OutPut

June 20, 2024October 21, 2024

TPU Post Processing

Testing, Slicer Settings, Heat and Bed Adhesion

TPU Action – Post Processing

Sprite Printing, TPU Post Processing Action

Max Neo Upgrades: Post Process Part of the TPU Action Series

Now, let’s discuss the ‘post process’ or TPU Post Processing after completing the physical upgrade of the Max Neo 3D Printer.

Moving on to the exciting part, we will delve into the settings, the testing process post-upgrade, and the outcomes of our efforts. As a sneak peek, we will explore the new ‘refurbed Max Neo’ (second machine), including its unboxing, post-setup testing, and transition to PETG filament for creating ‘usable’ or functional parts. All of this and more will be covered in our next article. So, we have addressed the reason behind the upgrade, which is primarily to enhance quality. Improving the quality issues has been and continues to be the main motivation for this upgrade. Additionally, the parts we have acquired for the upgrades aim to increase our success rate when using TPU filaments. Now, let’s get into the testing process.

Downloads: Firmware, Slicers, Web Apps and more:

Creality Links Suggestions (links removed if blocked, do a search for the following in that cause)
Creality Wiki
Ender 3 Max Neo: Product Firmware and Slicer
Sprite Pro Extruder: Sprite Extruder Pro
Creality Motherboard: Motherboard Firmware v4.2.7
Ecosystem – Sonic Pad: Creality Sonic Pad

Make Your Own Printables –
Creality Cloud (newer printers): Cloud 3d Printer Management
Tinkercad

Settings, Printables: Pre-made Royalty/Royalty-Free –
All3dp Slicer Settings: All 3DP Settings
All3dp Support: All 3DP Support Settings
printables.com/model
Thingiverse
Cults3d

Let’s Test, Power On The Machine and Go

Earlier we discussed the hardware upgrades and software required for the motherboard. Now, the real test begins… (drum roll please). Sharing the 40,000 foot view, we can cover slicer settings, quality improvements and how the machine is running TPU today. Ultimately, we will cover the TPU Post Processing steps at a higher level here, while providing detailed specifics in a stand alone feature article. Perhaps, we will cover each setting and how it affects print quality overall. So, we have completed the teardown, upgrade, and rebuild activities. Ready the machine, perform pre-launch checks, ensure all connections are properly seated, motor connectors and belts are connected and plug it in. Toggle the power switch ‘on’ and start making stuff. TPU Post Processing is a go!

Starting with PLA first, after upgrades, the out-of-the-box settings are fairly accurate. A generous e-step setting (e-step refers to the distance the direct drive will push the material into the extruder heating element is recommended. Lesson one learned: a tight fit, or concise grouping of slicer, motherboard/motherboard software and direct drive extruder can improve the quality of TPU prints.

Creality Ecosystem and TPU Processing

Keep in mind, the ‘ecosystem’ described above, works to apply the correct pressure, volume of materials, heat and adhesion for TPU filament as it passes through the direct drive extruder. Continuing on, each subsequent print and setting tweak can improve the target goals forming a quality print. Beare in mind, we are looking for improvement round-over-round of testing, inching us closer to a seamless print. PLA is fairly easy to work with and can run OOB (out-of-box) with OOB settings. Despite mismatched hardware flaws from previous builds, this new hardware runs the latest firmware logics, producing orderly prints. Additionally, with each print, make sure the printer has been leveled, aligned and bed plate cleaned. The goal is high quality TPU prints, creating that ‘happy path’.

Logically speaking, when moving through baseline testing, it is important to reduce flaws and misprints. In our case, this involves establishing a new baseline measurement of quality. The baseline serves as a guide for what to expect when using an out-of-the-box (OOTB) solution for PLA manufacturing or hobby printing. The goal is to eliminate flaws, blips and globs that can occur during the printing process. This article assumes that the machine purchased is shipped with necessary parts and that these parts are properly installed either installed either by the retailer or supply house.

Take a breather, you deserve it. it’s a nice feeling to complete the build. The easy part, for all intense and purposes is now over.

Build On Upgrade Successes

Generally speaking, machines come with a MicroSD card with some preinstalled printables, in our case Boaty and Bunny. These test prints will help test pre-sliced builds, slicer tests (more calibration tests) such as adhesion, temperature, flowrate, etc. The timeframe for testing effort covers more than 2 weeks (time-lapsed, of course) of work. In between coding and other work, that ‘happy path’ quickly moved us from basic PLA calibration and testing to minimal adhesion issues. PLA blips were corrected with filament flow changes, an increase in temperature at the extruder tip and reduction of heat at the bed. Note, turn fans off. Fans or cooling filament, TPU and PETG require high temps for optimal extrusion and bed adhesion. Bed plate temps vary depending on filament type, but note that cooling the filament is out of scope. It’s more of a hassle and does more harm than good.

If I haven’t explicitly state this in my previous articles, simply removing the fans or programmatically turning them off at the slicer helps maintain higher quality prints day over day. During the Bowden to Direct Drive conversion, the fans were removed for the formal TPU run. They were also nerf’ed for this build, as the quality print quality over consecutive prints is not sufficient for an ideal manufacturing process with 10 or more prints. A better solution to note here, reduce fan power (or turn them off) as TPU and PETG are finicky filaments.

Reduced Filament Heat, Not Good For Business

Simply reducing heat is not enough, the cooling process can actually lead to poor bed adhesion issues, which we will address. However, our main focus is on eliminating any shipping or physical/hardware issues that may arise during the startup process and initial PLA prints. When it comes to PLA testing, we need to answer the following questions: Did we install the parts correctly? Does the filament passthrough the extruder smoothly? Are any anomalies in the prints due to hardware or software issues or are they the new norm? In simple terms, does the machine and all it’s parts function as expected? The answer should be yes! Below, we have outlined the steps to ensure everything is working properly. Additional text and images will be included to provide further clarification for those who need visual aids, so stay tuned!

