What I didn't know about 3D printing

There are so many darn options.

MakerBot is the go to, but perhaps not the best choice.  I visited several makerspaces with broken ones just lying around.  :(

Open source software is free, but you get what you pay for.  MakerGear 2 recommends Slic3r and Pronterface.  I didn't like them.  Not intuitive for a beginner like me.  Definitely not something I want to have students and staff jump into.  We're looking into purchasing Simplify3d.

Printing off of an SD card. 

Slicing. 

File types .stl, .obj, gcode

It's still incredible.

Polar3D was my first printer.  Cheap, easy as can be to set up, and awesome customer service.  Love that you can remote stop a job and watch it through the Polar Cloud.

MakerGear is my second printer.  Not so cheap, not so easy to set up, and the jury is still out on the support.  As far as I know, you cannot remote stop a job and there isn't a camera setup included.    The prints are gorgeous though!

Setting up shop!

We've been busy.  We are forming stations.  We purchased five Mac minis and hooked them up to each machine/device that required a computer.  We also bought a color printer for our space.  Here's what we have so far.

• sewing/knitting/crocheting
• cameo - vinyl/temporary tattoos/tshirt/paper cutting
• coding - raspberry pi/microbit/makey makey
• carvey
• button making
• padcaster
• 3d printing
• device charging
• robotics
• jewely - stamping, beading, clay
• crafts - paper, washi tape, duck tape, markers, cardboard
• circuits - LEDs, copper tape

We still have a ways to go, but we're getting there!

What I didn't know about the Carvey by Inventables

It's really really cool.  I knew it was cool but I didn't know how cool.

The project ideas are endless.

It's not as intimidating as you might think.

Carving is subtractive, 3D printing is additive.

CNC stands for - computer numerical control.

MDF stands for - Medium Density Fiberboard and can have formaldehyde in it!

You NEED a ShopVac.  We bought the Micro one which is super cute and cheap and easy to use.  However, it has a bag that needs emptied frequently and that gets old quick and the bags don't hold up real well, so you have to buy new ones.  We will probably upgrade our shop vac to a larger size with no bag.

Those bits will cut you up!  I had countless scratches/cuts on my knuckles.  Be careful.

It doesn't like to connect sometimes.  Green carve button means it's connected, but sometimes you click on that green baby and it stays at 0% for an eternity and nothing is carved.  Typical troubleshooting will help (try a new usb port, shutdown, restart, the software, the carvey, the computer) but we needed some new driver downloads.

Calling Inventables was the best!  They answered right away (based in Chicago so business hours there may be different for you) and got down to business.  They remoted in to my computer, assessed the problem, and fixed it immediately! Plus, they were super nice!

After each carve, the Easel software will ask you how it turned out.  If it didn't turn out, you can email Inventables.  I did not get any response to my many emails that I sent out.  Calling was key.

It can carve so many different materials!

The Forum is super active and helpful.  I posted the following question and had an awesome response within fifteen minutes!

Hello! I am a high school teacher trying to get the Carvey prepared for students and staff to use. What is the best material for starting out? Where can cheap materials be purchased? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Insulation foam from a home center is incredibly cheap, and useful for trying out toolpaths if nothing else. https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Insulation-Rigid-Insulation/N-5yc1vZbaxx

HDPE cutting boards can be affordable (or if one can get large sheets from a home center, e.g., https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/panel-products/specialty-panels/plastic/1-4-x-4-x-8-hdpe-panel/p-1444424094192-c-14048.htm ) or cutting boards from a restaurant supply store: http://www.therestaurantstore.com/

Some more links which may be helpful at: https://www.shapeoko.com/wiki/index.php/Vendors#U.S.

I'm sure there is a lot I still don't know about the Carvey but I'm so excited to find out!