Fab Lab Workday 12/6/2023

Attending:

• Dave Miller
• Paul Shackleford
• Steve Saner
• Gemma Blackburn
• Brad Cozine
• Teya Chavez

Upcoming dates:

Laser cutter maintenance (smaller things): 12/13/23, 6-8pm

Laser cutter maintenance (big things): 1/6/24, 6-8pm

3D Printer Group: 1/10/24, 6:30-8:30pm

Next Fab Lab Workday: 1/16/24, 6-8pm

Laser Cutter Discussion

Kim has worked on Mario's alignment some, which greatly helped the struggling machine. All laser cutter maintenance tasks need completed though. Two laser cutter work days have been scheduled:

-One on 12/13/23 to take care of smaller tasks, such as alignment, light cleaning, and cleaning out the blower fan.

-One on 1/6/24 to work on larger tasks, such as flushing coolant, pressure washing the beds, and oiling rails.

Additional tasks for the laser cutters:

-3D print additional 7mm and 8mm focal blocks (plus a holder for them so they don’t keep ending up on the floor, kicked under the machines)

-Create a lip for the edge of the lids so random items don’t get crushed when the lids are lowered

-Replace glass on front of Luigi

Discussed storage of laser material. Dave suggested turning the closet area to the left of Mario into flat shelf storage. Measurements and plans were discussed. The shelving can be built during a future area meeting. Still need to discuss storage of smaller pieces of material.

Discussed purchasing sheets of Masonite (35 or so full sheets per year or about $500 worth) and providing them to members with the suggestion of a donation to cover most of the cost. Sheets could be distributed on a regular schedule.

Dave will set up a time to show Steve S. and Gemma how to use the rotary tool on Mario.

Identified a need for a small shop vac for cleaning lasers, plus for cleaning Fab Lab in general.

Need to expand the material library in Lightburn, or at least on the wiki.

Paul S. showed us how to set jogging speed on Mario.

3D Printers

Prusa 1 was down due to hotend problems. Prusa 4 has been experiencing X axis slipping and is still a work in progress. All Prusas need maintenance and cleaning. The 3D Printer Group will get restarted on 1/10/24, with an immediate focus on building a team to handle maintenance tasks to share the load. Had some discussion of a forum private chat between group members to document every issue noted and each maintenance task performed, including which spare parts were used. Also need to create a regular maintenance log and a list of spare parts needed.

Dave has requested two additional Prusas in the Fab Lab budget, and also a MMU upgrade for one Prusa just to try it out.

PrusaSlicer needs upgraded on FabLab computer.

Richard Owens suggested getting some enclosures for the Prusas for environmental control. Dave will look into possibly purchasing one to try it out.

There’s a regular problem with people slicing their file for one filament type and then using another. Especially problematic when high temp filament like ABS is set to a lower temp which can damage the hotend. Gemma will create a wiki page with instructions for using PLA, PETG, and ABS. Exotic filament will require prior authorization from Fab Lab. Signage will be added to the wall behind the Prusas pointing to the wiki page.

Other signage for that wall:

-Reminder that the 3D printers require authorization (either through the Basics class or peer authorization)

-Reminder to pay for material

The 4¢ per gram should cover the cost of filament…if everyone was paying. Hopefully a reminder sign with instructions will help generate more cash. Otherwise, will look at the possibility of raising the price.

To help ensure people use the correct filament, and to keep MakeICT filament distinct from personal spools, sticker labels will be added to each spool with big “MakeICT” plus the type of filament.

Filament is running low. Dave has ordered more (including green!!)

Other:

Some discussion of exploring a fiber laser or diode laser for engraving metal - which is regularly requested by members.

The Fireball CNC was donated by Barb Davis, and Dave has reached out to her to see if she’d like it back as Fab Lab no longer needs it.

TO DOs:

Print labels for filament

Update wiki for 3D printers (material type instructions)

Create 3D Printer maintenance log

Update laser cutter maintenance log

Make new focal blocks/holders for lasers

Make edge lips for lasers

Clear out boxes of stuff under CNC desk

Contact Barb about fireball (Dave has done)

Build shelves for laser material

Create wall signs for 3D printers

Upgrade PrusaSlicer

Expand Lightburn material library

Dave teach Mario rotary tool to others

Replace front glass on Luigi