Post Upgrades, PLA Settings and Prints

At Rest

First Print

Cylinder Test

Case Test

Camera (Webcam)

TPU Print

TPU Print Second View

Clean Up

Adhesion Problems

Filament Weight

Midnight Run

Smart Pad Crash

Sticking with moderate sized prints for larger sizes, the Max Neo is the largest bed plate available, quality, clean up effort and repeatability are all key factors in successful 3D printing. As they say, all’s well that ends well. Initially, PLA filaments ran smoothly, but bed adhesion issues arose when transitioning to TPU filaments, becoming a sore spot. It seems that all good things must come to an end (but we carry on). Work is ongoing, with bed adhesion remaining a concern. Test are ongoing as we search for the optimal TPU printing environment including machine settings, bed adhesion plates, temperatures, printing speed, e-steps, etc.

What has helped here is assuming users are using quality TPU filaments and a quality bed plate (textured or smooth) glass. Simple school glues, spray adhesives, and/or painter’s tape can quickly correct adhesion issues. Later on, we switched to using the Creality PEI bed plate and school glue for TPU and PETG prints, eliminating the need additional adhesives and their associated costs. Below, you will find a few of our successful prints, as well as some disasters, including late-night smartphone case print cycles and the decision to incorporate the new PEI bed surface.

Bed Adhesion, Sonic Pad Swap, TPU Settings Rollout

Duramic Run

Skewed Results

Stop The Press

TPU Run

Prep Surface

Peel PEI Surface

Bed Film Placed

Bed Ready

Adhesion crisis averted, we can now delve into the new Creality V4.6 Slicer. Download it now if you can or choose to do so. The slicer comes packed full of new mix settings and reliable ‘custom’ settings that we use during the transition from PLA to TPU. Custom filament tweaks on the slicer get the job done. These settings serve as the gate approval system, easily covering baseline testing and PLA-to-TPU mashups. It’s important to note that the slicer is crucial, along with the other hardware and software elements included in this build.

Ultimately, upon reflection, I believe this is where the success of this build truly shines. The success of TPU Post Processing depends on the slicer, its customization and support settings. Moving forward, despite previous builds having only moderate success, the new Slicer is excellent and quite serviceable. I must mention the failures of the Sonic Pad here – we have decided to forgo the Sonic Pad for now and instead opt for the Wifi 2.0 boxes or manual printing using the Max Neo MicroSD and LCD interfaces at the machine. Honestly, it’s the build ecosystem the firmware, slicer, motherboard, and Sprite Pro extruder that has allowed us to achieve a level of quality that we were unable to attain in the previous builds. More on this will be discussed in another article.

Accessories, Bed Adhesion and Latest Settings

Moving on from the slicer settings and Sonic Pad issues, I decided to use the Wifi Box 2.0, with latest firmware to improve creature comfort while printing. This allows me to print from a seated position at my desk eliminating the need to constantly go back and forth between my desk and the printer for tasks like creation, slicing, MicroSD management, and selecting print. Additionally, I added a camera to work as a webcam, enabling me to print untethered or engage in hobby-level production. This upgrade can be likened to a ‘power up’ in Super Mario Bros. providing enhanced functionality. The upgraded webcam allows for seamless printing from the slicer to the printer using the Wifi Box.

We will address the challenges of using a Wyze webcam in a separate article. This article will provide a step-by-step guide for converting your camera. We will also include videos and the best guides to follow when converting your Wyze camera to a webcam. In conclusion, Wyze offers an affordable alternative to other webcams on the market. By using a simple fix, developer-built code, and easy button combinations, you can easily convert your Wyze camera into a webcam. Now, let’s move on to TPU prints.

Various TPU Filaments, Smartphone Case Tests, Clean Up

Grey Duramic

Grey Case

Parts At Once

Creality TPU

TPU Objects

TPU Container

Tertiary Case

TPU Cleanup

Legacy Case

Cleaned Up

TPU Comparison

Production Variation

Thirdly, let’s discuss adhesion. As as we progress through TPU testing or post processing, PLA and TPU prints have ‘adhesion issues such as peeling or damage that appears to be caused by severe temperature changes. This is a good opportunity to address adhesion settings. Balancing bed temp and extrusion temperature is an ongoing testing process that you will become very familiar with when working with 3D print production. Think of it as a blend of art and science when working with 3D printers, printables and open source or custom designs.

Overall, if you don’t pay attention to adhesion and temperatures, things can quickly become difficult, especially with production variations using TPU filaments and even more so with PETG filaments. It’s important to maintain control, and a small amount of adhesive can make a big difference. With the upgraded motherboard, extruder, PEI build plate, and proper adhesion using school glue, you can have better control. Pay attention to settings, especially when it comes to support (use a generous amount for support at the plate) and bed plate adhesion like using the raft selection.

Temperature Improvements and Optimal Settings

Ideal or optimal slicer settings work to complement a brim/auto brim or raft adhesion type. With the addition of what has been tested to be the best bed adhesion type… temps at 250 degrees, bed at 0 degrees, (fan at 0) and speed at 50%. Three products were tested: heavy strength spray adhesive, painters tape and simple school glue. Testing suggestions, again, not required, but more as a release agent. Now, the opposite can be said for PETG, which we will cover in another article. Those settings are still being worked out. As you can imagine, working through the TPU settings took about ~2 weeks of effort, PETG has a much longer testing effort.

Today, we have gathered and processed with what may be the optimal TPU Slicer settings. A new camera position, guided by fewer misprints in our testing efforts, has been implemented to reduce production flaws like blips, or globs, traveling over the print. We have managed to nail down or complete what feels like the final tweaks for TPU printables. Therefore, before we introduce PETG (which can be challenging on its own), we have minimized difficulties and ensured high quality. Before we transition away from TPU, I would like to highlight both the successes and failures in achieving quality. We are gradually transitioning from hardware/software upgrades to different filament types such as PLA, TPU, and now PETG. We are exploring factors such as heat, bed temperature, support and bed adhesion methods.

Wrap up and Conclusion

PETG filaments introduce a range of new adhesion issues, making clean up a nightmare. Additionally, while the quality of prints has improved in terms of smoothness and clarity, all prints require some form of ‘final processing’ or deburring. To build on the success of TPU printing, we have invested in additional tools such as Klein Tools Flush Cutters and AFA Deburring Tool Set. These purchases aim to enhance post-print output, with the goal of significantly improving final production or shippable pieces with typical manufacturing process (design, construction, production, shipping).

