[chbot] 3D printer of choice for 2020

[Geoff]

For linux CAD software:

 - solvespace. http://solvespace.com/index.pl A very simple parametric cad
modeller. Give this a shot if you've never worked with parametric stuff
before. Small binary + simple (though slightly unusual) interface. Can't do
some operations such as bevels/chamfers.
 - freecad.  https://www.freecadweb.org/ Another parametric modeller, much
more powerful than solvespace. Works well for individual parts, but doesn't
have a proper process for assemblies. Large community + tutorials
 - salome. https://www.salome-platform.org/ I had never heard of this until
a week or two ago. Very feature complete - better than freecad in my
opinion. Multi-part files, assemblies, FEA/FEM, the complete works. The
only thing I haven't managed to do yet is to export an STL..... If you're
using freecad and think it's the only linux parametric CAD, give salome a
try. Probably not beginner friendly as there aren't many tutorials for it.
 - blender. https://www.blender.org/ This isn't a parametric modeller, but
is a vertex/polygon modeller. It's up to you to make sure things are
dimensioned accurately and meshes are water-tight. As a plus it can also
generate pretty renders and animations of your models! Be prepared for an
"oh my goodness, buttons" when you first try it. Many many tutorials and
excellent community. But it's not really designed for mechanical design.


As for printers, I'm very happy with my snapmaker, but it's way to small.
The newer versions are bigger but are pretty expensive. If you want to give
laser cutting/CNC routing a go, they do that as well....
I have a friend with a creatily ender 3 which works very well (and is very
quiet when running) and is possibly within your size/price requirements.

G

On Wed, Feb 26, 2020 at 7:42 PM Michael Dawson <misterschmoo at gmail.com>
wrote:

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *I can recommend the Tevo Tarantula Pro $320 from aliexpress with no
> shipping https://tinyurl.com/sxjdowq <https://tinyurl.com/sxjdowq> This
> thing has been bulletproof, I did upgrade to a glass plate on the bed, but
> even before that it ran fine. I got a bed leveling sensor for $15 but still
> haven't got around to installing it as I haven't really had much trouble
> with levelling the bed with feeler gauges. It arrived pretty quickly, I
> think something like only 2 weeks. Prints to 235x235x250 and if you add the
> glass bed $30 you can print over the levelling screw locations. I bought a
> bunch of thermal silicone heatsink pads which I placed under the glass bed
> to allow heat transferrance to the glass and meant I didn't need to use
> alligator clips to hold the glass bed in place so I can print over the
> entire surface of the glass. Michael *
> On 26/02/2020 4:06 pm, Robin Gilks wrote:
>
> I've found myself browsing for a 3D printer again but a lot of the
> information on the 'net is spread over several years so its tricky to work
> out what is a good deal.*https://tinyurl.com/sxjdowq <https://tinyurl.com/sxjdowq>*
> I'm looking for an absolute minimum of 200x200x200 print size, I'd like a
> choice of materials (but I don't really know what the choices might be)
> and if in kit form then not requiring a 3D printer to make some of the
> parts (chicken & egg assembly).
>
> My budget lies firmly in the 3 figure range but I'd go to the upper limit
> of that for something decent that will last a while.
>
> I'll also be looking for Linux modeling s/w that doesn't require a PHD in
> topology.
>
> Cheers
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chchrobotics mailing list Chchrobotics at lists.ourshack.com
> https://lists.ourshack.com/mailman/listinfo/chchrobotics
> Mail Archives: http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/
> Meetings usually 3rd Monday each month. See http://kiwibots.org for
> venue, directions and dates.
> When replying, please edit your Subject line to reflect new subjects.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ourshack.com/pipermail/chchrobotics/attachments/20200226/a43e2f61/attachment-0001.html>