Insightful quote(s) of the day

I posted this someplace as someone has been having some bad times lately, and figured everyone could benefit:

Quote from: Buddha

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.

My quote:

If feeling down think of the small things which make you happy!
If feeling unsure, look at the small things that make you happy!
It all starts one small step at a time.....

RigidBot - 3D Printer build from KickStarter

So, I got this printer about a month ago and finally was able to get it assembled.  Have an album of pictures here with everything related to the RigidBot.

Due to quality issues with Chinese manufacturing, as of right now this is an expensive paperweight.  That said, I am impressed with the overall thought and design that went into this printer and the build process for me was relatively smooth.

Getting the printer

Got IT!

While shipping of this was delayed many months, due in no small part to the large array of "hands in the pie" in China, and their "assurances" that parts would be done tomorrow, next week, etc., finally got the printer.

Was actually quite surprised how big the box was and how heavy it is when loaded it on the scooter.  Managed to successfully clamp it down and toodle down the highway for about 30 minutes to get it back to the RV.  Had it shipped to a location that thought could stay at, but alas, internet was very spotty there, though had a spot overlooking the lake, how wonderful!

Unboxing

Initial opening, YAY

Despite my thoughts on having this manufactured in China, without direct supervision of all the parts and pieces, as mentioned above, was very impressed with quality of packaging.

First level

I wish there was less styrofoam, but it shows some care was taken in designing packaging for this printer.  I wish this care extended to all parts of the manufacturing process, but I digress again.

Second layer

Everything was pretty well laid out, and protected, on the first layer.  I do not see how anything could be damaged during shipping as everything is well isolated and the ability for things to go bump in the night, err, shipping container, is minimal.  On the underside of the first layer was the "free" roll of filament, 1kg I believe.

Bottom layer

The second layer is the one which contains any addons that aren't part of the standard RigidBot. In my case I got the addon LCD (with USB spot), and then a spool holder. The spool holder was "free" because of amount raised on the KickStarter.

The bottom layer contains all the cross members needed for building, as well as the rods, bed, heated bed, covers for the bottom, and who knows what else there was.

All in all, packaging was very impressive!

Assembly

For each step will be including link to the RigidTalk website, one being operated by fellow backers.  The link will be to their wiki, which contains instructions and notes from other users.  I will add my own observations here.

Sub Assembly 1

This step is really straight forward.  Not really much to talk about here, it's basically grunt work.  Insert these bushings here, put this bolt and bearing there, mount this motor here, yada yada.

Sub Assembly 2

This step is also pretty simple.  One item that didn't have to do right off the bat is attach the rods to the stepper.  I got the Z-rod upgrade to have finer threads (better resolution) and it is attached directly to the stepper motor.  I do not much care for that design aspect due to if something goes wrong will most likely have to replace the whole stepper motor assembly as can't really take the rod off. Though, could make/get a coupling and hacksaw if needed.

Here are all the other parts needed, basically assembly of the extruder support structure and limit switches.

One note, which had to fix later, is I put the limit switch onbackwards, meaning the circuit board that contains the switch was assembled so switch was on the "outside". I had to turn this around so that the switch was nestled inbetween the plastic posts.

Bonus - Kitten Picture

Extruder Assembly

Extruder parts

This step was a little more complicated in that the diagram was complex.  As can be seen by the parts picture there are quite a few small parts.  These were spread throughout the top layer of the packaging and had to look hard for some of these.

For me, getting this right was the hard part.  It took a little trial and error to get all the parts in the proper order, the spring compressed, and the correct bolt (in top right corner) in place.  Couple times had the wrong size bolt in there and that, of course, caused some issues.

Other than that this was a snap to put together.  I didn't finalize the whole extruder assembly as I have one of the badly machined extruder heads, so that will be replaced.  I am also going to experiment putting a third party dual extruder on that I got someplace.  Will add more details of that when it's time.

Gantry Assembly

This step assembles the platform on which the extruder slides to and fro. No major issues with this as everything went fairly smooth.  The two rods pictured were first things I grabbed from the bottom layer.

This seems to be a common theme with things manufactured in China, which I don't really care for, but a lot of the parts on the bottom level still had a light coating of machine oil and had that machine oil smell to it.  Some people might be sensitive to that.  Doesn't bother me other than showing that they don't care much about a final finished product.

Top Frame Assembly

This step was very easy!  I like easy!

It took a little effort in some cases to push the steel bars into the corner pieces, and had to pay attention to where the holes are aligned, but other than that fairly easy.

