User:Kvk5287
Karol Kolc RepRap Wiki
Info, Blogs, Projects, more!
Contents
About Me
| RepRap User: Karol Kolc | ||
|---|---|---|
|
||
| University | Penn State | |
| Class of | 2016 | |
| Major | Aerospace Engineering | |
| Partner | Devin O'Donnell | |
| Printer | Clear Printer | |
Introduction
During Fall 2014 I am taking the course of EDSGN 497J which is the open source 3-D printing course. Follow me on my blog where I update status on the printer that my team is working on and interesting facts about additive manufacturing and related material.
BLOGS
Blog #1
Class has finally started and work has begun on our printers. We have been assigned the clear printer to be working on for the remainder of the semester. We hope that in the 15 class weeks we will become sucessfull in turning the printer into a working reality. Looking upon the wiki website, it turns out that our printer was actually running for a time in 2011 before it was deemed to be too damaged. This gave us some sign of relief that the printer at one point in its lifetime was actually running and operating. I am happy to say that our group has the capability and skills to make this into a fantastic group project. There is still soo much to learn!
Blog #2
Upon inspection of our printer we have found many different types of problems that need to be fixed in order to get the printer to completion. Among these problems was a chipped off extruder belt arm and a damaged filament nozzle. As of right now, these are the only two things that need to be replaced in the printer before we can truly see if the circuits and wiring actually runs. Disassembling the nozzle we have found corrupt and frail wiring that will need to be replaced and re soldered. Devin will do this part while I find a way to replace the small arm piece to the printer. Upon discussion with the TA, Ian, we will make a decision whether or not to replace the nozzle or try and fix it. However, in the meantime, here is a picture of the nozzle, it is in rough shape.
.JPG)
Blog #3
As an aerospace engineering student myself, I find it fascinating what can be done to improve the aerospace industry especially in the manufacturing. One of the newest technologies of additive manufacturing can help achieve ways to produce advanced aerospace components by 3D printing. Companies such as GE are taking in huge investments on this new type of technology to limit costs, production control procedures and of course general usability to print materials that are stronger, lighter and cheaper. Having an ideal mindset to make these new components made of new experimental materials that can not only improve aircraft but also change the lifespan of different models. The companies that are running the forefront now will be the primary technology epicenters for the upcoming future where additive manufacturing will become more readily available through cost and testing of different processes. In my prediction, in a short span of 10 years, many components of aircraft especially in cabin components will be 3D printed to make ease in assembly and production.
Blog #4
This week we have finally gone out of our comfort zones and actually came for 2-3 hours on a Friday afternoon to get the ball rolling and get the arm piece replaced. From the wiki, we have downloaded the needed STL files to be a perfect fit for our printer and have uploaded to one of the working arduino computers. From there we then setup the gcode needed to run the print. We initially have problems finding the software to convert the files into the printer interface but then were successful to get the print started. The print alone took about one hour and the rest of our time was tinkering and setting up the printer/software. We have finally got a hand of the printer technologies and it was a sight to see a first test print of the arm finally go! These printers take awhile to setup but are worth it in the end!
Blog #5
Once again, the jet engine design has caught my attention. This week I have given a presentation of the jet engine technologies that the aerospace industry is using and the designs of people working on real engines that are 3d printed from their homes! This would be an extremely difficult but rewarding project to actually print the jet engine parts, fit them all together and turn the engine on! The jet engine would be powered by compressed air that would lead it into the compressor and turbines to make it spin. Upon looking at the design, the tolerances for this print would have to be tight because if not, the high pressure of the air would actually tear the engine apart! Regardless of the problems that arise from this, the aerospace applications have once again shown me that there is too many cool and interesting aspects with this technology.
Blog #6
Well, here we are back to the test part we created. We initially had high hopes that atleast the test part that we printed would be almost functional, but we were wrong and there is still too much to learn. The printing at first started out very well but towards the end of the print cycle, the printer was not configured enough to get a precise measurement for the top layer and the part became deformed. Looking back at our experience, we had learned much about how the printers run and operate and we got a fantastic learning experience. From previous consultation with the TA, it will now go back and reprint the part but this time with advanced settings and squaring the printer, which is just adjusting the parts to make a tight tolerance. After the squaring, it are sure that the printer will cooperate this time around to print the part!
