Need volunteers (Mitch is too busy)

[CaryF300]

Sinterit SLS machine - We got a very nice and expensive selective laser sintering printer donated to the space but I nor others have had time to read and learn how to use it and set it up. I know it can produce really detailed models that don’t require support material and are made of nylon so it’s very strong. It’s a powder based consumable but I have no clue what it’ll cost to run and maintain the machine. We need someone to take charge and get it setup and teach classes on it.

I’m very interested in SLS, and am willing to take a whack at getting the printer running. I can help figure out the cost, and put together a training class for it.

[themitch22]

I very much appreciate it. It’s all on the rolling cart now, we might need more space for it since it comes with a powder removal box (looks like a sand blaster). we can only reuse half the powder and the optics have to be kept clean. Let me or @axeonos know what you need!

[themitch22]

Is it similar / identical to other readers we have used at DMS? Do you have a link to it?

I remember that particular Pi not having a display. Is that correct?

Is most / all of the code written in Python?

Which committee owns the hardware?

It’s the same generic USB RFID (acts like an HID keyboard) readers Stan has been using on his tablet in the common room. Like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/125kHz-USB-RFID-Contactless-Proximity-Sensor-Smart-ID-Card-Reader-EM4001-EM4100/121847477087?epid=514361477&hash=item1c5eacf35f:g:En0AAOSwHPlWevvm

It doesn’t have a display, there’s SSH and VLC for that IP.

3D fab specifically owns the hardware for that cabinet.

[CaryF300]

Will do. I’ll start working on it over the long weekend.

[CaryF300]

@themitch22, is the Sinterit Lisa the printer that was donated? If so, did we get the Sieve, too?

[mreynolds]

Filawinder got assembled tonight. The motor doesn’t want to work though, I ran some power through it (using bench power in electronics) and it still doesn’t move. Needs a more expert electrician to diagnose why it’s not working.

Also couldn’t get the motor going on the filastruder although I noticed loose wiring. I will take a better look soon.

[themitch22]

Yes the Sinterit Lisa and I think the seive comes with it. All the stuff should be there on the cart.

[themitch22]

@mreynolds you’re awesome! I’ll come to the space tomorrow probably and look at it if you’re able to stop by.

[Bill]

The RFID locking cabinet is wired up with a Pi with piface digital I/O sheild relays, car door actuator locks, and an RFID reader. I have tried to have several people work on the programming side of it but it hasn’t been finished. The programmers I’ve asked (there’s several working on RFID interlock stuff of their own) are also too busy to finish.

I can look at that.

I will probably be in Wednesday or Thursday.

[themitch22]

@benemorius has been working on it and said it’s working, we just need to make sure we have the AD groups set and I need a electromechanical failsafe which will probably be a jack I can manually pop the actuators open with that’s locked.

[Andrew_Timmons]

Sinterit SLS machine - We got a very nice and expensive selective laser sintering printer donated to the space but I nor others have had time to read and learn how to use it and set it up. I know it can produce really detailed models that don’t require support material and are made of nylon so it’s very strong. It’s a powder based consumable but I have no clue what it’ll cost to run and maintain the machine. We need someone to take charge and get it setup and teach classes on it.

I’d also like to take a wack at this machine. I think this is right up my alley. Where is the machine currently?

[Russell_Crow]

No sieve, no mixer; only Virgin Powder, cowabungha!

Maybe we can fab it or beg for funding…? Anyone got a Toledo dough mixer they don’t need?

[Russell_Crow]

Don’t forget, the book sez we need Aspirator Masks and Gloves, just to fill LISA with powder. Anybody have one ?

Luckily, they put it on a rolling cart so it can be moved to a safe area for servicing.

[themitch22]

I figured it would be messy so it could be moved to the workshop. You
probably want it leveled and not able to get bumped while printing.

[CaryF300]

Sinterit supplied gloves and masks, we don’t need to buy anything. There is a manual sieve for powder reclamation, but not the automated device that Sinterit sells.

The printer is set up on a base that @PearceDunlap welded up for us. Thanks, Pearce! You access the build area from the top of the printer, so it had to be set low.

We need an air line for the sand blaster for cleaning the prints.

I started to try a test print with a small TIE Fighter model that I’ve printed on a PolyPrinter. It has a lot of fine details that would be a good test of the SLS technology. However, the estimated time for the print (<2.5 cm model volume) was over 5 hours. That included 1 hour 14 minutes of warm-up time and 1 hour 43 minutes of cool-down time. I don’t have that much time to spend at the 'Space today, so I’ll have to run it later.

Another concern I have is that this printer is going to require A LOT of cleaning. The manufacturer recommends that the lenses and lase protective glass be cleaned after every third print. The laser protective glass has to be removed from the lid to be cleaned. Also there is an area below the build plate that has to be cleaned every third print as well.

The Sinterit Studio software is installed on the left computer, as you face the windows. Thanks @StanSimmons for assisting with that. The manual for the software

I haven’t given up, but I wanted to get my findings so far documented.

[themitch22]

Woah that’s awesome. I saw the machine setup on the stand. I am concerned
about the cleaning and that powder will end up everywhere. I think the
classes will have to go over cleaning so we can make sure people are doing
it. I know the Form 2, people have still got resin everywhere without even
noticing, so keeping it maintained is a concern.

I would like to have maybe someone running batches of prints since it takes
so long to print, that will minimize waste.

Thanks so much to Pearce and Stan for helping.

[Bill]

and I need a electromechanical failsafe which will probably be a jack I can manually pop the actuators open with that’s locked.

Is there a key cylinder lock on the door? You can make it close a switch when turned for your failsafe.

[themitch22]

I need to make sure I still have the key.

[nclindberg]

Thanks for all the hard work, let us know when there will be some classes I would love to be able to use this.

[denzuko]

Which Active Directory Groups

3D Printer From2
3D Printer Ninjaflex

Code base should be at https://github.com/Dallas-Makerspace/rfid-lock for 3d fab and https://github.com/Dallas-Makerspace/RFID-Interlock for the interlock.

I still remember a good deal of the original code most which was a python-daemon application that also integrated pyserial (for the usb rfid reader), argparse, and GPIO for the switch.

Kind of like https://gist.github.com/mattgorecki/6085344 but if we can track down the pastebin I gave Mitch then we’ll have the exact original code.