I get it, everyone is addicted to branding everything under the sun these days. Too many tech articles lead with “Pruzah 3d Printer model XYZ-19a with FeelMeTouchMe v5.56 z-probe, v7.62 firmware by DoodleBug, using Ridges-of-Ink Ultraviolet PLA filament part number Q30.06…how to clear a jam!” rather than “Clearing filament jams from the Pruzah…” When the first few words are “How to…”, I get happy. When the first few words of an article specify some software/hardware, I get cranky. I use Blender and Cura, so I can’t make stuff? I drive a Ford…does this mean I can’t drive on the same roads, use the same fuel and get to the same places as Audi drivers? Of course from the time-is-money aspect, perhaps not so much, but I learned a lot and still have the jig in case I want to cut more long edges of sheet metal. It saved me about 300 AUD over having one made to fit. It guided the cut-off disc so smoothly along that, after a bit of draw-filing, was acceptably good and close to a guillotine edge finish in straightness. The subsequent jig comprised 3D printed parts, a length of square aluminium RHS, scrap of angle steel, a bit of teflon sheet, and an air cut-off wheel tool. The stainless was too hard for my jigsaw to cope with and the edge that did get cut was awful.
#OPENSCAD FONT LIST CODE#
Indeed, mixed-media jigs are a great way to trade off jig manufacturing time at the expense of some extra code to accommodate fixture holes, edge alignments, sockets, clamps and other requirements for the other materials, however that can all be learned in time.Ĭase example in point – last year I made a jig to cut a sheet of scrap brushed stainless steel for the surround fascia of a new kitchen cooktop. Posted in 3d Printer hacks Tagged openscad, woodworking Post navigation Or you can - sort of - print in plywood, if you like. We’ve looked at woodworking gadgets from 3D printers before.
If you have done a lot of OpenSCAD, you probably won’t see much new here, but if you haven’t created parameterized scripts, the video can show you how easy that can be. Finally, because the script is parameterized, it is easy to create a new jig for similar circumstances that have different dimensions. Of course, if a jig gets worn or broken, you can simply print another one. First, you can iterate on the design without having to rebuild a new jig. There are several advantages to this approach. Using OpenSCAD, it is possible to create a parameterized jig that fits exactly the job at hand. Sure, you could just drill a piece of scrap wood as a template, but with a 3D printer you can do better. The issue is making dowel joints for the shelve’s feet. That’s exactly what does when he uses his printer to make some jigs to help him easily build shelves. In fact, sometimes the real value of 3D printing something isn’t to make a working part, but to make up something that helps you create other things using methods other than printing.
But you wouldn’t be any more surprised if your neighbor had a 3D printer than if you found out they had a drill press. Sure, printers aren’t as ubiquitous as, say, PCs. Home-based 3D printing is getting pretty unremarkable.