"Spider" printer idea Jeffrey Schwartz (07 Aug 2014 15:01 UTC)
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Re: [TML] "Spider" printer idea
Bruce Johnson
(07 Aug 2014 16:16 UTC)
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Re: [TML] "Spider" printer idea
Jeffrey Schwartz
(07 Aug 2014 17:44 UTC)
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Apologies: running pretty rough today. Took doctor prescibed stuff last night, waiting for it to wear off. In mean time, brain works nice,but body/hands hurt. Typing is rough, means grammar/syntax/spelling much lame. But had idea, want to get it down before I forget... and very interested in TML feedback since many smart people here. This is intended as a 3D printer for colony usage. Tech level is "Today" - I don't think there's anything in this that we couldn't make right now, it'd just be expensive and tricky. Has 8 sets titanium poles with andozided ruler/axis markings on them. Set of 4 1 meter long poles. First one is pointed on one end, and hollow, intended to be driven into the ground. Others snap on, and little screw goes in to lock together. One pole has slots and mounting screw for 'spider nest" Spider is 50cm dia thing w/8 legs. Each has motor on end with wheel. Spider also has motor driven winch on top. Inside is sand hopper, secondary hopper, spool w/kevlar cord, spool of thin wire, and multiple LED IR lasers. (I'm thinking an array of 1W Blueray lasers would work, even...Could use a dozen of them all aimed at the same point.) Drive first pole into ground. location should be sandy soil - beach behind windbreak dunes, desert, etc. Attach spider nest to pole. Fill fold out cloth hopper on nest w/beach sand. Attach solar panel to nest. Spider drives out of nest, trailing power cord to nest. Uses little dozer blade to level ground, using cellphone cam eyes spaced around body to reference to first pole. Drives to where 2nd pole should be, using lasers to sinter sand as goes. When gets to spot, drives in little circle to make brace for pole. When done, alerts user to drive in second pole. Repeat for other poles. When done, it drives back and forth between poles, scraping level and sintering to make work platform. Then alerts user. Should have octagon work space about 4 meters in diameter when done. Detach legs, snap each one to top of one of the poles. Long wire w/bungee cord runs from detached leg back to spider body. Get spool of kevlar cord from nest, replace wheel on leg with spool. Unwind to Spider, snap the carbiner on end to the hasp on the top part of spider. Release catch on top part of spider: little 8-sided frame w/the 8 cords comes loose. Attach winch part to the little frame, and feed power/control wires through frame. Now have "skyhook frame" that is attached to all 8 poles, and can be moved anywhere over the work space by reeling/unreeling cord. Spider main body with sand hopper, laser, cameras, winch is hanging under skyhook, can go up and down. When printing initial layer, puts down sand underneath 1st layer to act as 'grease for the pan' so object doesn't sinter to the work platform It can also return to the nest location to change tools, get other materials, refill sand hopper. Programming supports doing things like feeding kevlar cord in to sand being sintered to give extra strength, or feeding wire in for strengthening, conducting current, making coils, etc. Solar panel is flexible tarps. When all poles are up and machine is fully operational, the tarps snap on to the poles to enclose the whole work area, so wind doesn't mess things up on taller prints. Things to print: Up to 2 Meter by 2 meter by 10cm "Lego panels" for making shelter, sheds, chicken coops, etc (Various sizes, shapes) including axle parts, wheels, hinges. ---- various kinds of animal traps ---- various kinds of hydroponic gardening stuff Parts for wheelbarrow Parts to assemble to make copper smelter Parts to assemble to make thing that takes copper, melts, and then extrudes as fine wire Spools for wire Parts to assemble grinding machine that pulps soft plant matter, turns in to pellets/globs that can be formed kinda like clay. Parts to take pellets, smoosh, form and turn into thread/yarn/twine Spools for yarn/twine (Spider can go swap out the Kevlar spool for a yarn spool to strengthen builds - sort of fiberglass-ish) Insulation panels, using twine and glass. Should have edges that match Legos Parts to assemble a small windmill - snap together "Legos" to make 4m tall tower, has rotating part on top with eggbeater turbine and rod that goes down to transmission on bottom that has standard PTO shaft Parts to assemble water wheel for putting in stream/creek, ends in standard PTO shaft Parts to assemble low pressure steam engine, standard PTO shaft. (Maybe Stirling engine) Parts to assemble small generator or motor (copper wire wound into coils inside glass rotor/armature). Parts to make several kinds of pumps Rainwater collection system (gutters, barrel, etc) ...gutters should Lego connect Plumbing things and parts to make them (sink, toilet, pipes) Water filtration system kit (Small tower, tank on top, gravity feeds through filtration barrel, ends in clean water barrel, has place to attach pump) Solar distillation device Sundry household goods (cups, bowls, plates, forks, spoons, knives etc) Sundry lab glassware and equipment Semi-automatic chemical production kit... would combine water filtration concept with various valves that triggered on temperature, pressure or specific gravity of fluid in them. Would be designed to make just one thing... but put ingredients in pots at top, put fire in appropriate heating pots, and leave it alone and it'll make X. Works for things like sulfuric acid, potassium nitrate, salts, etc. 5mm x 15mm dense glass (obsidian) very sharp cylinder darts that fit in air rifle for hunting small game Barrel, trigger parts for air rifle (using copper and glass). (Need steel for piston, cylinder, resivour) A kit that has all the "mechanical" parts for another spider printer, printed in copper wire reinforced glass. Would need the electronic parts from some where else.