Week 1: Modeling Progress, Printer Issues.
Ryan T -
Hello!
Most of my literature reading revolved around reading the documentation of FreeCAD, the 3D modeling software I’m using. I spent a few hours during the weekend puzzling over how to use the Expressions feature to create models, rather than refine them — after scouring the web and YouTube, I decided to just hand-draw my math equation models rather than try to use Expressions to convert math equations into models.
On Monday, I went to the lab the first time; the building, pictured below, stood out well enough that I was able to find my way there. It is a rather comfortable building, as it’s new.
The staff, some of whom I already knew, treated me well and made me feel at home. I got to work setting up the 3D printer they had there, but I ran into several problems. The instruction manual lacked information on the levers that I needed to press to load the filament, the right extruder’s temperature sensor was broken, and the left extruder would not print, even though it could extrude filament during filament loading just fine.
On Monday and Tuesday, I spent about five to six hours working with the printer, during which I discovered several errors including the baffling discoveries that the “up” and “down” buttons were swapped and the “left” and “right” buttons were swapped. I have yet to figure out how to get this printer to work despite my best efforts.
Between tests of the 3D printer for debugging purposes, I was able to make some progress on the models.
There is a backup printer at the Virginia Tech Lab, and I might be able to get assistance through a friend’s family in getting my models printed. In the meantime, today, Wednesday, I will meet with Mr. Montcalm, a Calculus teacher, to refine my models.
Ryan Ting
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