This is one of the spots where the engineering of the RigidBot showed through for me.  Everything seems to be solidly engineered.

Bottom Frame Assembly

This step was also very easy!

There isn't much to report for this step, except to be careful on how the rods are slid into the corner pieces.  This is important due to where the electronics are situated, which is in one of the corners.  If one of the frame pieces are rotated wrongly, the holes won't line up properly, which means disassembly and fixing the problem.

Middle Frame Assembly

This step is the first one where I actually start seeing the printer come together.

Really had no problems here, plastic was snug sometimes but everything went together really smoothly. At least the injection molding done was good!

Bottom/Middle/Gantry Assembly

This step was also really simple.

One thing to note, is that overnight had temporarily lightly joined the top and bottom together for storage.  When took it apart for this step I cracked some of the plastic corners.  Not overly bad but it might affect strength a tiny bit, so be careful!

Everything went together as expected though.  I left off the black covers, except for the front (where LCD is).

Heated Bed Assembly

This step in the instructions is not to scale in the instructions.  However assembly was fairly simple and straight forward.

Putting the springs between the heated bed and part #1027 was a royal pain. I guess this is how we're also supposed to level the bed.  I can see that this part won't be much and hopefully someone will come up with a better solution.

Other than the springs, only other issue had with this step was removing the plastic film.  This was a royal Pain.  Removing plastic from the extruder plate was easy and wish it was same way here.

Completing Frame Assembly

This step isn't completed for me.

Have most everything assembled, though haven't done much in the wiring management arena, mainly due to some problems am having.

Some Notes

In no particular order

• Have a bad heater block for the extruder.  It has potential to cause ooze..
• Have a ribbon cable failure, as shown in picture below
• Would've been nice to have power supply mount to frame like electronics, cleaner appearance and better for cable management
• Wish print bed didn't extend beyond frame, be careful where placing this.
• Electrical components/cabling/electronics should've been higher quality, seems like went with bargain basement Chinese manufacturing here.
• Thermistor cable could be inch or two longer (at least), it's very tight fitting.
• Wish there was a "quick release" for the extruder from extruder mount platform.
• The bottom "covers" should fit snugly.  There is warping in middle when put them in place.
• Connectors and cabling seems to be of very low quality, hazardous almost
• There's one spot, in frame assembly, where one of the corners didn't have hole drilled so couldn't put a bolt there to secure it.  It's secured in other ways.
• Belts seem hard to adjust after install.
• One of the belts rubs against motor mount. Will have to take knife and cut slots on the ridges
• Allen wrenches could be of higher quality.  I stripped both ends of the 3mm allen wrench included.  Had to find my Craftsman metric allen wrench set.  Looks similar to this.
• When joining things together, sometimes it took a little effort until things were seated. 
• Took several minutes after first power on till the LCD displayed something.

Bad cable, BAD!

 

Summary

Overall am pleased with the build.  I wish more attention was paid to quality and it didn't seem like everything was sourced to the lowest bidder (in China) with what appears to be virtually none, or very little, oversight done, with the odd exception of approved "samples".

Know That Right Now....

Somebody misses you

Somebody needs your support

Somebody wants to talk to you

Somebody is very proud of you

Somebody is thinking about you

Somebody wants to be with you

Somebody is alive because of you

Somebody wants you to find them

Somebody wants you to be happy

Somebody admires your strength

Somebody can't wait to see you

Somebody wants to hug you

Somebody loves you

Somebody wants to be near you

Somebody needs you to have faith in them

Somebody is glad that you are their friend

Somebody wants to get to know you better

Somebody wants to share their dreams with you

Somebody trusts you, and wants you to trust them

Somebody listens to a song that reminds them of you

Somebody is thankful for the support you've provided

Somebody wants you to know that they are there for you

Think I got this at one of Nikken's Humans Being More training sessions I've attended, pretty sure it was the last one I attended in Panama City, FL, where picked up Scatter (the new kitten). But my memory escapes me.  This course is not at all about Nikken, it is about us expanding ourselves, personally.  Whatever that means to you is what you'll get from the two day course.

Another piece of the puzzle

A wonderful colleague of mine just shared this video.  This video is a small piece of why am on this journey of mine.  I haven't been focused on learning everything I need to just yet as it will all come when am ready for it.

For reference, here is The Meaning, of why am on this journey of mine

And the Video (HUGE thanks Julie!):

Savannah and odd meeting in FL

So, not really an odd meeting, but more of a coincidence, and I believe there is no such thing as coincidences in life.

