“Handling” Hot Build Surfaces

photoSo when you use a silicone platform for the heated build stage, the heat doesn’t go all the way to the edges and corners of the stage (the material’s low conductivity which protects you from the 3 A electricity flowing is also the property that inhibits heat conduction laterally). This has a disadvantage in that effective build surface area is decreased, but a minor perk is that you can handle the stage with your hands by holding at the corners.

So tonight we realized that the 4″ putty knife we had been using to scrape off objects from the makerbot build platform was actually perfect for addressing BOTH of these problems. We put the putty knife between the heat and the build surface… The metal surface conducts the heat evenly to about 80% of the build surface now. So how do you pick up this hot stage? A huge bonus is that even though the stage is now too hot to hold at the edges, we have a sturdy handle that doesn’t interfere with printing!

MakerBot Workshop #2

photoThe MakerBot workshop is happening right here at Hive76, starring MakerBot co-founder Zack Hoeken.  The class is Saturday September 19th, from 1PM to 5PM. You just need to show up on time, and with a laptop, and we do the rest. We’ll teach you everything you need to do a first design, and a first printing using the MakerBot. Tickets  for the 4 hours class are $25 (or $5 for students).

**BONUS: If you were a MakerBot Donor you will get a discount code for this class emailed to you. Thanks again!**

3D printing workshops in Philly

Hot on the tail of The Fab Show, EKG has been hitting the bricks, and working to get art into people’s hands.  The Fab Show (which is still running at their gallery at The Science Center) was a show of 3D printing technology, and rapid prototyping.  I think the fancy term was “Modern DIY Vernacular”.   Seeing how nifty the show was, they’ve arranged printing workshops for the Fab@Home and the MakerBot 3D printers for right here in Philly.

MakerBot Printing Workshop:

This workshop I do know about.  The MakerBot workshop is happening right here at Hive 76, starring MakerBot founder Zack Hoeken.  The class is Saturday June 20th, from 1PM to 5PM. You just need to show up on time, and with a laptop, and we do the rest. We’ll teach you everything you need to do a first design, and a first printing using the MakerBot. Tickets  for the 4 hours class are $25 (or $5 for students).

Fab@Home Printing Workshop

I don’t have much detail on this one, and I’ll fill it in when I do. I do know it’ll be the night of June 17th from 6PM to 8PM, and it will be with Fab@Home founder, Evan Malone.

3D printer vs 3D printer? Project founder vs Project founder?  Seriously folks,  that is just awesome.