User:Darque

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Revision as of 08:24, 15 January 2015 by Darque (talk | contribs)
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Hello!

I must confess I'm a newbie addict to the RepRap world having stumbled across this project a few days before New Year 2015!
However, not a Newbie when it comes to XYZ and Robotic systems having spent many years building and maintaining Robotic Mineral Processing Laboratories and Instrumentation way down here in Western Australia. See my LinkedIn Profile here: [Shameless Plug!]

I must say I'm impressed by the achievement of the community as I can see a great range of well though out systems documented here. I hope I can add value through my experience with automation and business/engineering systems. I have a good network of excellent Engineering Professionals and will be working hard to get them involved with what we are doing here... if I can.

Current Challenges

1. Build a RepRap... of course!

I have the majority of a BOM ordered for a Prusa i3 Rework as this seemed the most viable entry point system. I've purposefully done this the hard way and have ordered vitamins from all over the world... glutton for punishment!

  • Grabbed some servos and opto's from USA ($4 a Servo! How could I resist)
  • Set of printed parts are coming from Lithuania... because I could! And a nice 75% infill and a 1.75 hobbed bolt so a good deal
  • J Head and a heat bed (and some other bits and pieces) from a local RepRapper
  • Utilised our Chinese friends for electronics and basic bearings and stuff. Also power supply but I went for a 40A just to be safe around Chinese optimism - I'm aware using cheap Chinese stuff may burn me but it is worth the learning curve to try
  • Lashed out and went all Stainless for my threaded rod and smooth bar from a local supplier
  • Got my plate(s... cut 2) from a local laser cutter... they cocked the 3mm holes (blew the backs out from too much power) and I have got them to repeat the job for free. I told a little white lie and said I could not salvage the plates... but I think I can, so that should give me 4 Prusas. I'm on my way to a farm already!
  • Just chasing a few hot end parts now and that should be it. I build instruments for a living so I have a workshop of wire, crimps and various other paraphernalia so I should be good to go as parts turn up.

2. Build Another!

I'm much more interested in the machine than the printing so I intend to build another unit almost straight away. So I can have a development machine and a production system at all times.

3. Service the WA Community

There does not appear to be a lot of Supplier options over here so I will work to help out here if I can. I've joined a couple of Maker groups so will try and build local community.

4. Show you all how it is done! =

Cough, cough! Ok maybe I'll get my first machine built before I get to cocky. I do have good systems experience and I'm fascinated how we can make the whole multi developer thing work well. Version control is a nightmare for an engineering house that can set rules, this environment is insanity by comparison! I can see reading in the forums and poking around the Wiki this is already causing headaches. I hope I can help. I understand the problem and have some basic idea of how to help but I need to crawl before I can walk.
Looking forward to meeting you all soon!

Links

User:Darque/UsefulLinks