Back to the new old Studio & Cherry-picked Review Units?

This episode is not only about chatting and chicken but also a little update on Tom’s move back to his new old studio and his plans to completely move in before he flies out to ERRF2022. After a bit of rambling, Tom and Stefan talk about a 3D printed robot arm, Fusions360s implementation of lattice structures, and an open-source high-temperature 3D printer. After Tom got his loaf of bread out of the oven and shared his recipe, both continue talking about pathogens on 3D prints and the newly unveiled name of the Ultimaker and Makerbot merger. The question section covers cherry-picked or modified review machines, Voron vs. Ratrig, more stringing on longer nozzles, LDO vs. Formbot Voron kits, and a brief chat about alternative part cooling systems.

Bambu VS Voron VS Prusa XL & Kicked out of the Studio?

This episode starts with a short and frustrating story on why Tom might have to leave his new studio again. Next, Stefan and Tom talk about Corridor Crews YouTube channels once again, which recently was hacked. Stefan gives a quick insight into his new home automation setup that sends him notifications once a print is finished. Then there is a quick ramble about the “influencer playbook” that was published by a marketing agency that explains how to annoy influencers to promote a product with little to no pay. The question section covers the difference between sandpaper grids in Europe and the US, a quick comparison of the BambulabX1, a Voron 2.4, and the upcoming Prusa XL. Finally, Tom and Stefan answer whether small nozzles can be used for significantly wider extrusions and if they plan to build the upside-down Positron V3 printer.

Prusa XL Delayed, Scams & NoZZles

Thanks to Siraya Tech for sponsoring this episode! Check them out at https://siraya.tech/products/build-resin-high-resolution-engineering-resin or on Amazon at http://go.toms3d.org/Siraya
In this episode, Stefan talks about what recently put him out of order for almost 4 weeks but how he used the time to discover some amazing new channels. Tom talks about his experience of redeeming his Prusameters and his recent CF lamination projects. Both quickly discuss their most recent videos on obsolete 0.4 mm nozzles and obsolete Volcano hotends. Next, they go through Prusa’s recent blog post in which the latest developments regarding the Prusa XL are discussed. Finally, Tom and Stefan talk about their plans with the upcoming ObXidian nozzle and the scam comments they were both victims of.

Why stuff breaks, Robot Arms & Home-Compostable PHA Filaments

Thanks to Private Internet Access for sponsoring this episode! Check them out at https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/TheMeltzone
This episode starts with a discussion about the longevity of common 3D printing materials and why sometimes filament snaps on its own in the Bowden tube. Next, Tom and Stefan take a look at Formlabs’ new FUSE 1+ 3D printer that claims to be able to do wasteless SLS printing, which would be an amazing step forward for that technology! Then there is a quick update on the BambuStudio source code that just was recently released. After that, Tom shares his interest in building a robot arm for filming, and 3D printing using DUET hardware and rambles about the ongoing E3D ObXidian teases that he’s fed up with. Then they talk about an STL subscription service and if that’s an alternative to buying files separately or by being a Patreon of designers. Finally, they have a talk about new PHA filaments that were just released to the market and claim to be really home-compostable.

I caught Covid at MRRF2022 & Slicing Revolution in CURA and PrusaSlicer

This episode is sponsored by Linode! Check out their scalable cloud solutions and get $100 free credit at https://linode.com/themeltzone
This episode is slightly different because Stefan records it straight from Covid isolation which he caught, as many others, at this year’s Midwest Reprap Festival in Goshen, IN. After a short status check and some stories from MRRF, Tom and Stefan discuss the recent merger of Ultimaker and Makerbot and what this will mean for the two brands as well as Thingiverse. Staying on the topic of Ultimaker, both talk about CURAs new Arachne slicing engine that dynamically adjusts extrusion width for more detailed and denser parts. Since CURA is open source, Prusa also implemented that feature in their new 2.5 alpha version of Prusa Slicer. Talking about open source, Tom and Stefan discuss the recent issues of Bambulab and QIDI not releasing the source code of their modified PrusaSlicer and CURA builds. The final section covers the question of what happened to PlyBot?