Finally, at the end here, we touched on the TPU Post Processing setup. Let’s share some more images for those who enjoy visuals, think of it as a snapshot of ‘where we are today’… one click printing, high quality prints, replicable from PLA to PETG, camera, and wifi box 2.0. Let’s cover the initial PLA testing, the TPU filament torture test (array), and final print slicer/WiFi Box settings on the next episode of TPU Action!

Slicer Tweaks, Latest Prints

Web Cam

Test Builds

New TPU Filament

Matching Tool Station

WiFi 2.0 Box

Dual WiFi Boxes running multiple machines

Matching WiFi Box

Full Setup

Revisit previous posts in this series which cover the new filament spool upgrade, upgradable parts such as hardware, accessories, filament and current pricing. All of these items can be found on the Shopping List. Alternatively, you can read about the upgrade process and the successes achieved along the way.

June 16, 2024September 27, 2024

TPU Upgrade Process

Rebuild, Direct Drive, Build Plate and Tech Upgrades

TPU Action – Upgrade Process

Max Neo Upgrades: The Upgrade Process, Part of the TPU Action Series

Now, let’s discuss the Creality Max Neo 3D Printer Upgrade – unboxing, teardown, install of upgrade parts. Our goal is to improve TPU scalability and production quality. As a side note, we received a refurbished Max Neo and will cover the PETG settings and troubleshooting process in our next article.

We have already discussed the reasons for upgrading the parts and quality benefits it brings. We have purchased the necessary parts for the updates to increase our success rates. Now, let’s move on to the physical upgrade.

Unbox Upgrades

Let’s get started, shall we? We have got our boxes and can officially begin the TPU Upgrade process. All parts have been unboxed, including the new extruder with direct drive that features an easy-to-install quick connect with locks on the print head. Additionally, we have the rail cart for bolting the extruder to the rail and powering it with the axis motors. Next, we have the new silent motherboard, which is necessary for installing the Creality Sprite Extruder Pro kit. Secondly, we have the new bed plate ready to go. Once the process is complete, we will test the machine first without the upgrade and then with it to ensure everything is printing smoothly.

Unbox Parts, Printer Teardown and Disassembly References

Motherboard v4.2.7

WiFi Box 2.0

Sprite Extruder Pro Kit

Sprite Extruder Pro

Power Down

Unplug

Prep Screen & Unplug

Disconnect Motors

Starting the TPU upgrade process? Let’s begin by removing all power cords. If you have a Wifi 2.0 Box or Sonic Pad, those should also be powered down and their cords removed. I prefer to start fresh with no cords. Now, we have our tech tools. I will post a link to the shopping list following this post. If you have the original set of tools provided by Creality at purchase, those will work just fine.

Begin Teardown, Be Careful and Take Your Time

Let’s dismantle the printer by taking apart the extruder and the extruder rail cart. After removing a few bolts, we should have the printing area cleared. It’s worth noting that this particular printer has previously been upgraded making the direct drive easily accessible. For more information on the original direct drive build you can refer to the Ender Teardown, Rebuild – 5 Part Series. In the series, you will see the filament being removed, power cables unclipped, e-touch and cable connections from the extruder to the board, bolts being removed, cart being taken out, and extruder being detached. The printing area should now be free of extruder parts and the rail cart

Look around the 3D printer frame, specifically the drivers, those should be unclipped as well. I also like to disconnect the screen here. There is a clip on the back: the ribbon connector can be unclipped and set aside. Now, gently lift and turn the machine clockwise, placing the machine on its right side or screen side (which has been removed for this exact reason).

The top screw does not need to be removed here; it is one of 4 or 5 screws that hold the motherboard to the base Start by unscrewing the right-hand side first (motherboard side), being careful to unplug the 0.10 A computer fan clip, and then move on to the left side (power side). Ribbons, cords, and wires of various shades and colors may have shifted around a bit, especially in this case, as the printer was previously upgraded. Therefore, electrical wires or shield tape may be wound tightly. Be gentle with the cover screws, as they will be used again in approximately 15 – 30 minutes.

Unbox and Preparation

Motherboard v4.2.7

WiFi Box 2.0

Sprite Extruder Pro Kit

Sprite Extruder Pro

Power Down

Unplug

Prep Screen & Unplug

Disconnect Motors

Take a look around, assume if you have tilted the machine clockwise on it’s side by roughly 90 degrees and removed the screws. On the left, we are examining power management, and on the right, control.

Equally important, a visual inspection will reveal hot glue on all or most of the motherboard connectors, depending on the condition of the machine.

If the machine is new or refurbished, hot glue is common, so don’t be alarmed!

This is to be expected for Creality machines. We will begin removing the glue using a spudger, hemostats and/or gloved hand. In this process, we start from right to left, starting with the screen connector (rainbow ribbon), the top connector marked GV IN G OUT, the mini two-wire connectors (grey and the black axis wires), the fan wires (yellow and blue), and the red, yellow and black harness. Ignore the power wires for now, we will be address those in the third step. Next, we will move to the top of the board to disconnect the X, Y, Z and E black wire harnesses. You’re almost there, you can do this!

Disassemble Extruder and Motherboard

Internal Fan

Unscrew Power Cover

Power Unit

Unscrew Housing

Motherboard

Hot Glue Removal

Start Right-to-left

Disconnect Cables

Fans & Power

Disconnect Power

All Connections

Remove Board

Let’s move on to the green locks next. Using a flat head screwdriver, start from right to left to unscrew and remove the red and black wires. Voila! We are now 50% complete. The glue removal process usually takes the longest, making it challenging to navigate the board space. Let’s unscrew the board from the frame (unscrew the two bolts on the front), leaving the last screw on the top, removing the top from the frame. Unscrew the motherboard and set it aside for safekeeping or for use in another refurbished printer in the future. Take a moment to check around the frame, organize the screws and bolts (I recommend using a piece of paper and a Sharpie). Draw a box label it, and tape the hardware screws securely.

Motherboard and Extruder Installation

Straightaway, let’s start by removing the new motherboard from its package, if you have not already done so, and placing it into the motherboard (control) space. Additionally, make sure to safely connect the USB and MicroSD connectors on the board first, then align the board with the appropriate screw mounts on the board. Once the screws are in place, the board should sit firmly in place, secured and ready to go!

