February 2019 Hacker of the Month, Michael Graham, makes use of 3D printing as his mainstay instrument in testing and prototyping instruments and supplies for his engineering builds.
Posted on January 28, 2019
by
Chris Morgan
As a analysis and improvement mechanical engineer, Michael Graham has seen a number of completely different sorts of know-how come and go. However as soon as a university buddy talked about 3D printing to him, he was hooked.
A busy day for the Mug-O-Matic
Since 2011 Michael has labored as a contractor and engineer designing and constructing specialty machines and industrial tools. He has additionally dabbled in 3D printing via his profession, most notably with HP’s multi-jet Fusion 3D printer, and infrequently elsewhere. However in 2012 he picked up an authentic Printrbot with the 3D printed and laser minimize {hardware} to construct it for the training expertise.
“I noticed folks making trinkets on Thingiverse however truthfully I had no thought what I might use the machine for. It simply appeared like a doubtlessly great tool and a profession ability to choose up.”
The Wonderful Mug-O-Matic!
As soon as he moved from the Midwest to Portland, Oregon and found the PDX 3D Printing Lab meetup and the thriving maker neighborhood, he had discovered his tribe of fellow ‘layer geeks’. They meet month-to-month to share tales and nerd out. Additionally they contribute a heavy presence to the annual Portland MakerFaire.
As an engineer, Michael has created checks, jigs and fixtures, and lots of different designs. One in all his main engineering experiments got here after he turned curious in regards to the power of the completely different infill patterns utilized by most 3D printers. So, he constructed a check machine and decided that the rectilinear infill sample was not solely the quickest to 3D print, however it additionally resulted in a larger last half power/weight ratio in comparison with a honeycomb fill. He additionally decided that perimeters have a far larger impact on half power than infill does when it comes to power gained/plastic used. These outcomes helped Michael mannequin the present strategies he makes use of to design his 3D prints. An engineer all the best way!
Michael’s Common Take a look at Machine
Whereas he has a store with a lathe, a mill, and different bigger manufacturing machines, he makes use of his 3D printer essentially the most. He enjoys seeing the fruits of his labor extra simply repeated and shared. He primarily makes use of a Prusa Mk3 to manufacture his designs.
Michael’s predominant mission in the meanwhile is the Mug-O-Matic TinyCNC drawing robotic. The Mug-O-Matic is an open-source, extremely modifiable mug printing robotic that makes use of markers, and the route of the creator who makes it, to brighten favourite espresso receptacles with enjoyable designs.
Michael’s Gear Gentle Swap Cowl
“I’ve experimented with constructing a machine to routinely acetone vapor polish abs plastic utilizing an ultrasonic mister. It labored fairly nicely however it was positively a hack. These days I’ve my thoughts set on producing novelty robotic kits and my designs particularly DO NOT require any post-processing since that drastically will increase the man-hours wanted to provide them. The imaginative and prescient is to actually scrape components off the print bend and drop them right into a delivery field, with none useful compromises being made.”
Michael is continually pushed by curiosity and a want to develop and apply new expertise. This lead him to the creation of the Mug-O-Matic, “This specific work was impressed by a wide range of initiatives found on-line via my curiosity in making toys and constructing automated tools. I actually just like the ‘Eggbot’ egg plotter particularly and the way significantly it takes its foolish job. I wished to create my very own little job particular robotic too, besides with an output that has extra on a regular basis attraction than eggs. I believed hmm…I drink espresso day-after-day & I’ve by no means seen a espresso mug plotter earlier than. Sounds enjoyable! Finally, my toy has completely different priorities than the eggbot, so I take advantage of completely different know-how and commerce off a decreased drawing decision to attain a lower cost level.”
Michael’s Selfmade Vapor Polisher for ABS
However as a realist, Michael is aware of that supplies for initiatives must be attainable by everybody, so he makes use of off-the-shelf supplies, as a rule, so everybody can benefit from his creations. Solely when he can’t buy a ready-made answer does he begin designing new components. At that time, he makes use of no matter materials it takes to get the job performed proper.
Michael has put his skills to good use, profitable a number of design contests sponsored by Instructables.com, Thingiverse, Pinshape, and others. He attributes his success to placing in a critical effort to make a artistic, authentic, and reproducible mission with glorious documentation. His hottest initiatives have a number of hundred thousand views on his engineerdog.com web site (hyperlinks under).
For the long run, Michael has many initiatives to work on, however he has a weak spot that many people share, “ I strive to not overlook that the most harmful factor affecting my capability to finish a given mission is…my subsequent mission! So I strive to not do two initiatives directly. That stated, down the street, I’d have an interest to construct an expert (open-source) model of my TesterBot machine and supply a mechanical testing service. The one limitation is discovering paying shoppers first!”
A 3-wheeled design mission Michael labored on in faculty.
We stay up for seeing extra of Michael’s designs come to life sooner or later! To see extra of what Michael is as much as, go to his web site right here:
You too can see Michaels’ designs on Thingiverse right here:
Do you assume you could have what it takes to be our subsequent Hacker of the Month? Merely comply with us on Fb/Twitter or e-mail chris.morgan@matterhackers.com. Inform us about your mission or 3D printed creation, and you would be featured in our subsequent publication. The Hacker of the Month may even obtain a free spool of PRO Sequence or MH Construct filament to additional their pursuit of 3D printing greatness.