Just sent off my extruder controller for repairs. UPS was extremely helpful. I cant wait to get back to printing. I am on my 3rd week of printing withdrawals!

Itsy Bitsy Spider Makes Huge Problems

So recently I have been have major issues with my Cupcake CNC. Power issues, then blown MOSFET's, fried SD cards, dead H-Bridges and serial communications. I have been troubleshooting with Makerbot's Operater group, and Makerbot themselves. I found out that I could get my extruder controller RMAed for the H-Bridges and blown MOSFET's. So, funny story right... Today I was taking off my extruder controller to send it in and well wouldn't ya know, there was a beautiful little spider web across some of the pins on my extruder controller. I guess spiders like 3D printing too!

Spider Webbing After Some Cleaning...

Blown MOSFET

NorCal RepRap/Makerbot User Group

Hey I just found a new Makerbot User group in NorCal!  They're called the RepRap/Makerbot Builders in Northern California. Here is a link to they're page check them out! http://www.meetup.com/norcal-reprap/

3D Printer Operator Badge for Makerfaire

With Makerfaire coming up I was thinking about how I will be able to recognize other 3D printer operators. Since we all don't usually go by our usernames I thought about how we could use our machines to recognize each other. So I created this nifty little 3D printer operator badge. So print one out and wear it to Makerfaire to show your pride for 3D printing. This is also a great conversation starter! Plus it is in the Makerfaire colors!! Wear one to Makerfaire if you 3D print!!!


Find it here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8558

MK6+ $1 Cartridge Heater Replacement

    Ok guys you HAVE to check this out! This is a brilliant Instructable by Instructables user max mulholland on how to build your own MK6+ cartridge heater for under $1! Look at how simple the parts list is:
Parts
hookup wire 
30-31gauge coated nicrome wire 
kapton tape 
solder preferably high temp 
1/4" OD copper tube 
furnace cement 
Tools 
file 
scissors 
tooth pick
lighter 

Check it out for yourself here!

Traveling With My Cupcake CNC!

All Packed Up

I used some bungee cords and old bike tire tubes to hold it in.... 

We're Here!

All Set Up!

YAY! Nothing Broke!

     So this weekend I'm traveling with my makerbot! And I have to say I am loving the hotel (mainly because the lamps in the rooms give the makerbot a beautiful look! I also love that the hotel theme is robots so Fabber (my bot) feels very welcome!

Check this out guys! Just set it up so I can post from my phone! I am going to use this to post about Makerfaire Bay Area live to you!

3d Printing Demo!

Hey guys check out my new 3d printing demo on youtube I print out a part for my Reprap Mendel. I has a cool time-lapse of the 26 min print. I printed the part in black 3mm ABS.

Open-Source Laser Cutters Anyone?

     I am so excited about the Lasersaur project it the world's first open-source laser cutter! Today they finally did it!!! They did their first cut and the lazzzzor works! I am now saving up for the Alpha Kit they will be releasing soon! I am also really pumped about the fact that the will be at the Bay Area Makerfaire! So if you are interested here is a link to their flickr page and website. Above is the video of the first cut!!

Makerbot Business Card Holder

     This is a Makerbot business card holder I just created and uploaded to Thingiverse. Font from dafont.com/designer-block.font. Desgined in Sketchup 8. I have included the sketchup files for those who would like to mod this. I have also put up a blank one if you would prefer not to have the logo or would like to put your own logo on. You can find it here. I think it would be pretty cool of these started popping up around Makerbot Industries!