So when there is no wind, I keep busy build things. Most recently, I finished up a Reprap. It is an open source 3D printer that builds plastic parts by depositing layers of melted plastic. The machine itself is made of 3D printed parts, to give you an idea of what it can make.

Anyways, I've been thinking about what kite related parts I can print...and I need some ideas!

Link to more details of the machine: http://www.reprap.org/
Link to a repository of other printable parts: http://www.thingiverse.com/

...typed on my phone, so sorry if the links don't appear. I'll edit when I get behind a computer!

That's pretty cool!

Ohh ohh, I am good a brainstorming :eureka:

Framed dual line kites have all sorts of cast plastic parts to them:
Nocks
in line spar connections [these are usually metal]
45 deg connectors [cross bar to leading edge]
t connectors
most have a soft nose but I could see a 3 way connector at the nose.

Rev spar caps
light [Rev size] handles

GPS brackets
camera mounts

line winders

sand stakes/ anchors

An emerging market would be action camera mount alternatives.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the plastic that these are made from of inferior quality ? I read somewhere that the pieces that are printed are not as strong as a molded piece ? Don't get me wrong, It would be great if the parts where ready to use, But I was with the understanding that this technology is used to create near perfect less expensive molds. As a fabricator this Tech is the coolest thing next to seeing my daughter for the first time but I'm not sure I would trust the piece. Especially under the stresses a large kite could potentially create .

I welcome the opportunity to get the opinion of someone who has first hand knowledge of this great technology.

Later
CB

It depends on the material used. Some of it is quite strong and durable.

True, they aren't as durable as injection molded parts, so any stress bearing, possibly dangerous if broken, parts should not be printed. However, the plastics used are the same used in injection molding. (ABS and PLA can be used on my machine.) You also have control over the density of the part, to use less plastic on nonstructural parts. But in terms of things like Crebite mention, its perfect.

barnes,
post some pics of your printer really like the idea for a project
thanks
scott

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob An emerging market would be action camera mount alternatives.

THIS!!!

Oh man, kite mounts, board mounts, buggy mounts, so many options, mounts for each kite, each camera, lines, sails.... Bob, you just blew my mind!!

I never saw a huge market for those printers, but just on those... That is soooooo cool.

Phanny 15, mid line, tachyon mount lol sign me up!

Quote:

Originally posted by Drewculous Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob An emerging market would be action camera mount alternatives. THIS!!! Oh man, kite mounts, board mounts, buggy mounts, so many options, mounts for each kite, each camera, lines, sails.... Bob, you just blew my mind!! I never saw a huge market for those printers, but just on those... That is soooooo cool. Phanny 15, mid line, tachyon mount lol sign me up!

Dude! ave a tuple parrapins and it'll all be good!

The New Canadian $100 bill is plastic.
A few of those would be nice !

Print me off a few of those Canadian $100's, too please. I'm close enough to go for a visit!

There are similar technologies that can/will include metals or other, various strengthening composites.
Then there is the possibility of metal/plastic layering to build custom electronics.

The prediction is that there will eventually be less shipping or inventory on some durable or electronic goods.
You'll simply walk into a corner shop or even a kiosk, and order items from an online catalog, selecting from many custom options.
Then you come back later in the afternoon to pick it up after it is sprayed/extruded/dried/cooled for you.

And, of course, it will be a boon to remote space explorers and colonists who can't carry or replace all the stuff they'd need to take with them (say, like on Newt's Moon Base!)

BeamerBob, Drewculus,

What cameras? What mounts? Name em', I'll design and print em'. Though I may ask for some dimensions...I've got a Kodak ZX5 and I've been planning on making some mounts for it soon, so I'll be in the camera mount mood.

@flyguy

My printer is attached, not perfectly finished however. Essentially, the machine is a 3 axis CNC machine, but rather then driving a mill, it drives a glorified hot glue gun that pull in plastic welding wire, and extrude controlled lines. There are a large handful of open source designs, but at the moment, the Prusa Mendel (That is my machine. Everything was sourced locally for me.) is the most popular. The Printrbot shows promise to fit into a >$400 machine. Makerbot Makes a great, ready to roll kit, though more expensive then the Prusa and the Printrbot.

