Reprap Resolution

I'm not sure if there is a clear distinction between quality and resolution. I consider them as two very different things. Quality as the adherence of layers and consistency of the print, i.e no bobbles or rough bits and i consider resolution as the layer height. 0.3mm layers for standard build and less for higher resolution.

Neil Underwood made an interesting post regarding layer height here: http://blog.reprap.org-layer-height-on-prusa-mendel

I have generally printed things as 0.3mm layer height and been happy with the prints produced.

Recently while perusing thingiverse i came across this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12278

Having ordered the 'official' one from Dimension a while back whilst doing a university project i thought it would be interesting to print one and see how it compares.

Three Twisted Bottles

 Left to right: Reprapped 0.15mm layers, Original / Official, Reprapped 0.1mm Layers.

Close up

You can see from the pictures that the resolution of the Reprap printed bottles is far superior to the Dimension model, which is nothing short of amazing. The layers of the Reprapped bottles are not visible by eye (or camera) in most light, the bottles feel smooth to the touch and the screw threaded cap works well.

Where it does fall short is the quality. Once the print had finished the bottle was left with bobbles and rough edges. These 'imperfections' mostly came free from the model with a little rub with the thumb which make me think that the problem is with my printer setup.

Overall this is very encouraging as at 0.1mm layer height the finish isn't perceivably far from an injection moulded part and i would expect that in the next 12 months the capability of these machines will improve so much that 0.1mm layers will become the 'norm'.

Well here's to hoping!!

Reprap - Lens Holder

Every photographer amateur or otherwise can relate to the pocket patting confusion that is caused when trying to find where you put the lens cap when you rushed to capture that 'in the moment' snap.

That's why I was delighted when i found this little gem on Thingiverse: Lens Cap

Lens Cap Mid-Print

The cap was sliced using Slic3r with 2 solid outer layers, 2 boundaries and 0.3mm layer height,
then printed at 30mm/s using PLA at 185ºC.

Printed Lens Cap

Lens Cap Installed

Im really pleased with the finished print as the printer still has many issues causing problems with quality, that said, the cap is well formed with no gaps or stringing and it is perfectly usable which should help with the fading memory. 

Reprap - Modified Filament Feed

I have been getting lesser quality prints recently for one reason or another, however, today I seem to have addressed the worst issue.

After replacing the hotend I found my hobbled bolt had lost some teeth. I purchased a newer style bolt, produced using the tap method rather than the cut thread method.

Bolt Made Using Tap Method

The new bolt didn't seem to be gripping too well and i was starting to think that the guide bearing couldnt apply enough pressure to the filament to properly engage the bolts teeth.

I stripped down the extruder to find that the retaining rod that holds the bearing in place seemed to be pressed up tight against the bearings of the bolt, no letting it engage fully.

Original Retaining Rod

After filing down the retaining rod and reassembling the wade extruder it seems to be working fantatically well and i am super chuffed (for now).

Filed Retaining Rod

I printed a new Large Wade Gear which came out much better than previous attempts. 

New Large Wade Gear 

RepRap - New ParCan V2 installed

The new parcan hotend is a great design, in that it is much easier to secure to a standard wade extuder.
In this case attachment is achieved by way of two M3 x 40 bolts through the extruder cold end.

I am still struggling with calibration of the reprap prusa build but this new hotend will remove the issues I had with the wobbly old one.

I have managed to print a new big wade gear which came out OK, still some work required with the extruded steps I think and maybe a new hobbled bolt design.

Photo Showing the M3 x 40 retaining bolts

Photo of the first print from the new ParCan hotend