Anker Make M5 & BCM3Ds novel resin printing method

This episode is sponsored by Linode! Check out their scalable cloud solutions and get $100 free credit at https://linode.com/themeltzone
This episode starts with a quick update on Tom’s new studio as well as the office space Stefan has an eye on. Next, Stefan quickly tells the story of how All3D has been using content from a ton of creators without their permission over the last years and how they want to change their business practice now. BCN3D formally known for their dual-head FDM machines are getting into the market of resin 3D printing but with a real twist, which will allow using higher performance resins and even multi-material printing. Prusa has done a lifecycle analysis of their new recycled materials they are offering and Tom and Stefan talk about “real” recycled 3D printing filaments from the German Start-Ups RecyclingFabrik and QiTech. Then there is an update on the Prusa XL which will stick to regular and open-source nozzles in stark contrast to E3Ds REVO. The last topic covers the just-started Kickstarter of the Anker make M5 and if it might be worth the $759 MSRP. In the question section, Martin asks if Copper would have advantages over a Brass volcano adapter.

Dream Studio, Macro Photography & Sneaky 3D Printing Quiz

In this episode, Tom talks about finally finding his dream studio and office space! Both Tom and Stefan recently reviewed professional machines where they got a ton of negative feedback from viewers that made comparisons to maker and DIY tools. They ask themselves if there is space for taking a look at professional machines on their channels or if it’s generally negative for them and the manufacturers. Tom also received a request for reviewing a Markeforged printer and debates whether he should have a look at it (a second time). After purely technical materials, Markforged also just recently introduced simple PLA on their machines – why? Stefan talks about his passion for macro photography and how he’s able to shoot amazing pictures with a $20 objective. He also talks about the reasons why his recently released Volcano Adapter failed during testing and what he did that this doesn’t happen at customers. Finally, they talk about an advertised 3D printing quiz which they think is rather used to create classification data for an AI. In the questions section, Tom and Stefan discuss why most 3D printers use thermistors and not thermocouples.

Simplify3D V5 “confirmed” & REVO problems

The first topic of this episode covers a controversial article where the author “has the feeling” that the release of S3D V5 might not be far away though there is very little substance to that claim. More substantial news is that Anker, the power bank and electronics accessories maker, will get into the 3D printer market and will launch their first machine on Kickstarter soon. Next, Tom and Stefan cover 3D printable accessories for a new Ford truck and the Steam Deck, for which Valve recently released the CAD files. Next Stefan talks about an issue he recently had with his E3D REVO review unit and Tom discusses his Form 3 review machine that turned out to be an unreleased Form 3+ which he didn’t know about. Stefan quickly gives an update about the “killed” stepper driver. Questions cover 3D printer recommendations, especially pre-built core XY, and what happens to additives and pigments when you compost plastics.

Is “exposure” enough payment & German channel?

This episode starts with the question of whether content creators should have to license 3D printable models that others released under a non-commercial license or if the exposure alone is enough “payment”. If you would license your creation how would you even do that? Then there are rumors that Anet, the infamous maker of the Anet A8 is gone from the market. Next Tom and Stefan talk about the recently announced date for ERRF and if they consider going. Stefan asks himself if he killed his first stepper driver and Tom explains how that even is possible. Stefan talks about his plans on launching a German channel and if this might be worth the effort. Staying on the topic of running a channel, both discuss if video sponsors are good or bad for creators and content. Questions cover adding a pattern into a nozzle and if PLA really biodegrades in a home compost.

Open Source CAD & Selling Stuff Online

This episode starts with a short chat about the festive season and the presents Tom and Stefan got, followed by a talk about open source parametric CAD software and other professional yet affordable options. Next, Stefan shares some experiences running an e-commerce business and what options for selling products online are. After that, they discuss the dangerous practice of smoothing FDM prints by spraying on printing resin. Printed Solid is yet becoming another company that switches to cardboard spools for their filaments and will also be contributing to the Foundation E3D will set up in Sanjay Mortimer’s name who recently passed away. Fuslab claims that the recent community-developed Rolling Screw Extruder is infringing on their patent even though prior art was discussed and built years before they filed their patent. Staying on the topic of patents, both shortly talk about a high-flow hotend patent that E3D applied for. The questions cover topics on the compatibility of E3D Revo on the Prusa MK3 as well as converting an old Prusa printer into a CNC router and preheating filament for higher flow rates.