Reassemble 3D Printer, Upgrade Reference

Attach New Board

Left-to-right

+ and –

Fans and Motors

Upper Cables

Seat Cables

Okay, in reverse, the TPU Upgrade process continues with the new Sprite Extruder raw wire ends. Start by securing the green motherboard locks first, moving from left to right. The power from the power unit should be on the side of the board, with alternative red/back wires. Make sure to read the labels to ensure the correct landing spot for those power wires. Next, connect the yellow/blue fan and the red, yellow, and black wires just below the fan connector. Moving right replace the x-, y- , z-, TB, TH, and GV IN G OUT connections. Now, connect the screen ribbon. Double-check all fittings and secure the green locks on the board to ensure a snug fit.

Finally, when working on the motherboard, let’s replace the screws on the power unit side carefully. Run the wires through the notched metal railing and secure the front bolts for the control cover, bottom screws, and the top screws. This is a critical area where you must exercise caution, as the cables can easily break. Take your time here.

Post Installation Checks, Screws, Belts and More

Continuing on, secure the Pro Extruder Kit. Lift, turn, and place the printer in its center. All wires, ribbons and connectors are ready for the new drive. Next, install the extruder and fit it to the assembly cart. Thirdly, connect the e-touch ribbon cable, seat the cable so that is snug. Fourthly, seat the red hot wire creating a connection between the hot end and the extruder. It may have a tight fit, so now is the time to place the wire while the extruder is loose on the cart. Secure the extruder to the cart mounting point by placing the screws and tightening them down. Moreover, ensure a secure and tight connection, firmly setting the drive in place!

Next, if you machine has an E-touch, screw it to the provided mounting hardware. Ensure a good fit by checking the orientation and making sure the extruder card fits snug on the rail. Securely attach the axis cables or rubber power drive belts. The belts slides into place on the backside of the assembly cart). This should be loose from the if dismantling process. Firmly, attach axis cables, or rubber power drive belts. Undoubtedly, the belts slide into place (two slots cut out on the assembly cart) on the backside, if you remember during the teardown process. Next, loosen the X/Y axis drive belts using the red knobs, one on the front and the other on the right side. Now, tighten those knobs by turning them clockwise to apply tension to the belts and cart.

Extruder, Power On and Level

Seat Extruder

Power On

Hone & Level

Replace drive connectors, which are key for stable linear and vertical movement. Reference tags will indicate connectors for controlling the x and y drive motors. Install the extruder ribbon by tucking it behind the two black plastic static tabs located just above the connector saddle and ribbon locks.

Now the real test begins… the TPU Upgrade process continues to the next round! The series progresses, read more about TPU Post Processing or go back to the beginning with TPU Action. Finally, we will cover the initial settings, slicer, accessories and final settings in the next installment, so stick around. If you’re new to the series you can revisit upgrade parts on our affiliate shopping area and review pricing, upgraded hardware reviews, accessories and filament essential for this build. Alternatively, you can skip ahead, review article upgrade parts and accessories in the series opening.

June 16, 2024September 26, 2024

Seek Improvements Together

Sharpen Your Focus

In A Bind, Search For Solutions With Us. Find Foundational Support, An Innovative Method and Approach to Business Marketing and SEO

Sallee Technology llc Ads - See Beyond, Innovative Methodology and Approach to Marketing and SEO

Adverts – The Value Of Business Marketing and SEO

Eyes Down Range; Vision to See Risk and Opportunity.

Seek Improvements Together… Find the right solution, help to eliminate customer unknowns, define what you can control, actively work on the most valuable activities, improve multi-functional business groups, marketing, branding and increase singular or multiple revenue streams and more.

Keep It Simple

You’ve heard of the acronym KISS – ‘Keep It Simple Stupid’. We’ve tweaked it a bit to read ‘keep it simple’. Yes, some of the most complex machinery or electronic devices make money such as computers, smartphones, dozers, carts etc. However, looking back there were simpler forms or designs of those items we have today. Simplicity holds intrinsic value, not just on the sales floor or stockyards. Complicated doesn’t necessarily mean complex. Simple solutions can help identify new ways for your business to add customer value and create customer loyalty. A team might find a competitive advantage by using comparative marketing analysis, utilizing the same people to identify competitive gaps or areas of improvement that might go unchecked. Your team of experts can help identify strengths, weaknesses, additional revenue opportunities all while seeking to mitigate of long-term business problems or risks.

Seek improvements together, seek growth together, seek answers together. Learn and master the art of Hypothesize, Learn, Apply & Test. Learn more about our Business Strategy and Methodology to make successful long-term business changes.

June 14, 2024September 27, 2024

GTRacing Mesh

Mesh Back, Ergo Support, Full Recline and Leg Support

GTRacing Mesh

New GTRacing Ergonomic Gaming Chair Black/Black Mesh Back

Relax in the new GTRacing Mesh Back Ergonomic Gaming Chair, which features a reclining mesh back, footrest, adjustable headrest, and lumbar support. This chair is a great option for those looking for a big and tall chair at little to no additional cost.

Purchase Your Own GTRacing Chair

Get the ‘black/black’ GTRacing Chair for your office, home office, maker-space or game room today! We were fortunate to inherit the previously gently used maker-space GTRacing chair, which will now live on in the gamer-space, alongside the PS5, featuring Logitech racing peripherals such as wheel, shifter, pedal pad and racing wheel stand. Meanwhile, the new GTRacing Ergonomic Mesh back chair will handle the heavy lifting as the daily driver.

This flexible, lightweight gaming chair is sure to keep you comfortable. Stable and cool, it’s ideal for those summer months. Lounge in luxury throughout the workday while maintaining a positive ergonomic body positioning. We’re looking at you, late night gamers, makers and nighttime creators. Spending long hours in a chair can be grueling, and for some, it’s a requirement depending on the type of work per se.

