3D Printing

ELGOO NEPTUNE 4 PRO

Aug-2023

Love 3D printing, but hated the time it was taking the Ender 3 Pro to print, so I've invested in a Elgoo Neptune 4 Pro (thank you Ernie)... 

Have to say that I'm very impressed so far, not only with how easy it was to put together (comes mostly assembled), but also great prints immediately (and quick).

The additional fans (4) are noisy as reviews predicted, but I've been running them in 'silent mode' with no ill effects on the prints to date.

There is a downside at present though, in that the Elgoo Cura version bundled is old, and there is a certain amount of interaction when hosting both on my iMAC. Hoping profiles will become available for the latest Cura soon, but I can live with using the older version when the prints complete 3 times faster, and so far better quality.

Haven't attempted to network the printer as I'm happy using USB for models, and I'm seeing quite a few horror stories regarding firmware upgrade failures.

Not sure about an enclosure yet, as the one pictured to the right containing the Ender 3 Pro isn't high enough, and the prints are fine to date without one (PLA only tried so far though).

Overall, I love this printer :o)

Egloo Neptune 4 Pro Update (Sept 23) - Have been busy printing fence post caps, which have all come out very nicely. 

100mm * 80mm

As I wasn't sure I'd have enough red filament, I just printed tops for the flat bases I had already made, super glued them together, and fixed to post with screw and silicon glue around it

80mm * 80mm

These were my mk2 printed all in one, and again secured with a screw and silicon glue for sealing

First MOD to EN4P

My ender 3 Pro has a modified filament holder that uses 'skate' bearings, but as a simple start I thought a 'sleeve' on the original holder might be a good idea. Unfortunately, the rod has a small collar at the mount end, so I printed the 'sleeve' with a 'gap' to allow it to get past it.  

First real test of tall thin print

90mm x 32.6, wall thickness 0.8mm

Note the printer now in enclosure (increased height with wood)

First real test of tall thin print

90mm x 32.6, wall thickness 0.8mm

The 'gap' is to allow temporary expansion over the end collar

Sleeve fitted

Sleeve fitted - Showing 'gap'

Challenger 'kicker bar' 360º camera mount

I'd been using a 3D printed mount on the sponson bar, but at 'full tilt' I couldn't 'see' over the windward sponson.

My planned solution is a another 3D printed mount, but for the 'kicker bar' with the camera mounted below the bar...

This should (in theory) give enough height to allow full 360º views.

Successfully tested the prototype 23-Sep-2023, but there wasn't a lot of wind to raise the windward sponson very much. Need a windy day!

A first for me with this, is 'melting' the nuts using a soldering iron and some pressure. First attempt 'warped' the PLA a little, but seem to have the hang of it now...

Challenger 'kicker bar' mount for 360º camera

Wanted to get camera a little higher to 'see' over windward sponson

360º camera 'shell' attached

Anemometer - Oct-2023

Added anemometer below the direction vane :o)

CREALITY ENDER 3 PRO

3D Printing

Small site dedicated to my journey into something I've always wanted to try, but could never quite justify the seemingly large outlay i.e. 3D Printing

But given the reduced cost of what I would class as a reasonable sized printer, and a current desire to make a particular item (action camera mount for the mast of my Comet dinghy).  I decided to take the plunge, and bought my first printer, a Creality Ender-3 Pro.

Glass bed - Levelling test

After struggling to get a consistent initial layer using the supplied magnetic bed, which I love when taking the finished print off btw, I decided I'd try the glass bed I purchased at the same time as the printer...

Here's my first attempt at the bed levelling test I use at present...

Not perfect, but at least it stuck to the bed :o)

Update - several prints later and every print has 'stuck' very well to the glass bed... not going back to the magnetic mat now.

Side mounted Filament

Loved the filament roller mod, so I've modified the mod to work on the side mount mod (eh)

See Mods page for details...

This may only be a temporary change, as I've ordered a cheap direct drive plate :o)

PETG set up - first test

Wanted to try PETG for the VWI vain, but was concerned about damaging the bed...

So I've flipped the glass bed onto the 'flat side', and applied some 'blue' masking tape.

After levelling the bed, I used (as a starting point):

Latest - 16-Feb-2020


Waiting for BIGTREETECH TFT35-E3 V3.0 ...

Latest - 16-Feb-2020

Latest - 21-Apr-2020