I forgot his name, but met a fellow blogger, sfomoto, under a bridge while enroute to Bern's Steakhouse.  Was really great talking to him and we were both camped out under the bridge waiting for the thunderstorm to pass.  I was just putting helmet on again to get going when saw another bike come under the shelter so thought would wait to see who it was, and then we got to talking until rain lightened up.

We traded stories about each others bikes, and the joy/love of riding, and then he asked me what I did....  Am guessing he saw my out of state (from far away) plates on the scooter.  So we started talking about the RV lifestyle and how great it is, and what the limiting factor(s) are.

It is my belief, and I could be mistaken (ssshhh), that the main limitation to living the RV Lifestyle (or any LifeStyle you want to), is in our minds.  Once we clear up the gunk in the mind then we'll realize anything is possible, so long as we can truly believe in it, such as the lofty goal of putting humans on Mars!

So, it is with hope that he reads this, clears out the gunk in mind, and gets on with his dreams...

Savannah!

Wasn't expecting much from Savannah, but some people told me to check out Forsyth Park and all the little squares in the area, as this is one of the areas which "define" Savannah.  There were couple other places I was told to check out, but forgot where they were, ooops.

This park is amazing, there was even a wedding about to take place as was walking around, by a big fountain of sorts.  Plenty of trees and it was a nice temperate day, very enjoyable. One thing that really stood out was a nice looking Bed and Breakfast which borders the park called Forsyth Park Inn.  I was able to go in and take a look around and was very impressed.  If am ever in the area again, without my RV, will definitely stop here as it's in a wonderful location!

From the park just wandered around town, walking to the River Walk and back to the park.  The River Walk area is very active and, while it has touristy stuff, there looks to be quite a few nice restaurants and plenty of things to gaze at.  Plenty of bars too if that's your thing.

Scattered throughout Savannah is a campus for one college, in small buildings here and there.  The college is SCAD, Savannah College of Arts and Design.  They have little stores too where can buy some the students, or alumni?, creations.  Took a peek through some of the windows and talked with people coming out, and very impressed.  Supposedly this college is well known among the Arts and Design people.

While wandering around town ran into an old friend used to work with.  It was amazing and great to see him here. Ran into him, and his partner, at some sort of neighborhood block party stumbled across and turns out that they live within spitting distance of the Forsyth Park Inn was admiring earlier.  It's a small world indeed!  They pretty much just arrived in the city a couple months ago after moving from Chicago! It was super awesome to meet up with them, and they make the bestest green stuff (pesto I think) have ever had!!!!

There are quite a few more things to talk about this wonderful little town, but somethings just have to be discovered on our own!  There are plenty of things to do, at least for an extended stay, and it's a very walkable (or bicycleable) city and easy to get around in.

Will repeat!

EDIT:  07/12/2014 Forgot to add link to sfomoto's blog, and looks like he hasn't updated it in a little while.  He is a really awesome guy and would enjoy talking to him again when our paths cross again.

Healthy Home Improvement

One of the wonderful things about the Nikken Organization, either being an advocate/consumer, or just knowing about them, is the wonderful work they do in regards to bringing forth healthy living, and not just simply by using their products, though they are wonderful.

It is their partnerships, specifically with the Healthy Child organization, that a significant portion of the good work is done.  It is all being informed on how toxic our environment is and steps to be taken to improve it.


Without further ado, this is the e-book that the Healthy Child organization just released.  It is all about being mindful how go about home improvement by watching products put into the home and looking at what's in the home at every step of the home improvement process.  This also applies to my situation of living in an RV.


The Healthy Child organization has quite a few different relationships with a large variety of companies and organizations, but it's all about creating a healthy environment for adults, children, and even pets, anyone who lives in a building.

This message is for everyone, not just those who have children.

And, a bonus video of Life in Balance, totally goes with this message!

Good and Cheap

This sounds like a weird title for a cookbook, but it truly looks good and cheap.  The KickStarter project explains it all!

The current PDF file can be downloaded for free right now, though she'll be adding more recipe's later after the KickStarter ends.

In other news:

• In Connecticut right now hanging out.  No real campgrounds per se worth noting, but here for other reasons
• Have started pulling up the icky blue carpet and replacing with a linoleum tile thing.  Looks much nicer than it sounds, hopefully lasts in an RV environment
• Got my RigitBot 3D printer!  Will assemble it after floor is down and couch is in!

While don't have any pictures, will have a nice writeup on my visit in Georgia, Savannah specifically, it is an awesome little city!