Wow, I’ve really slacked off on my hangout reports. This week we had three guests: Chelsea, Mack, and one other fellow who’s name I neglected to write down.

As we convened one of our 3D printing veterans, Brian, was just finishing up an incredibly cool model of Buzz Aldrin! This may be the biggest thing yet printed on our Prusa… over 6 hours at low-resolution! Inspirational to say the least. The designer (Brian’s friend) added a custom support structure platform that held Buzz upside-down while printing; the photos show it still attached.

I’m still getting used to our new home, a cozy little corner upstairs in the northeast corner of the co-working space. I’ve found it easiest to conduct the classroom portion of the training at one of the big meeting tables. For the live-demo segment, we all squish back into the corner, or sometimes I bring a printer out to the big table. I haven’t figured it all out yet, so please have patience while I adjust!

This week I demonstrated by printing a few parts Rachel commissioned for her electronic blinky stilt walker costumes. She needed a few small brackets to hold a fan and a power switch. These get sewn into the costume via the little mounting holes; you’ll have to ask her the rest of the details.

Chelsea has a few ideas for molding things in Silicone, but wasn’t sure how flexible the material would end up. So, we designed and printed a test mold of a small ‘staircase’ that exercises different thicknesses. We’ll have to encourage her to post the results!

Mack is a teacher, and had some cool devices his students use for momentum experiments. Parts like this can be difficult to model for 3D printing. Any support material would likely ruin the finish; but the curved shape can’t be printed without it.

We solved the problem by designing the spindle in three parts. The conical parts will be printed vertically, while the joining pin gets printed horizontally for strength. We didn’t get a chance to print this one; by then it was getting late out. This image shows the spindle only; the complete project includes a weighted disk in the middle, rather like a toy top with two points.

So that’s it for this time. Remember, we’re still doing the 3D printing hangout regularly, every other Monday. Check the calendar for exact dates, and come on by. You don’t have to be a member to attend. Experienced 3D print folks are especially encouraged to bring their cool items by for show-and-tell. We’d love to see what you can do!