[WriterOfMinds]

I've been playing with a QIDI Tech X-one 2 3D printer since last August, and have a review of it up on my blog now.  https://writerofminds.blogspot.com/2020/01/qidi-tech-x-one-2-3d-printer-review.html  Short version: I am very impressed with it.  It's been easy to use and has had only minor problems.

All the models that I used to make the items came from Thingiverse, but I'm working on learning how to make my own, so maybe I will have some robotics things to post later this year.


Model by BoldPrintShop, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:527736


Model by LoboCNC, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1817180


Model by shiuan, https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:518748

[HS]

Nice!!! And that one isn't crazy expensive, does it cost much to run after the initial investment?

[infurl]

All the models that I used to make the items came from Thingiverse, but I'm working on learning how to make my own, so maybe I will have some robotics things to post later this year.

What kinds of parts do you envisage making? I've made a few different robots over the years using various construction methods. I was seriously thinking about getting a 3D printer to start experimenting along those lines and spent a lot of time researching the possibilities. In spite of the limited strength of 3d printed parts there are some quite remarkable things that are possible with them (e.g. http://inmoov.fr/)

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more in this thread. 

[WriterOfMinds]

does it cost much to run after the initial investment?

Not really.  Filament reels (1 kg of plastic) are in the $15-20 range.  I have several different colors, but I don't think I've used a full reel's worth yet.

What kinds of parts do you envisage making?

Right now, I'm thinking of something that is basically just a camera housing (not durability-critical, so I will probably use PLA for this), and some hinge joint connectors (probably ABS).

[Art]

Are there or have you experienced any issues by mixing/combining two different plastics in a particular application? (strength, durability, flexibility, etc). Thanks!

[WriterOfMinds]

Different plastics require different melt temperatures and harden differently -- e.g. ABS shrinks as it cools, while PLA doesn't.  So I suspect that making a composite part of two different plastics or a mix would be disastrous, unless you took great care to choose materials with compatible properties.

[Art]

Your post is what basically led me to ask the question:

"Right now, I'm thinking of something that is basically just a camera housing (not durability-critical, so I will probably use PLA for this), and some hinge joint connectors (probably ABS)."

I was wondering how well (or not) those parts might play well together. I thought they would be part of the same unit (housing/hinges).

[WriterOfMinds]

Oh.  No, those would be part of separate projects.

[Art]

Sorry WOM, I misunderstood you.

[WriterOfMinds]

Here's my first attempt at 3D modeling ... not entirely original, since it's from a video game and I had the 3D files from there to start with, but still requiring a great deal of conversion work. 



Though this is just a decoration, it gave me a lot of experience working with my CAD program. I chose to start out with DesignSpark Mechanical.



The final product is up on Thingiverse, should anybody want to print one of their own: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4436583

More photos and details on the blog: https://writerofminds.blogspot.com/2020/06/hissing-silence-shell-3d-print.html