User:Llf5095

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Introduction

Hello, my name is Leo Funk and I am currently an engineering student at the Pennsylvania State University planning on majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I am currently in my 4th semester here at Penn State and am expecting to graduate in May of 2016.

Blogs

I will be doing weekly blogs that are assigned topics for my Engineering 497J Class, Open Source 3-D Printing. My blogs will range in a variety of topics that all revolve around open source 3D printing.

Blog Number One – Wondering Around Thingiverse

This blog includes 5 items all meeting specific criteria that were found by me on Thingiverse.com. They were chosen just by looking through dozens of different designs relating to each category and choosing one that I felt best fit the category. The web addresses will be available below which is where all the STL files can be downloaded.

“1. Something that is amazing or beautiful”

Certain objects on Thingiverse just appear as if they would make amazing centerpieces. This object embodies that. It seems to be very much shaped by math and logic other than art, but the “Cantilevered Orb Neti Pot” by “goldbeard” really looks like it could be a great conservation piece in anyone’s home, apartment, dorm room, or office plus planting the right plant inside could really make this a great looking object. It really is unique and is something that definitely not everyone would have.

“2. Something that is funny or strange”

Internet memes have become increasingly popular over the past few years and the “Me gusta” meme is definitely one of those that everyone at one time or another comes across on the internet. Thingiverse has a 3D printable coin-like face uploaded by “Nudel-P”. It’s definitely another one of those things that would make a great piece to just leave lie on a desk or stick to the wall in an office. It’s sure to get some smiles from passersby and maybe even lighten your own day.

“3. Something useless”

While Thingiverse has some great and useful designs on it, it has a plethora of objects that really have no use. I think that the “Sharknado” takes the cake. It seems to be a cub or vase that is themed around the movie “Sharknado” that came out earlier in 2013. The movie was about a tornado that took sharks and through them into urban areas and it was about as good as this vase is useful.

“4. Something useful”

In modern day, nearly everyone has a computer and while we try to be as wireless as we can be, sometimes we can’t avoid it. USB cables have a tendency to be one of the most common cables to use temporary items on our computers and they tend to get clutter and tangled with other cords. I feel that this “Dummy USB Port” by “mirk” on Thingiverse is a great and very simple idea. After searching dozens of intricate designs I reverted back to this because, frankly, my desk is a mess and something to keep my USB cables off the ground would do wonders for my organization. I know that I am not the only one afflicted by this and that’s why this small simple 3D printable object made it on my list.

“5. The ‘best’ printable Raspberry Pi case”

The Raspberry Pi is a very popular piece of hardware anymore and since it only costs around $35 it would seem a little silly to put it in a case that costs many times more than that so a 3D printed case seems like a viable option. The best case on Thingiverse in my opinion is the “Tinkercad” by “Cinezaster”. It’s more rounded than nearly all of the other ones most commonly found of the internet which gives it a more unique look. The vents throughout it make that small Raspberry Pi look as if it’s an impressive and aggressive piece of hardware.

So, do any of these things surprise you?

To be completely honest, they really don’t. I do really like all of these printable objects (even the Sharknado cup). They are all wonderful ideas. I think they all have their own place and that they show fine execution by their authors, but they aren’t really anything that blows the mind of myself.

The Links:

1. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:62043

2. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11577

3. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:134722

4. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7324

5. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30843

Blog Number Two – What is 3D Hubs

A lot of people have wished they had the convenience of a 3D printer but lack the money or the know how to use one. 3D printing isn’t at the stage (yet) where someone can walk into Staples and say, “I’d like this printed in blue. Here is the STL file,” as they would to get a poster or pictures printed. Printing in 3D isn’t common enough yet for everyone to be able to attain a 3D printer. There is a solution though.

3D Hubs allows its users to find individuals or businesses with 3D printers willing to print objects for others. This can include all types of 3D printing, but has a plethora of low to middle cost printers, many that are just owned by enthusiasts. This keeps the relative cost of printing down to an affordable level which seemed to be an issue when 3D printers were in their infancy. 3D Hubs is truly trying to bring the benefits of additive manufactures to an affordable level and into the grasp of everyone.

This isn’t even necessarily the best feature of 3D Hubs. If someone has their own 3D printer, they can list themselves on 3D Hubs and they can make real money off of something they thought to be just a hobby before. It’s trying to motivate private owners to make a web of small “businesses” to cover as much of not only the U.S. but the world. 3D Hubs, in their initial press release that 95% of 3D printer owners used their printer less than 10 hours a week. If owners of these printers could use them just a few more hours a week to make profit, the idea of home 3D printing might appeal to even a larger crowd. It’s attempting to unite, what are now many single users, a huge network of 3D printers.

So what is the future of 3D Hubs?

That’s probably impossible to tell. If it really catches on, it could really be a coming of age for 3D printing, allowing literally anyone to be able to have 3D printed parts. If it doesn’t, it would still be a great idea that just was just too far ahead of its own market. It’s definitely an interesting topic and something to keep an eye one. It might even be the motivating factor to really get 3D printing in the mainstream world.