Many hobby robot builders cast their own tires to get the perfect shape and grip. Silicone rubber (often RTV caulk) is a popular choice because it’s cheap, elastic, and easy to mold. Hardware-store silicone sealant can be cast over 3D-printed wheel hubs to make custom tiresinstructables.com hackaday.com . In fact, hobbyists report that silicone tires… Continue reading DIY Silicone Robot Tyres: A Comprehensive Guide
Category: Industrial Automation
3D printers over the years
In the last decade, consumer 3D printing has evolved dramatically, moving from complex, community-driven “nerd” projects to sophisticated, high-performance appliances. The key differences highlighted in a comparison between a 9-year-old custom-built printer and a modern Bambu Lab X1 Carbon center on automation, speed, reliability, and ease of use. Here is a breakdown of how 3D printing has… Continue reading 3D printers over the years
3D printing for outdoor
When you’ve spent hours designing and 3D printing the perfect part for outdoor use, you’ll want it to be able to withstand the elements. If you’re using the wrong material, a sudden freeze could dissolve your hard work into a cracked, warped, or brittle mess. The truth is, not all 3D printing materials are made… Continue reading 3D printing for outdoor
Selling 3D Printed Items
Introduction 3D printing has come a long way—from a niche hobby to a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, artists, and engineers. If you own a 3D printer, you’re not just making cool stuff—you’re sitting on a potential business. Whether you’re printing miniatures, cosplay parts, home décor, or custom tools, there’s a growing market for high-quality 3D… Continue reading Selling 3D Printed Items
Using Mouse Ears in 3D Printing with OrcaSlicer
3D printing small parts or models with narrow contact areas often leads to adhesion issues. Warping, curling, or outright detaching from the build plate are common problems, especially when printing with materials like ABS. One proven solution is the use of “mouse ears”, a simple yet highly effective adhesion aid. What are mouse ears? Mouse… Continue reading Using Mouse Ears in 3D Printing with OrcaSlicer
Panelising PCB in Kicad
Panelizing a PCB in KiCad involves arranging multiple copies of a PCB design on a single panel for efficient manufacturing and assembly. Below is a concise, step-by-step guide to panelizing a PCB in KiCad, based on common methods and tools. Note that KiCad does not have a native panelization tool, so manual methods or third-party… Continue reading Panelising PCB in Kicad
3D printing – Designing holes
Designing Holes for 3D Printing: Best Practices for Mass Production Holes are a fundamental feature in 3D-printed parts, but designing them correctly for mass production requires attention to detail. Poorly designed holes can lead to defects, post-processing challenges, or unreliable fits. In this guide, we’ll explore how to design holes for both side and top… Continue reading 3D printing – Designing holes
3D Modeling – AI Revolution
How AI is Revolutionizing 3D Modeling and Product Creation AI tools are rapidly transforming the way we design and manufacture physical products. From generating artwork to creating engineering-ready 3D models, the landscape is full of opportunities for creatives, engineers, and entrepreneurs. In this blog post, we explore how various AI tools are making it easier… Continue reading 3D Modeling – AI Revolution
Marlin Firmware – Configuration
Marlin Firmware Configuration Using VS Code (Not Arduino IDE) This guide outlines how to set up and configure Marlin firmware for 3D printers using Visual Studio Code (VS Code), targeting both beginners and advanced users. We will use the RAMPS 1.4 board as the example throughout this guide. Instructions for adapting to other boards are… Continue reading Marlin Firmware – Configuration
Marlin Firmware – Setting up Environment
🛠️ Guide: Setting Up Visual Studio Code to Compile Marlin Firmware 🔍 Overview This guide walks you through installing and setting up Visual Studio Code to compile Marlin firmware for 3D printers, covering both 8-bit and 32-bit boards. It uses the Auto Build Marlin plugin, making the process easier than ever—even on older systems. 📋… Continue reading Marlin Firmware – Setting up Environment