Joystick Controller for 3D Printer

[Dee Smith]

I just found the below post and you tube video of a ps game controller being used to control the axes of a cnc hot wire foam cutter. Does anyone know of anything similar for a 3D printer? I realize Pronterface does it graphically with a mouse but this looks like so much more fun.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...0#post29278578

Dee

[LambdaFF]

On the one hand it is appealing, a bit like sculpting. On the other hand, you'd need to be controlling the machine for hours on end... I don't know that I'd have the patience.

[RobH2]

I don't think it would be very easy to use either. With foam, height does not matter as long as you are in the right place to cut all the way through the foam. There are no layers. I can't imagine that you could control subsequent filament layers by hand without a macro lens or microscope pointed at the layer below as you tired to drive around. It sounds in theory like it might be something that could be interesting on a 3d printer but in practice I think you'd make a giant mess or nothing at all. The precision and micro movements that are required for 3d printing I think can only be controlled successfully by automation and not by hand.

[Dee Smith]

I hadn't considered using the controller for actual printing. I was thinking more of using it to position the print head for non printing purposes such as bed leveling. Granted, it probably is gross overkill, a solution in search of a problem.

Speaking of freehand printing, take a look at this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMuOdisewAc

[RobH2]

I see your point. Yea, could be gross overkill but still fun to contemplate.

What interests me more is the 3D Pen. I've never heard of one. I need to research that and see what material it is. I imagine it's a lower temp material but if it would stick to ABS it opens some unique possibilities.