To all you makers, gamers, and influencers out there, if you’re a hobbyist of a kind, choose GTRacing. We’ve had great luck with GTRacing Chair Updates, and Office Furniture, see previous commentary and reviews… ironically, we covered the first GTRacing Gaming Chair purchased and a service warranty issue that was quickly resolved by GTRacing Co. The chair has maintained its comfort over its lifetime here in the office. Now, with a little tongue-in-cheek humor, the new GTRacing Mesh Back will be the primary office chair, while the ‘gently used’ one is saved for gaming. It’s a win-win all around.

Ultimately, we chose another GTRacing chair for it’s comfort, flexibility, and now the fresh mesh back. You have to stay cool and breezy with the GTRacing Mesh Back gaming chair. Additionally, one product enhancement is that both armrests remain connected. They pivot with the chair as it reclines maintaining a similar position and height of the arms. This is handy when the chair is in ‘sport-mode’.

Pick out a GTRacing Mesh Back Gaming Chair Today.

June 13, 2024September 27, 2024

TPU Upgrade Action

Full Install, System Inspection and Testing

TPU(Thermoplastic Polyurethane) Action – Sprite Extruder, Motherboard and Prints In Flight

TinkerCad Design - TPU Box with compartments

Max Neo Upgrades: The Parts, the pain and TPU Series

Covering TPU Action, starting with the removal, adding modifications, clean-up effort, settings for successful prints and final production.

Why Upgrade, Pieces and Parts

Let’s start with the why. Why upgrade your Max Neo board, extruder etc.? The easy answer is successful TPU prints. Prints of high quality, with low errors (blips and globs), working usable prints and again, TPU. How long did the upgrades take, i.e. duration, to upgrade the required parts for successful prints? In short, the installation took 30 – 60 minutes, with tweaks taking an additional 2 weeks. The time to achieve successful and consistent prints was 2.5 weeks. This includes time for troubleshooting, adding/removing parts, multiple test prints (which might slightly affect the duration), and finalizing print settings within the Creality Slicer.

Slicer and Pre-Print Preview

Tinkercad Design

Creality Slicer 4.3.8

Slicer Pre-Build

If you have not checked out TINKERCAD yet, please do. This is where my drawings, ideas and digital designs come to life. It’s a web based application, specifically CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, used in the maker space and ideally in the global manufacturing industry. Tinkercad allows tinkers, students, and teachers to quickly learn, build and create in a simplified AutoCad environment. Tinkercad is like the younger sibling of AutoCad by AutoDesk. This web-based application is part of the AutoDesk software family which includes Fusion360, AutoCad, TinkerCad, and more. The point here is simple: if you’re looking for fun, easy-to-use CAD program, give Tinkercad a try. It’s free to sign up and create 3D designs, circuits and code blocks. It’s a very cool, fun, and free way to learn something new for #makers.

Next, let’s discuss the cost. It may be helpful to share the components that were included in this upgrade session – TPU Update. The parts are as follows, or you can skip ahead to the upgrade process in the second post of this series. Below, we will cover the parts list, Creality upgrades, Duramic 3D Filament and Wyze Cameras, for live video action.

Upgrade Shopping List – Electronics, Parts and Accessories

Sprite Extruder

Motherboard v4.2.7 (Required)

Bed Upgrade PEI

Digital Spool Rack

Wifi Box 2.0

Creality TPU Filament

Duramic 3d TPU Filament

Wyze Cam Pan

Wyze Cam v3

Refurbed Max Neo

June 10, 2024September 27, 2024

New 2024 Merch

Buy Sallee Technology Merch

New 2024 Merch Includes – Richardson Performance Trucker, T’s, Umbrellas and more

Gear – Hats, Nike Zip, T’s, and More

Get yourself some gear, new 2024 merch now in stock! We’ve got Sallee Technology gear featuring The Game, Zippo, Yeti, Columbia, Champion, Flex-fit and more. We are also offering, new golf umbrellas, Richardson Performance Trucker hats and T’shirts.

We have more “swag” and gear for your liking. For 2024, we’ve added new merch that we haven’t carried before such as Nike Zip Hoodies and Richardson Trucker Hats. Email me, and we will get sizes and gear out to you as soon as we can. Additionally, we have Yeti products, Reebok Zip Hoodies, Zippo Lighters, and Yeti drinkware in stock.

We’ll be releasing some quarter zips, and maybe some full zips without hoods. I think those will look nice and compliment the Columbia zip (medium weight) jackets. For those of you in cooler climates, you might consider those warm, durable Columbia full zip jackets. On the other hand, for those in warmer climates, T’shirts and sweatshirts might be more your style.

Posting in reverse order, from the current offerings, current stock –
a. Current offering below in this post – Hats, Sweatshirts, T’s and Umbrella’s
b. Original Series Yeti, Jackets, Hats
c. Second Series Yeti’s, Hats and Zippo

Available New 2024 Merch (Q2)

Richardson Trucker Hats

Richardson Trucker Front

T-Shirts

Nike Zip Hoodie

Umbrella’s

June 9, 2024September 26, 2024

Part 2 – Latest Drawing Tools

Moleskin Pads, Staedtler Instruments, Princeton, Liquitex and More

Part 2 – Pencils, Pads, Tools and More

Part 2 – Latest Drawing Tools, ‘Tools of The Trade, Markers, Pencils, Precision Tools, Erasers, Brushes, Paint Markers and More’ series

Need supplies quickly? In Part 2 – Drawing Tools, we will discuss supplies that are running low and those that have been used around the shop for the longest time. Some of these supplies have been with me for 15 years, and others for over 20 years. In previous post, we talked about the Amazon Affiliate direction. For continuity and to prepare for upcoming posts in early to mid-June about our 3D print upgrades, it’s important to have the right parts. So, let’s share the latest list of art supplies. Check out part two of our to-do list on the producer’s product page.

Part 2, Continues

In Part2 – Latest Drawing Tools we will focus less on the items mentioned above, as they are already essential in my drawing kit. However, we will discuss easels, additional brushes, and Moleskin albums or pads. The list of supplies goes on, including math sets (squares, compass, angles), sharpeners, on-the-go pads or albums, paints, paint markers, and drawing tools (mechanical) to keep on hand.

