Mount and Reservoir Discussion

[Toasterboy]

So, been a while since I have posted. The pressure sensors I ordered turned out to be smaller than expected and just too tiny to successfully solder, so I haven't worked on the project for a while. I just ordered a different (much more expensive) pressure sensor that should be easier to deal with (it's much larger and comes more or less assembled with leads large enough to solder or alligator clip to easily). Will post updates again when I have a chance to play with it.

The results I had before show that the basic idea with using pump and injector will work, and I think that will be useful when attempting to scale up to much larger print reservoirs... just have to regulate the pressure so the tubing doesn't explode on me. With pressure regulated, the fluid delivery for each pulse should be extremely consistent, and programmable. Whether it's cost effective or worthwhile to do it this way remains to be seen though. =) As discussed before, to really scale up the printer design, i.e. to print something the size of a car, would probably need a more powerful laser to keep the print times more reasonable and probably some tweaks to the angular control, in addition to the precision drip control. But basically feasible.

It's pretty clear that the basic design of the Peachy printer would easily be able to print car size objects given enough time, and/or scaling up to a larger version of the same basic mechanism. It could really revolutionize rapid prototyping and manufacturing, in addition to the stated goals of making 3D printing accessible to everyone.

I'm so excited that the Peachy printer is going to start shipping soon!

[oninoshiko]

So, been a while since I have posted. The pressure sensors I ordered turned out to be smaller than expected and just too tiny to successfully solder, so I haven't worked on the project for a while. I just ordered a different (much more expensive) pressure sensor that should be easier to deal with (it's much larger and comes more or less assembled with leads large enough to solder or alligator clip to easily). Will post updates again when I have a chance to play with it.

The results I had before show that the basic idea with using pump and injector will work, and I think that will be useful when attempting to scale up to much larger print reservoirs... just have to regulate the pressure so the tubing doesn't explode on me. With pressure regulated, the fluid delivery for each pulse should be extremely consistent, and programmable. Whether it's cost effective or worthwhile to do it this way remains to be seen though. =) As discussed before, to really scale up the printer design, i.e. to print something the size of a car, would probably need a more powerful laser to keep the print times more reasonable and probably some tweaks to the angular control, in addition to the precision drip control. But basically feasible.

It's pretty clear that the basic design of the Peachy printer would easily be able to print car size objects given enough time, and/or scaling up to a larger version of the same basic mechanism. It could really revolutionize rapid prototyping and manufacturing, in addition to the stated goals of making 3D printing accessible to everyone.

I'm so excited that the Peachy printer is going to start shipping soon!

Hey tosterboy, how small are the leds? I know I've had luck with SOIC-8 packages which, frankly, I thought were going to be a lot more difficult. If that happens to be your package format, sparkfun sells some adapter boards. The other option for you is, (again you'll need an adapter board, really) is get some solder paste, and you can use a toaster oven as a reflow oven.

[Toasterboy]

The first set of pressure sensors I got were exactly as specified, 1.6mm x 1.6mm... it's just that I didn't realize how small the contacts on the chip would really be and I am a noob with soldering. (us comp sci guys rarely touch actual hardware). It would be cool if there's an easier way to use these, but if not they were only about $1.56 each so no big deal. I do have a toaster oven.
http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/400/AEAC3...580-525808.pdf

Anyway, I got a different Honeywell sensor with a hole mount and leads that are big enough for alligator clips, so it will be much easier to use. (and I won't have to convert readings in bar into psi with the new one I got).

I think I'll install the sensor into a pipe cap so I can use a pipe T and nipples to adjust to different tubing in the future. I can get a second T and hook up an analog pressure gauge also. I have a spare gauge from when I built my pressure pot for resin casting.