Been slowly working towards getting started.. a few notes…

Background on me – I am a Senior Firmware Engineer working on hardware projects for XBOX.. I did some work on the new xbox one controller and currently am working on a secret project due out by the end of this month. I tend to be a problem solver in general so I frequently make trips to the factory in china where I get some hands-on work doing EE, Process Engineering, Mechanical, and assembly line test automation.

I’m using a FlashForge Pro with ABS and a glass plate. I use ABS juice (wiped down with acetone to make it a nice thin film). With this I still have some lifting going on and have been experimenting to get everything right. Been printing one finger over and over trying to eliminate lifting and compression. Think I’ve got it now though.

Key thing for me to get good printed parts is using Simplify3d ($140, but absolutely worth it) with rafts. Before getting Simplify3d, I hated rafts – they generated a lot more work for me post print, but with this tool, everything is great. The parts simply snap off the rafts (I didn’t even have to sand them). And I get to recycle the rafts in my ABS juice. The preview feature is also good as you can see layer by layer what is printed. Check out some of the tours on YouTube. Great software.

Since the recommended servos seem to be forever unavailable, I am going with Hitec HS-5485HB’s.. You can get them online at Amazon or ServoCity. I’ve been playing with them a bit and they seem good, but will have more feedback once I get it built up.

If anyone has used these, I wouldn’t mind hearing your feedback.

Printing new fingers, thumb and sensor finger tips now (with Simplify3D), about 10 hours to go… Once I get a hand assembled, I’ll post some pics!