Recent Purchases, Recommendations

Moleskin – Art Watercolor Album 3.5×5.5 inch, (1 pad, 60 sheets)
Staedtler 4H Pencils – Mars Lumograph Pencils 4H (12)
Staedtler Instrument Math Set – Writing Instrument Math Set (14)
Staedler Mechanical Pencils* – Mechanical Pencils (3)
Strathmore – Sketch Pad, 8.5×11 inch, 1 pad (100 sheets)
Luxi – Sketch Book, Top Spiral, 9×12 inch, 1 pad (100 sheets)

Princeton* – Aspen Series Paint Synthetic Brushes, Acyrlic and Oil (5)
Liquitex – Marker set – Liquitex Professional Paint Marker Set, Monochromes (3)
Liquitex Markers – *Individual – Professional Paint Marker, Carbon Black (1)
Acrylic Paint BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, Tube Set (48)

More Recommendations

First, easels are a tough, rare breed of ‘kit’ to have around the shop. I’ve used desktop easels, metal easels and composites of some kind, only to come back to the Studio H. The Studio H can be found on Blick, specifically the Blick Studio Heavy-Duty H-Frame Easel, which is more importantly on wheels! I’m going to brag on this H-frame easel for a moment. While other easels can be found on Dick Blick or Utrecht, this easel is tough, agile and easy to put together. It has a nice shelf for convenient storage, where you can store additional tools, rulers, or markers, especially nice to have when using those Liquitex paint markers mentioned above. It’s easy to clean, accommodates oversized work, and sits on wheels, so maneuverability and the ‘space’ the easel consumes around the shop can be kept to a minimum.

Brushes

Next, let’s talk brushes, specifically the Princeton Catalyst Series brushes and *Golden/Utrecht acrylic paints. Occasionally, I will buy second-hand or slightly flawed brushes so that I always have the right brush for any situation. Therefore, the Princeton Catalyst and Aspen series are my go-to brushes for acrylics. I also want to mention that I consistently use Liquitex Basics-to-Advanced viscosities of paint. I stock up on Basics for commonly used colors, while opting for high-density, firm acrylics for filling, highlighting, or shadowing. It has been quite some time since I changed my paint selection, approximately 27 years ago. Regardless, easels, paints and brushes can all be found on our shopping list page. Feel free to browse those items in the cart, as they have been purchased multiple times.

In closing, we highly recommend the items listed on the shopping list, as they have been purchased more than three times over. In certain cases, such as the Liquitex paints, they have been purchased for over 27 years. Supply consumption varies, as supplies come and go. A never-ending cycle. Therefore, I like to occasionally add new items to test, place on the bench, and experiment with. It’s always important to test new supplies, versus those that are necessary for immediate purchase. Discover the supplies that best suit your needs and circumstances. Enjoy and good luck with your creative endeavors. Refer to Part One for more information.

Lastly, Keep Building Your List

Let’s end with an old saying ‘No pain, no gain’. I would venture to say. While building your supply list can be daunting and suppliers change, solving the problem of the list is the fun part. Sometimes things work out, while others should remain in the trash receptacle (or, on the never buy list). It’s part of being a consumer, which involves consumption, right? In all honesty, this part can be fun, so make it enjoyable! Turn it into a game if you choose, wheel and deal.

Before we move off of the new supplies. I don’t want to forget a few other upgrades around the office to share such as the GTRacing Mesh Back Chair a new upgrade here in the office… long awaited change, and time for the older model to be replaced with a new mesh back gaming chair. The Fisher Space Pen for you outer space fans… posted back in January 2021. Awesome pen, I use it on the road for any and all writing needs! Check back in a few weeks for updates. Items to look out for on the list include Moleskin pads or albums, and a few other goodies. Spoiler alert: there are additional 3D print upgrades, parts, and a new series just around the corner… less than a week away!

June 8, 2024September 26, 2024

Latest Drawing Tools

SHARPIE, Sakura, Ohuhu, Prismacolor and More

Illustration Kit – Pencils, Pads, Tools and More

Latest Drawing Tools, Tools of The Trade

What will it be? Markers, pencils/coloring pencils, precision liners, erasers, brushes, paint markers; need more? Come shop online with me. We can look for refills, thin-liners, chiseled markers and new additions like the Ohuhu Alcohol Markers to expand our toolkit.

Amazon Affiliate Shopping List

Let’s talk about the Amazon Affiliate Shopping list. Recently, I’ve included the option to share Amazon products as an affiliate. This allows me to share products and recommendations for items I personally purchase for the shop. In this instance, we will discuss thin-liners, markers, and line tools, in order to provide our thoughts on products you may be interested in purchasing.

Even better, think of it as a reference guide with recommendations for items that have yet to be purchased. For those who have already made selections, a bookmark could be useful to have around your work area, especially if you aspire to be a hobbyist or professional designer. Regardless, this post serves as a vehicle to promote Amazon Affiliate products via Amazon, among others. As you may have noticed, we do not heavily promote our content on social media, so the content in this first part is an effort to share our experiences with products in the market or perhaps just an exercise in futility.

In the coming weeks, I will be delving into each post, updating product links, and reposting links to products as *an affiliate to assist shoppers like you in purchasing goods and services that we recommend. The shopping list, or ‘shop with us page‘ is now available here. This is particularly important for new posts, links, and future posts to share, add value or share our experiences with the products and services we use.

TPU Action

Moving forward, let’s consider the items mentioned in our early June posts regarding ‘TPU Action‘. A list of parts has been provided for you to browse and purchase for your shop! Take note of my mistakes (they could save you money) or simply think of it as putting money back in your pocket. Additionally, for those of you who are able to buy supplies through Amazon, or Prime, I will be sharing discount codes at a later date (not toady, as I’m currently working to find deals and affiliate links). I will also be mentioning specific days and time periods when Amazon offers special promotions. Speaking of, Prime Day 16th & 17th is approaching quickly. Hopefully, the purchaser page will be a helpful too, providing an easier way to recommend products and services through Amazon.

