different...

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Testing Printer Edge Sizing Behavior

All extrusion 3D printers lay down a strand of molten plastic.  These strands are combined to build the 3D object.  The width of a strand is dependent on the width of the opening in the extrusion Hot End tip and the speed of both the extrusion and the travel of the hot end tip.While I have no idea what algorithms are used in determining the center of the tip during printing, we can create test objects that give us some idea as to how the...

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The Printed Celestial Circuits Rocket Pod

I have no idea what Celestial Circuits is going to officially call this part.  So, for now, I'll simply call it a rocket pod.  Here is an image of two iterations of the design.Celestial Circuits Rocket Circuit Board PodThe only difference is that the design on the right has rests for the ring so that it's even on both top and bottom.  You can see a small piece of circuit board in the part on the left.The legs that extend from the ring...

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The Cube, Celestial Circuits and a Wild Ride

There are more than one type of crazy people in the world.  There is the true crazy that can usually be found in just about every family.  And, then there are the "delightfully crazy" that are just plain WAY out there when it comes to life.  These are the truly creative people.Sooner or later you are going to come to understand that I not only like hanging around with those that fall into the delightfully crazy category... I LOVE to...

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Did I Already Say that I Love Magic Glue?

If so, then this is the SECOND time you will here it.Magic Glue comes with the Cube printer.  It is a bottle of some mysterious substance that you spread on the bed of the Cube before you print.  The bottle has a foam applicator that resembles that used with liquid shoe polish bottles.The "Magic" that it performs is that it keeps the printed piece in place as the piece is printing and then allows you to releases the piece by dipping the bed into water after the print is done.  It is water soluble proprietary glue.  And, I love...

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The Cube 3D Printer Travels Well!

One of the best things I like about my Cube printer is that it travels very, very well.  It's light; yet, rugged in a way most previous 3D printers are not.  It's a true party animal!The object that you see below was printed in a hotel room after the head had been clogged due to my impatience and cleared using the technique described in an earlier article.  Obviously, clogs are not fatal to the Cube as this video clearly demonstrates.The...

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Some DON'Ts With the Cube

All of the glowing reviews I have posted about the Cube 3D printer are true,  The quality of the prints has been remarkable.  But, that does NOT mean that I have not been able to bring it to its knees.And, by doing so, have made it less likely that you will end up doing so.Remember when I ran out of filament?  It happened when I was running it unattended.  And, the reason it happened is that I failed to read the warning that came...

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Maryland/Virginia Storm Slowing Testing

I now have filament.  And, was ready to do some more testing when the storm flew through our area and cut electrical supplies over a wide area.I have taken the photos of the "fire" vase rotating and need to edit them into a movie format.  But, I may not be able to post everything until early next we...

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