February 2019 Hacker of the Month, Michael Graham, makes use of 3D printing as his mainstay software 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 couple of totally different sorts of know-how come and go. However as soon as a school pal 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 gear. He has additionally dabbled in 3D printing via his profession, most notably with HP’s multi-jet Fusion 3D printer, and sometimes elsewhere. However in 2012 he picked up an unique Printrbot with the 3D printed and laser minimize {hardware} to construct it for the training expertise.
“I noticed folks making trinkets on Thingiverse however actually I had no thought what I’d use the machine for. It simply appeared like a doubtlessly great tool and a profession talent to choose up.”
The Superb 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. In addition they contribute a heavy presence to the annual Portland MakerFaire.
As an engineer, Michael has created exams, jigs and fixtures, and lots of different designs. Considered one of his main engineering experiments got here after he grew to become curious in regards to the energy of the totally different infill patterns utilized by most 3D printers. So, he constructed a take a look at machine and decided that the rectilinear infill sample was not solely the quickest to 3D print, nevertheless it additionally resulted in a higher last half energy/weight ratio in comparison with a honeycomb fill. He additionally decided that perimeters have a far higher impact on half energy than infill does by way of energy 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 probably 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 principal undertaking in the intervening time 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 robotically acetone vapor polish abs plastic utilizing an ultrasonic mister. It labored fairly properly nevertheless 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 elements off the print bend and drop them right into a delivery field, with none purposeful 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 explicit work was impressed by quite a lot of initiatives found on-line via my curiosity in making toys and constructing automated gear. I actually just like the ‘Eggbot’ egg plotter particularly and the way severely it takes its foolish process. I needed to create my very own little process particular robotic too, besides with an output that has extra on a regular basis attraction than eggs. I assumed hmm…I drink espresso on daily basis & I’ve by no means seen a espresso mug plotter earlier than. Sounds enjoyable! In the end, my toy has totally different priorities than the eggbot, so I exploit totally different know-how and commerce off a decreased drawing decision to realize a lower cost level.”
Michael’s Selfmade Vapor Polisher for ABS
However as a realist, Michael is aware of that supplies for initiatives needs to be attainable by everybody, so he makes use of off-the-shelf supplies, as a rule, so everybody can make the most of his creations. Solely when he can’t buy a ready-made resolution does he begin designing new elements. At that time, he makes use of no matter materials it takes to get the job accomplished proper.
Michael has put his abilities to good use, successful 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, unique, and reproducible undertaking with wonderful 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 capacity to finish a given undertaking is…my subsequent undertaking! So I strive to not do two initiatives without delay. 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 undertaking Michael labored on in faculty.
We sit 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 may also 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 undertaking or 3D printed creation, and you possibly can be featured in our subsequent publication. The Hacker of the Month may even obtain a free spool of PRO Collection or MH Construct filament to additional their pursuit of 3D printing greatness.