Latest Suppling List

Let’s cover the art supplies in two part series, pens, markers, and erasers. Secondly, sharpeners, on-to-go pads, paints, paint markers and drawing (mechanical) tools to have around…

Sharpie – Markers – Variety Pack (6)
Sakura Pigma – Pro Brush Pens (6)
Sakura Pigma Micron – SAKURA Pigma Micron Pens, select sizes and colors (1)
Ohuhu – Ohuhu Alcohol Brush Markers (168)
Ohuhu – Ohuhu Alcohol Blenders (6)
TFIVE – Acrylic Marker Pens (2)

Prismacolor – Markers, Pencils and Tools
Marker Set Fine/Chisel – Prismacolor – Premier Double-ended Markers (24)
Marker Set Fine/Brush – Prismacolor – Premier Double-ended Markers (12)
Erasers – Prismacolor – Premier Magic Erasers (12)
Colored Pencils – Prismacolor – Premier Eraseble Colored Pencils (24)
Pencil Set – Prismacolor Premier Graphite Pencils With Erasers & Sharpeners

Wrap up

Finally, all items on our shopping list can be purchased above or on our shopping list. These items have been purchased within the last 4 months. Typically, they are considered must-haves, essential for use in and around the office. For example, it is useful to have various types of Sharpies – thin-liners, regular barrel type (more common size with a fine tip), and heavy-duty chiseled tips. Sharpies are almost required in the #markers space for marking bed plates and prints. There are areas of opportunity when it comes to nibs, nobs, and globs. For those in desperate need, they provide a simple way to write on most surfaces. See Part Two.

Part Two for your convenience. If you are going into art school, are a hobbyist, or need a school art supply list, please bookmark this series. It will help you maintain and improve your supplies list. It serves as a convenienct reminder of products we have recommended in the recent past.

Lastly, keep your supplies fresh, stocked up and within reach. Keeping office art supplies stocked can be a huge task, with dried paint tubes, markers, and broken tips. As the post mentioned, it can sometimes fee like an exercise in futility.

May 28, 2024January 9, 2025

The D&D Goods

Books, Starter Sets and More

So, Dungeons & Dragons… Want to Play?

The D & D Goods, Gear and Imagination – Let’s Hop Into the World of RPG Gaming.

Let’s discuss the basics, of D&D Starter Kit. All you need is a starter kit, some dice and a friend or two. With a little imagination, creativity and people who can work with minimal direction, you can setup a basic game of D&D.

Start a clan or cohort of player characters who are whisked off to battle, encountering orcs, goblins, and challenges unique to the world of RPGs (role playing games). However, there’s a catch if you’ve never played the game, read the books, or watched learn-to-play videos on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Rumble or D&D content on ‘how to get started, game play and game strategy’. For simplicity’s sake, let’s leave the ‘how to’s to the to the experts. This article is more of a summary of our process, journey and learning how to play one of the original RPG games. Let’s outline our RPG journey.

Starter Sets, Dice and Imagination

Starting with the D&D Starter and/or Essentials Kit is extremely helpful. The Starter Set was particularly successful for us in terms of our campaign. By campaign, I mean a successful storyline that runs from start to finish, or sometimes just the time we started playing until the day ended. It could also refer to the order of play and our willingness to fail. I’ll discuss that more later.

For starters, the Essentials or Starter D&D kits are the way to go. We skipped the online version and just got the premade character sheets, six dice, a mini game or campaign (Lost Mine of Phandelver), D&D rulebook, and most importantly, a group of people willing to learn and not necessarily know how to play.

That’s it! So, what’s the catch? The punchline is that you can play regardless of experience. However, it’s extremely helpful to have someone in the group with ‘any’ level of D&D experience. We did not. So, the recommendation here is simple: read what you can, get the adventure started, start with what you know from other games you might have played, ‘discard’ what you don’t ,and have fun.

Kits, Books, Dice, Accessories and More

Starter Set – D&D Starter Set
Essentials Kit – D&D Essentials Kit
Core D&D Rulebooks Gift Set Object – D&D Core Rulebooks Set (Hardcover)
Starter Set – D&D Start Set
Dungeon Masters Guide – D&D Dungeon Masters Guide
D&D Art & Arcana – D&D Art & Arcana
Character Sheets – D&D Character Sheets
Spellbook Cards – D&D Spellbook Cards
Icewindale Book – D&D Icewindale Rime of the Frostmaiden
Fizban’s Book – D&D Fizban’s Treasury Of Dragons
Chessex D& Dice – Chessex D&D Dice

The DM (Dungeon Master) Role, Experience

The most important role in the game is that is the role of the Dungeon Master or DM for short. DM’s act as the campaign narrator, the judge, and with some experience, can create epic journeys filled with ice giants, mountain trolls, ancient wizards, clockwork stone samurai warriors, and dragons. After all, it is called Dungeons and Dragons. Before you face those dragons, a word of caution: experience can be beneficial. Replaying min-campaigns or campaigns you’ve already completed as a group can help improve situational awareness and guide you on how to behave as a player-character rathar than an NPC (non-player character).

Once again, the DM can assist campaign players in various ways: replaying scenarios on a small scale, developing new character activities, creating new situations. or realms. These tools are helpful in learning how to play, improving teamwork, enhancing character attributes and skills, and gaining a better understanding of the game quickly.

Enjoy The Pitfalls, Work To Elevate Your Game Play

In our case, gaming, we navigate pitfalls, traps, and dragons to survive. The main goal is to have fun, while the Dungeon Master DM manages basic rules, functions, and gameplay. To play, you will need a DM, character sheets, a story (campaign books are available for all levels of play), a rulebook, and some dice.

Quickly, let’s touch on the DM screen (DM screens contain quick tips, notes and situational actions to help the DM move the game along). It’s not game ending if you don’t have one and the DM relies on paper ‘screens’. What’s important is that most starter kits, depending on the edition, include some version of a DM screen. The same goes for the DM guide and player rulebook.

This is a good starting point in the article where we added a few other D&D pieces to enhance game play. Ok, ok. I must admit, we picked up some second hand campaign books, additional character sheets (blank, with the skills needed to create a character from scratch), and a digital/web-based dice-rolling app. This is handy when space is limited. Whether new or used, refurbished or the latest edition, we chose to add something new at longer intervals.

