The All New Thingybot Thingystock V2

[orangefurball]

Not really an official announcement, but I figured I would share it with PBT first!

Here is the 99% complete Thingystock V2! (Ignore the messy table...)

IMG_20150313_175439.jpg

Some notable changes include
* Magnetic effector - ZERO backlash
* Aluminum bed - Glass breaks, aluminum doesn't
* Auto-calibration WITHOUT the probe! - The alu bed allows me to use the hotend and bed as a probe combo, meaning there is perfect repeatability and no pesky endstops for calibration
* No clips - while clips were great in theory, screws are the better option. Mounting brackets built into the top and bottom frame allow mounting of everything; no clips required!
* RAMPS board now mounts on top - less intrusive and uses less wire
* And a lot more!

I'm really excited for this printer. It still runs on RAMPS, still has the amazing E3D V6, and is still completely open and expandable!

So how does it print? Here is a quick print sample of Makerbot's Laser Cat (Without lasers)

IMG_20150313_175454.jpg

So what's left to do? I just need to get some feet made from rubber - that's it!

What do you guys think?

[Corey Warren]

Wow. I'm very impressed. The print quality looks great to me. I'm really curious how the autoleveling works without a probe. If I didn't already have have several printers I'd be jumping on this right now.

[orangefurball]

[JonS]

Very nice indeed, although the lack of laser is a bit of a let down.

[orangefurball]

[orangefurball]

image.jpg

Another day, another print! This time it's a high poly octopus! .1 mm layer height, very cool!

[etxbkst]

Your print quality is outstanding! Is this an open source design or one you're going to be publishing? I'd love to build one.

[orangefurball]

[thawkins]

[orangefurball]

[orangefurball]

I have been testing the printer like crazy.

I printed a large bow in multiple pieces and a few smaller pieces that you see above.

To test the auto-calibration and what effects it may have, I ran a series of auto leveling routines that totaled about 18 hours of auto calibration. No negative effects happened, so I don't see any problem with it. I will be doing a 24 hour test soon (this simulates calibrating many many times)

More prints coming soon!

[tfmike]

please release the files I wanna make one!

[orangefurball]

Time for another update!

This time it's all about the hot end. The E3D v6 is the best one out their in my opinion, but it is a bit overkill for the Thingystock. Luckily E3D released the Lite6 and I have been using it for a little while on my Thingystock.

IMG_20150506_144420.jpgIMG_20150506_144433.jpgIMG_20150506_144440.jpgIMG_20150506_144545.jpg

This is one of the test prints. This was at a .1mm layer height and is beautiful. I can barely see the layers, overhangs are perfect, and the detail is flawless. The only thing I have to work on is the retraction. I had it set too high so there was some back pressure causing some oozing. The pictures really don't do it justice. It looks almost like a casing rather than a 3D print.

This test print is really making me lean towards using the Lite6 on the basic Thingystock and the E3D Cyclops on the dual color Thingystock (after testing that one, of course)

Thanks!

[msizemore]

+1 for releasing the files. I'm starting to amass enough parts that it would be relatively cheap for me to put one of these together. Plus, my Simple Metal is nearly 6 months old now. It's about time it started replicating.

[orangefurball]

Right, so after a long time of redesigning and testing, I'm finally ready to release my design and start selling printers. Here is an update on what's going on and what will be happening.

I'll start by saying that the files will be going up the end of July to Thingiverse and Youmagine, some build instructions and calibration videos will go up shortly after that. These are meant for people who know what they are doing and will assume you have some sort of knowledge of 3D printers. They won't be fancy but will work well enough for now.

After that, I will be launching another Kickstarter campaign. This time for the Thingystock V2. I wanted to stay away from Kickstarter but decided it would be worth another shot. The reason behind going the Kickstarter route is that I can get a better idea of the initial demand and get a good first round of orders in.

If the Kickstarter isn't successful, I will still be selling the Thingystock V2, it will just be in a much smaller release and probably slower, but it will still be released.

I'm releasing the designs before the Kickstarter so people who have been waiting to make their own can stop waiting and so I can get feedback and maybe drum up some interest in the campaign/printer in general.

More info to come soon!

[frankv]

A bit off topic, but, could you satisfy my curiosity and share why you wanted to stay away from KickStarter?

[orangefurball]

[Mooselake]

Yeah, the $3 mill Tiko KS started off by hiring legal and marketing firms. What's wrong with that picture?

Kirk

[orangefurball]

V2 files have been remodeled or discovered in my gmail account, all the files are now up!

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1052789

Parts list and print list is available here http://www.thingybot3d.com/thingystock.html

[bbrown64]

I want one of these printers, PLEASE. Also I need the octopus file. Since I do enjoy steampunk I need a octopus.

[orangefurball]