Saw just recently one of these kinds of machines. But it's used for making the MODEL for what would be later made of a metal material. How expensive are these machines? How much is it for the plastic....more or less than volume of a ream of copy paper?;-)

Kite parts take on so much stress ...seems there's not a lot of plastic...

But lots of ideas for other stuff related or even unrelated could be had. The future is here....

I built mine for ~$400, sourcing parts from all over rather then buying a kit. Plastic runs about $15/pound, but obviously discounts for more bulk.

...ah yes, the future sure is here. The day I went to hang up my jacket and noticed I was out of hooks, so I printed one in 15 minutes, was the day I knew I was doing some crazy sci-fi stuff.

First we were impressed by the machine....now we(techno-no knows)...are impressed by you.

*Hmmmnn...I need a nice swivel pair of mounts and plastic backboard that can go on my buggy's rear axle behind seat( for- voile'!-a fold down adj. backrest!)..


.. that's one down. More...?

*Splash guards! Can you make curved sufaces/planes?

*Stake holders ( attach back of seat or along fork?).

* plastic behind the seat lunch box.

*Quad handle joiner piece- to join handle lead ends together and turn handles into temporary bar. ( I saw a video of this).

*"Are we not men" Devo Cone hats....

*Shin guards/spine guards... and like...just add foam after and straps.

*Steering peg pedals-for comfort ..keeps foot flat/distributes pressure.


CAN YOU MAKE ME A MACHINE>>>???:tumble:

More maybe later......:roll:

You and I need to work with guy who made this maybe...:
[img][/img]

:wee::roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I want to build one of these... http://video.designworldonline.com/video/Sciaky39s-Direct-Ma... Welcome back barnes:alien: Isn't this how the "terminator" thing started?:puzzled:

http://video.designworldonline.com/video/DARwin.html

Quote:

Originally posted by barnes Drewculous, What cameras? What mounts? Name em', I'll design and print em'. Though I may ask for some dimensions...

im thinking a mount for the twister2 5.6m, blade ViP, and phanny 15m

my camera is the tachyon microHD... i might hafta dig out the calipers to get exact measurements for ya....

can you 3d scan objects and add like kite/line mounts, then print?


the attatched pic is the basic tachy mount.... if you can scan/edit/print i'll just send you one and you can mess with it... this is awesome stuff!

could do something as simple as addind some line loops in the mounting hardware... for a general mount, put loops at the top and bottom... and you could just about mount it anywhere

Scanning is an expensive process...I can scan with my Xbox Kinect, but it isn't quite acurate enough. The best bet is measurements. The part looks easily printable though! I'll see if I can find some dimensions online, but likely you'll need to supply them.

Quote:

Originally posted by barnes ...I can scan with my Xbox Kinect

dude!

You are a freaking madman!!

seriouosly? wtf? Where do you work? What underground bunker do they have you in making 007 gadgets!

McGuyver and Chuck Norris dont have s*#$ on you! wow... just wow dude... you rock

Macgyver is my idol, good part of the reason I am the dork I am!

...but no credit to me, I am simply standing on the shoulders of giants!

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21022
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21022
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21022

Make and sell red tophats!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Drewculous http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21022 http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21022 http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=21022 Make and sell red tophats!!

Actually thought about that last night....

http://www.emachineshop.com/

ATB,
Sam

I just ordered the 8020 extrusions, joiners and slides for the 3D printer that I am working on. I'm counting on it being strong enough to put a dremel tool on and do some small carving as well in derling or HDPE.

Quote:

Originally posted by acartier1981 I just ordered the 8020 extrusions, joiners and slides for the 3D printer that I am working on. I'm counting on it being strong enough to put a dremel tool on and do some small carving as well in derling or HDPE.

The 8020 extrusions should be plenty stout. If you are worried about it, you can use the Deflection Calculator to figure out your needs based on load.
http://www.8020.net/Design-Tools-26.asp

ATB,
Sam

Thanks Indigo, I had given up looking on their site for tech specs with tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. 18 inches of the 1010 supported at both ends with 200 lbs in the center will deflect less than .001 inches, now I see why so many guys build their CNC routers out of this stuff.

Extrusions with a dremel fo HDPE/delrin is no problemo. (Dust mask on for the delrin. Laser cut the stuff with a super nice air filter system, and still I thought my lungs were melting.)