March 2024 UFO


Be sure to bookmark a3d.fyi for quick access to UFO reveal posts.

Filamentcolors.xyz is a digital catalog of filament from around the globe, curated with the purpose of helping people find the perfect colors for their project. We print and photograph every filament under the same conditions, allowing users to compare different colors directly. We also measure the color and report this as a hex color, and use that to calculate complementary colors, similar filaments, and even similar colors in other materials to help users perfectly plan their projects. We’re a hobby project and always growing through filament donations and partnerships, so keep checking back to find your favorite filaments!

SWAG & CODES

  • Assortment of M&M Share Size
  • Trading Cards

Please login to view codes if you received this months UFO.

Image
Subscriber @tsiolkovsky created a neat trading card holder for the top of the printer to hold the card for the sample you're printing with!
Download Card Holder

Filament Samples

All filament samples are at least 20 meters in length (actually more, I increased the length to eat up the extra filament being left behind on the rolls)

Those looking for a sample spooler, MadMonkey designed this one and it's been my favorite so far https://www.printables.com/model/36621-expandable-sample-spool-holder

DSK has also made a sample spool specifically to fit the samples from the new machine: https://www.printables.com/model/428314-sample-spool-snap

Visit Sliceworx

Accessory

Inline Filament Dust Cleaners

I've used inline dust cleaners on and off for years, with some filaments I've also added a dab of oil - though oddly I haven't heard about either for years like I used to. When I saw these I thought they'd be a nice addition as I hadn't included them previously and they were cheap enough to include 2 in the box. While most people probably don't think about it, there's a lot of particles on filament - whether extra colorant (white filament always leaves titanium oxide on the sample machine), or dust from sitting on the shelf, or even being out in the open and collecting dust from your print room - these particles have the chance of building up in your nozzle and causing clogs. These dust filters can snap around your filament and wipe the filament clean as it passes into your extruder.
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Project!

+Nano version of the UFOs received an ESP32-WROOM

If you've pre-printed the parts, I've added 2 spacers to place between the load cell and the body/spool holder

Filament Scale

This project is fairly simple and is "mostly" plug and play. I don't think a video is necessary but if I get a request for one I will happily make one. Unfortunately a little bit of soldering is needed this month to solder the pins onto the HX711 board. 10 pins in total, or 8 pins if you want to skip B+ and B- since they're not used.

Included:

  • 5kg Load Cell
  • HX711 Amplifier Module
  • 128 x 32 OLED Display
  • 2 x 6700ZZ Bearings (10mm ID, 15mm OD, 4mm W)
  • 5 x M3
  • 2 x M5
  • 2 x M4
  • 10 x Female to Female Jumper wires

There are 4 wires for the HX711 to Control Board, 4 wires for the OLED to Control Board, and 2 wires to cut the female ends off (leave about 2 inches of wire on each) to use to add connectors to the 4 Load Cell Wires. You can also shorted the load cell wires as you see fit. Additionally, the pins for the OLED can be bent about 45 degrees if you find that they're in the way from the HX711 clamp.

Load Cell to HX711 Wiring:
Red to E+
Black to E-
White to A-
Green to A+

HX711 to ESP32 Dev Board wiring:
VCC to VIN
GND to GND
SCK to 18
D to 19

OLED to ESP32 Dev Board Wiring:
VCC to 3.3v
GND to GND
SCL to 22
SDA to 21

Files on Printables
Files on MakerWorld
Filament Scale Code

Programming the ESP32-WROOM Boards:

There are 2 ways you can program the board.

Arduino Web Editor:

One way is to use the Arduino web editor. You can create a project in the online editor and copy the code into it. Just follow the websites directions on getting the needed plug in installed. The board you would select is the esp32 dev module

Locally on PC:

First you will need the Arduino IDE installed on your computer. Which you can install from 
https://www.arduino.cc/en/software . If you are using windows 11 I would suggest to download and install the legacy IDE version as new one gets some access denied errors.

Once the IDE is up and running you will need to install the esp32 board.

First thing you will need is to install the Espressif esp32 board library. You can do so by following the tutorial on the website below: [Note for our board select the esp32 dev board]

https://randomnerdtutorials.com/installing-the-esp32-board-in-arduino-ide-windows-instructions/

After the board is installed you can open up the .ino file for the project.

You can the select the board Esp32 Dev Module and the correct port and click upload.

This should compile the code and send it to the board for you!

You can earn 5% of every renewal for referral subscriptions each month by referring new customers. Simply visit https://www.alien3d.us/affiliate-area/ to see access your link or code! Contact me if you'd like a custom code instead of the auto generated one.


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          1. Hey, I’m sorry I totally missed when you sent it in January. I do have it. Thank you for the quick reply

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  5. I’ve been loving these assembly videos. One of issues I’ve struggled with in the past with larger 3d print projects is the last mile of assembling the project. I also enjoy hearing some of the context behind the design of the models and the different iterations/considerations that went into putting the project together. Thanks for putting these together!

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      They’ll be out by the end of the week. I had some issues with customs, then left Thursday for RMRRF and am returning today. If you didn’t receive the email I sent last week please check the communication settings under your account. I am so sorry for the delay.

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