3D-Printed Objects

[olePigeon]

Make Magazine does a yearly round-up and review of 3D printers:

http://makezine.com/comparison/3dprinters/

Thanks for the link.  Just wanted to say that my work ended up buying 2 Prusia 3D printers to replace the Makerbot 2 that never worked from day one.  We're selling our Makerbot to a company that buys refurbished Makerbot 1 and 2s.  We hope to get them by this summer.  They're on crazy backorder.

 

[macosten]

...I've been wanting someone to print a Programmer's Switch for the SE and/or SE/30 for a while now, but even through my (admittedly short-ish) searches, I couldn't find one...

I *could* attempt to make one in Blender, but I don't have a reference piece and I don't have a 3D printer here at college (well, the MakerSpace has one, but I don't think I should burn all of my free prints on failed attempts )

Anyone willing to try making one?

 

[Westinghouse]

If I had one, I might.

My SE/30 came without one.

 

[avadondragon]

...I've been wanting someone to print a Programmer's Switch for the SE and/or SE/30 for a while now, but even through my (admittedly short-ish) searches, I couldn't find one...

As far as I have been able to tell there isn't one available in the wild.  I modeled one a year or two ago and printed a couple.  I lost my original files though.  The fact that someone is specifically asking for it might be motivation to go looking.  I think I emailed the STL file to someone maybe I can find that at least if not my cad files.

 

[macosten]

:O !

I would love that. Please report your findings/work back here!

 

[Themk]

Same! I want a programmers and reset switch panel for my SE and SE/30

 

[avadondragon]

I found the files!

For strength it must be printed vertically with supports.  I tried many times to print it face down without supports but the long pieces that actually press the buttons inside the Mac always sheer off between layers.

MacSE_Debug(vert).stl.zip

If anyone prints one I'd love to see pictures and hear feedback.  There were a few revisions before this one and the design may yet be improved.

 

[Themk]

Yay. Ill try to see if I can get one printed in the next few weeks. My friend has a printer, we shall see!

 

[360alaska]

So I ordered a used makerbot digitizer, I'm excited to see if i can scan some Mac stuff.

 

[avadondragon]

We need to start a Wiki page collection of 3D printable Mac parts for easy access.  Scrolling through pages of discussion is sub-optimal. I've also seen other people have modeled some of the same things I have which is a silly duplication of effort that could be invested in creating even MORE Mac parts!  

 

[Themk]

I would be happy to write a Wiki page, but I will first need to ask Cory for wiki access.

Also, I got a 3D print of the programmers switches! My friend did it on his printer, it should be here in a week. I will post pics and let everyone know!

 

[Unknown_K]

How hard and costly would it be to print Quadra 950 CDROM Bezels?

 

[Themk]

Costly? I don't think so. The design would be the hardest part, but if someone had one on hand and meticulously measured it, and created a 3D model of it, not so bad!

 

[Unknown_K]

Don't you have size limitations with the machine?

 

[Themk]

How wide is the bezel, six, seven inches? That wouldn't be a big issue, there are plenty of printers with print areas large enough for that. Even if it was 10 inches wide, that would still be printable, albeit with a larger printer.

 

[avadondragon]

I think even my tiny RepRap could handle a CDROM Bezel if I fit it diagonally so almost ANY printer could probably print one.  Modelling from an original part isn't difficult at all.  I really enjoy it actually.  Some of those mac parts have some absolutely crazy geometry though.  I spent a couple hours one day calculating all the radii of a particular case front to get a model correct.

I think the biggest obstacle with making new models is that you need:

A:  The original part or at very least the machine it would go on to use for measurements.

B: Some CAD package and a bit of talent using it.

C: Your own functioning 3D printer to do test prints on.

I actually got into 3D printing because my first models failed to print correctly and I didn't know why.  I built a printer from scratch to understand how they worked and how to design my models in a suitable manner to make them print nicely.  Just because you make a perfect replica of a part doesn't necessarily yield a printable replacement.  Often some element just doesn't print well and you have to develop some strategy for compensating while maintaining the original aesthetic.

 

[Themk]

So, everyone who is interested in new Mac II, SE, and SE/30 programmers switches, I have AMAZING news for you!

Lets the pictures of the print out speak for themselves!:







Your welcome everyone

Now, there are some supports to trim away, but over all it is looking pretty good!

 

[Johnnya101]

Nice! If its ABS, it would be cool to try making it shiny (Forget how, I think acetone?), and then dull it a bit. It will first get rid of the layers, then make it have a compact mac texture!

 

[Themk]

Just so everyone knows, what I printed above was done with the *.stl file that avadondragon attached above

 

[ArmorAlley]

Hi Themk,

 If you happen to be taking orders, I'm interested in a few. I can PM you details, if and when do a production run.

I'm also very interested in front bezels for the Q950 and PM8100.

ta,

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