Converting the E3D Tool Changer to Duet 3 with Hemera Tools (Part 1)

Posted on March 2, 2020 by davidcrocker

The E3D Tool Changer is a versatile platform for multi-material 3d printing, laser cutting/engraving, and associated techniques requiring a stable XYZ motion system. Although it is also available with fewer tools or no tools, the common configuration is four 3D printing heads using Titan extruders and 780mm Bowden tubes. It is generally recognised that direct-drive print heads can deliver better print quality than heads using long Bowden tubes, and the Titans are not as good as some competing extruders. So the arrival of the E3D Hemera direct drive extruder provides an interesting upgrade path for the Tool Changer. Continue reading →

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Using exceptions in C++ embedded software

Posted on December 27, 2019 by davidcrocker

For several years I have been the lead developer of RepRapFirmware, which is firmware for 3D printers running ARM Cortex processors. Until recently I saw no compelling reason to use exceptions, so I compiled the firmware with gcc options -fno-exceptions -fno-rtti in order to keep the code small. Continue reading →

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Dangerous failures

Posted on December 21, 2019 by davidcrocker

Sometimes, equipment that is supposed to be designed with safety in mind turns out to be unsafe. Here’s an example I came across a few years ago: a mains-powered smoke alarm installed in a top-floor flat: Continue reading →

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Switching from Sage 50 to Xero Accounting Software

Posted on February 17, 2019 by davidcrocker

For once, here is a non-technical post from me. I’ll describe my experiences of changing from Sage 50 to Xero accounting software. In particular I’ll highlight a number of pitfalls that you might wish to be aware of prior to switching to Xero.

Continue reading →

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Improving the Robotdigg SCARA printer

Posted on September 24, 2017 by davidcrocker

In the first post in this series I described how I strengthened the bad T-frame of the printer and added adjustable levelling feet. These improvements made it possible to produce prints. The conversion to Duet electronics described in my second post improved print quality and provided faster print speed. However, the large amount of backlash in the distal arm joint drive remained, along with the lesser but still serious backlash in the proximal joint drive. If I was ever to get good prints from this printer, the backlash in both joints would need to be addressed. Continue reading →

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Converting the Robotdigg SCARA printer to Duet electronics

Posted on August 27, 2017 by davidcrocker

In my previous post I described the Robotdigg SCARA Arm 3D printer in its original form. This post covers the conversion to Duet Ethernet electronics. It may seem odd to use top-of-the range electronics with budget mechanics, and I am not suggesting that it would make sense for other owners of this printer. In my case it made sense because I needed a test bed for testing and maintaining SCARA support in RepRapFirmware, the firmware that runs on the Duets. Continue reading →

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Testing the Robotdigg SCARA Arm 3D printer

Posted on August 9, 2017 by davidcrocker

A colleague spotted this Robotdigg SCARA Arm 3D Printer which sells at just US$280 + shipping and import VAT. As I was working on SCARA printer support in RepRapFirmware, this seemed an ideal low-cost platform to test it on. So we bought one.

In this blog entry, I describe my experiences with this printer as it arrived and what I needed to do before I could try printing with it. A subsequent entry will describe the conversion to Duet Ethernet electronics. Continue reading →

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Time to rebuild my large Kossel

Posted on March 22, 2017 by davidcrocker

It’s more than a year and a half since I published my large Kossel build blog entry. Since then I have upgraded it many times. Several people have built 3D printers based on this design, and some have asked for a more complete bill of materials. So I decided to create a page on this printer as it is now, including yet more upgrades. Continue reading →

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More Delta Printer upgrades: WiFi and Silence!

Posted on June 25, 2016 by davidcrocker

Some of you may already know that I have been working on a new version of the Duet 3D printer electronics. The new board is called the Duet WiFi, and it a joint venture between my own company Escher3D and Think3DPrint3D. The first pre-production board arrived a few days ago. After bench testing it, the time came to install it in a 3D printer. I chose to install it in my delta printer, which is more demanding of the electronics than my Ormerod. Continue reading →

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Print bed surface roundup

Posted on November 30, 2015 by davidcrocker

This time I will discuss the various print surfaces I have used and my experiences with them. Your results may differ. Continue reading →

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