Additional Accessories

Introducing the Core Rulebooks Set with Original Cover Art, including the DM Screen, DM Guide, Monster Manual and Player’s Handbook. We have chosen to maintain a longer interval between game additions, sticking to the basics. Adding new elements such as pieces, books, or parts would disrupt the flow of the game. It took several months to full appreicate the benefits of running a campaign with Monster Cards and maps (we projected our campaign maps on the TV). This proved to be a handy way to visually understand the campaign and create the illusion of a cave or dungeon, especially for a less skilled group of players.

RPG’s – Role Playing Games

Let’s take a moment to define RPG play. The concept is quite simple; players roll dice, make moves to observe, discover, or take action each round of play.

The same goes for the characters, many of whom are monsters that take a a turn by rolling dice, adding a layer of complexity to the game. All of us were new to the game, yet, we had a Dungeon Master, some players, character sheets, dice and a pre-made story. Kudos to us early on in the journey, as we had no idea what we were getting into. We completely ignoring time elements, rules, items characters ‘carry with them’, magic, or player strengths/weaknesses, durability and XP.

We immersed ourselves in the story, made strategic moves, faced the best D&D Goods and challenges presented by the DM’s monsters, and then moved on to the next. adventure. At its core, that’s the essence of the game. While note groundbreaking, we soon realized that these sessions served as valuable training excesizes that helped our team establish out play style for future campaigns. Let’s emphasize the enjoyment of RPGs, revisiting campaigns can be exciting. The main reason being the game’s incredible flexibility, allowing for a different experience each time it is played. With different DMs, varying character strengths, and evolving situations, the player-characters grow and the gameplay experience evolves. Lastly, we probably should have stuck with our premade characters a bit longer. For those who have never played, there is no right or wrong way to approach the game. The key is to make the most of what you have, whether using premade characters or creating your own.

D&D Goods, Successes, DM’s and Game Play

Now, the key to our success was the premade character sheets included in the kits. We had no idea how to play, a DM… and some sheets. Characters levels, arcane, dexterity, what? Skipping this part, is not critical to the story, the point is, the more you play, the rules and gameplay evolve. Assuming the group can accept the lack of knowledge and that there is no inherent game expert to guide the game; then it sounds like you’ve got a game!

Hours, days, and even weeks have passed, replaying the essentials. This is where the DM (mentioned above, whose experience is key) can help elevate game play. Adding the D&D core books (D&D Goods) i.e. the DM’s Guide, Monster Manual and Player’s Handbook. to the mix was essential . The Essential Kit and/or Starter Kit can be replayed as much or as little as you desire. Today, we revisit the journey from time to time. The game offers a level of flexibility, rules can come and go, or maybe a better way to describe the journey, leave it up to the Dungeon Master!

Respect for the DM, get the D&D goods. Books and bulk dice purchases came sometime later as we added new players. Most players resorted to the digital dice apps for player moves and actions where applicable. We won’t go into detail, keeping this high level. Introducing new elements to the game/campaign, week by week ( generally, months at a time). Stick with it, you’ll figure it out!

Expand, Purchase Core D&D Goods, Dice Sets and More

Finally, we worked to refine our game play, by adjusting the D&D goods and complexity as needed. The amount of changes made often depends on the team’s available playtime. It can be a gradual process, but having an intuitive and creative DM is crucial, so a big thanks to our DM! Dm’s have the ability to breathe life into the storyline, introducing unique challenges such as crisis situations, periods of difficulty, high-pressure scenarios, troubled times and moments of campaign glory! There is never a ‘wrong direction’ in the game – the more you learn, the more opportunities you have to create a new character or try a different storyline.

The direction and strategy can only ‘grow’ from today-to-tomorrow. Any suggestions? Keep it simple, light and refreshing. Focus on building character strengths, avoiding complexities, and gaining strength and XP (experience points) for warriors. Arcane abilities for Mages, stealth for thieves. Additionally, cohort successes can benefit from various play styles, complementing team play or player-character types. Be mindful of limitations, and work to mitigate character weaknesses. Lastly, rely on your D&D clan your clan and a little imagination will get you through the tough times.

Finally, Ok, you want to play? Get yourself some D&D goods, game books, accessories and more (tables, cups, merch).

May 16, 2024September 27, 2024

Fix 3D Prints and Plastics

Be Creative Without the Hassle

Quick Fix With Glue(Super) and Baking Soda

Strong Adhesives, Baking Soda and Spray Activator/Hardener Light

Fix plastics, wood lures, wood carvings and more. Fix 3d Prints and Plastics better than traditional fillers or bonding agents.

Adhesives, Clean Up/Deburring

Starbond Kit – Starbond Kit – Glue & Activator Starbond – Super Fast Thin Glue JB Weld – J-B Weld Bonder (2) Pack AFA Tooling – AFA Tooling Deburring Tools
Dremel Tool – Dremel High Performance Rotary Tool Kit

In A Tight Spot, Choose Super Adhesive and Baking Soda

Need a quick fix, while out fishing in the field? Or did a new 3D print break during the clean up process? What should you do now? For a quick fix, simply grab some extra strength glue, our choice, Starbond, Starbond activator, baking soda and start the filling process. This method works on wood, plastics, and more. By using baking soda as the ‘filler’ and the super adhesive as the bonding agent, you’ll have a quick fix in no time.

If you need to clean up your 3D Printables, clean up or deburr plastics and filler using super adhesives and baking soda, deburring tools are a must. When producing items from plastics or resin compounds such as wood, metals and plastics, the production process isn’t perfect, leaving you with work post production. Tasks like, trimming for metal stamping or removing travel or supports in the 3D printing process, require specific tools. We recommend AFA Deburring Tools for hand scraping and clean up, as well as the Dremel Rotary Tool for tile, clay, woods and metals. These tools are handy to have around the shop for various tasks.

Finally, for those tough jobs, or bonds, try JB Weld (J-B Weld Amazon Store). There are many applications for JB weld. Whether it’s loose or broken tiles, outdoor furniture, or any other project, JB Weld Epoxy and adhesives will create a strong and lasting bond using chemical bonding resins.

For a comprehensive list of all products mentioned above, please refer to our affiliate shopping list for ideas, product information, and more. Here are some products you may want to consider! Please note that this is just one method of fixing plastics; it was a test to demonstrate the effectiveness of the adhesive and baking soda powder.