3D Repository - Access & Information - Update: 06/01

@stubbygda posted:

i will be very interested in ur experience with the mini especially with regard to mk3. i got my mini end of october and haven’t really experienced lots of the issues others had early on but still not happy with the amount of stringing it produces. it will be great to have someone to compare with especially as i am new to the 3d printer world and not sure what to expect. maybe my expectations were too high lol.  i am sure there r some prusaslicer parameters that can help i have found a few but still not happy. at least it cleans up fairly easily.

I have a MK3S and get some stringing too. In my (somewhat limited) experience, it's more related to the print than the filament - lots of tall parts next to each other (individual pieces or parts of the same piece) will have stringing in between. There are some test prints and settings you can tweak to dial in your printer. However my advice is to purchase a heat gun and just hit the stringy prints with that after the print is complete. Total game changer!

Dennis, love the .PDF that's great

Hi, glad I ran across this. I have an Ender 3 and AnyCubic Photon. I've printed pieces as small as signal heads for N scale, to pieces to construct my 4'x8' CNC machine. I've done a lot of design work in Fusion 360, some for modeling, some for real-world items.  It's awesome to see an O scale repo being put together.  I don't want to step on anyones toes, but I see two things missing, or clarifications that need to be made with these models.

The submissions in the catalog have the person's name with the picture, however there are 2 Carl's who have contributed.  So, which Carl contributed the "Block and Dwarf Signals". Might be better to keep the member usernames there.  The other thing that is missing is a readme, or a text blurb that should go in the actual repo with each model.  Again, using the "Block and Dwarf Signals", there is no citing of what he used for the post. It would be useful to ask for such information since the model heavily depends on what piece was used there.

Other submissions such as the Bidirectional Signal by Alan, is a single STL. It probably should be broken up into separate components for printing, or a STEP file, rather than an STL should be provided so a user can perform more manipulation to split it apart themselves.  It was also seem that parts of that model could only be printed using a resin printer, based on how the parts and orientations are, using the arm with signal head attached as an example.

I'd make sure as people submit models that they have to describe how it's printed (if it's not obvious), and what other components must be used if they aren't included in the STL packages themselves.

If you need any help, feel free to reach out, I do the 3d printing and design stuff in my spare time, but Linux admin on servers, and web design is my primary job function these days.

Alan Here: I did break up the signal into parts; never used .step files though perhaps I should?

@AlanRail posted:

Alan Here: I did break up the signal into parts; never used .step files though perhaps I should?

Hi Alan, I like the part, but the one on the server is a single STL with all the pieces floating in it.  The biggest difference between the STL and STEP is that the STL is basically defines the vertices and surfaces and doesn’t understand the actual geometry , not something that can be edited (easily). A STEP file will define the actual geometry, how it relates and allow it to be pulled apart, remixed, or whatever in programs like Fusion 360 or whatever. Easier than supplying the actual CAD file.

i use Rhino 6 that has export to .step option. so not hard to have that file type as part pf the repository,

However its up to Dennis.

We have encouraged folks to include .stp files with their .stl(s) both in posts in threads and in the *Best Practices* .doc which is in the Repository along side the Catalog.  There are 98 .stp files in the Repository with their associated .stl(s).  We certainly haven't deleted or discouraged anyone from providing STEP files.

Please!!!  By all means, provide STEP(s) with your .STL(s)... they are Welcomed and Encouraged!!!

The easier that we can make this for the end user... especially for the beginner ...the better.  We are all teachers.  The best we can do for our hobby is share our experiences and knowledge.

STEP/.stp:  STEP is a file extension for a 3-D graphic file used by CAD software. STP stands for Standard for the Exchange of Product model data. STP files are used to store 3D image data in an ASCII format, following the standards defined in ISO 10303-21 : Clear Text Encoding of the Exchange Structure.

Nice, thank you

Both links are working for me.

That's because you are AWESOME Bill!

I should have this moved out of my house next year... These Links are good until January 1, 2024.

It's probably been close to a year since I've touched the functionality other than to add files or fire up the generators.  It was still in a sort of test mode with a number of downloads expiration. When you get to be my age you might kind of forget to go back and correct things that you had intended to fix. 

My apologies.

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

My apologies.

No apology necessary Dennis, you're doing this as a free service!

When it's FREE, I TAKE TWO.

I have a question about contributing.

I’ve wanted a ballast spreader and found one on thingverse I believe and printed it. I quickly found that it didn’t fit my needs and wouldn’t do what I wanted.

I’ve modified it on tinkercad numerous times and am currently printing my 4th version of it. When I finally get it the way I want it and doing what I need it to do I would like to share it, but it’s technically not my base design and I wouldn’t want to basically plagiarize whoever the original designer is.

What would be the best and basically most morally correct way to share it? That is, if I’m ever truly happy with it. I know they are cheap to buy but it’s been fun messing with it and seeing it come to life.

there are two rights to consider 1) Patent and 2) Copyright.

If the original is patented, then your modification may violate the original owners patent rights; Can't help you without reading the patent. If it was patented the photos must say so and provide the patent number(s) or say "patent pending." To be patent-able the design must be unique and not violate any others' patent or is something that is NOT already existing in the art. (of ballast spreaders} If it is patented, within the patent life you may not make, use or sell.

As to a copyright, you don't need to say anything. A copyright is a unique interpretation of an idea fixed in a medium. So, the idea of a ballast spreader is not copyrightable.

The infringement question to ask is two-fold:

First, is the existing design unique meaning is it copyrightable or not? A lot of these spreaders I have seen are fairly similar.

Second question to ask is whether your modification to the existing interpretation was developed without seeing that interpretation. It sounds like you modified the existing design.

Thank you.

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

Update: 01/31 3:57pm... Catalog updated  (docx & .pdf)

*109 Print Ready Items* are now available.

Please, help guide other members to this thread for Access & Information about the Repository.  Thank You!

First I would like to think all the more talented people creating the items to print. I was wondering if there was any way to get boms for some the listed items in the catalog. Like the signals there is a tube 4x250mm I believe not listed in the catalog.  BOMS the for the different buildings would be great.

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

Update: 01/31 3:57pm... Catalog updated  (docx & .pdf)

*109 Print Ready Items* are now available.

Please, help guide other members to this thread for Access & Information about the Repository.  Thank You!

FYI: I have Ladle hooks available as well.  They're not exported to stl at this time but I'm sure I can spare some time to do so.

Not new to the forum, but new to 3D printing.  Just built a Prusa kit and got it working and am now a 3D printing maniac.

The repository is fantastic.  Some very good quality work by the forum members involved.  What a great resource.

Thank you to all involved.

Bill