First there is Thingiview.js. This is a javascript 3D model viewer I wrote that parses STL and OBJ files and then uses Three.js to render them using either canvas or WebGL.  This grew out of the work I've done on CloudSCAD when I realized that there were really no good ways to view 3D models in a browser.  The only things that were available were either buggy, slow, or cost a lot of money, so I wrote my own.  Then MakerBot asked me to opensource it and help them integrate it into Thingiverse!  Now that Thingiview is pretty stable, hopefully I'll find some time to work on CloudSCAD again...

Another cool thing is that I got a job as a tech editor for a book about 3D printing called Printing in Plastic: Build Your Own 3D Printer.  It includes instructions on how to build a cool little RepStrap/mini CNC machine out of plywood called the whiteAnt.  The designs will be licensed under Creative Commons so I've also been publishing what I can on the RepRap wiki.  It's been a lot of fun since I've never done any woodworking before and I've been using a lot of tools I've never used before like table saws and band saws.  I also ended up finally acquiring an (ancient) drill press!

Since I had some success with 3D scanning at Berks CoLab using the MakerScanner, but was frustrated with the lack of support for OS X (not just MakerScanner, but almost all 3D scanning software like Grape3D I've tried has had problems on my MacBookPro), and splinescan is dead, I decided to start writing my own.  I call it Spinscan.  My goal is to be cross platform using Processing communicating with an Arduino that controls a turntable (3D printed) so I can do 360 degree scans.  I have most of the hardware done, but the software isn't done and so far I've only figured out how to track the laser line in a video.  I'd really like it to be sort of an open source version of the NextEngine scanner.

I'm also now the proud owner of Thing-o-Matic MakerBot #3745 (Tea Two) who has taken his place next to MakerBot #481 (Tea).  That means along with my RepRap Mendel (Earl) and the soon to be whiteAnt (Still unnamed, it's not really an evolutionary step up so I wouldn't call him Grey) I will soon have 4 personal fabricators in my basement!

I'm really happy with the Thing-O-Matic.  Particularly the new Stepstruder.  I've been familiar with the power of stepper driven extrusion for a while since I've been working on RepRaps, so it wasn't really a surprise that it was a major improvement over the old DC motors.  What was surprising to me was how well it worked almost immediately.  It took weeks or months of tinkering, butchered hobbed bolts, crooked gears, hacked together electronics, and skeinforge tweaking, for me to get my RepRap to print as well as the Thing-O-Matic printed immediately after I assembled it. (which was a lot easier than even the Cupcake assembly)

The stepstruder, along with the mechanical end stops, improved Z axis, and quieter operation really solves most of the things I felt that the MakerBot lacked compared to the RepRap.  I always told people that if you wanted the best quality prints to get a RepRap, but it takes a whole lot of work and to get a MakerBot if you want to get up and running easily.  Well now I can safely say with a Thing-O-Matic, you can have the best of both worlds.  The only thing the Thing-O-Matic needs now is to improve the automated build platform.  I've been having a number of problems getting large prints to work right, but it has been awesome to be able to spit out tons of small parts like the 30 pieces needed for this stick puzzle!

Although I don't post to this blog as often as I should, I do obsessively document a ton of stuff on my Flickr stream and on Twitter @tbuser all the time, so if you're interested be sure to subscribe to me there too!

Filed under  //   makerbot   reprap   spinscan   thingiview   whiteant