In the summer of 2021, I decided to use money that I saved during the pandemic to invest in a home 3D printer. I wanted to use this project to be the first step in projects where i would design unconventional 3D printing rigs. This project is focused on setting up the Creality Ender 3, and connecting it to the Ultimaker Cura with OctoPi, so I can use Cura profiles and view the camera feed.

Summer of 2021: I basically spent this time trying to understand 3D printing. I went through trial and error trying to level my bed with the level wheels. I was using the packaged creality filament, which was a mistake because often wouldn’t extrude properly. The stock ender bed also has poor adhesion. Even if you level correctly, you’d need masking tape or glue in order for prints to stick. I also had the stock bed springs that would warp the bed overtime. Now these are all of the problems I spent almost a year to identify. This is part in due to this project not being a huge priority during the school year. With my experience in the 3D printing lab at my school’s machine shop, i was able to learn about bed leveling, nozzle cleaning, and other printer related repairs. Now in the summer of 2022, when i had a 9 to 5 internship, i would try and work on this the days i felt the most motivated. I also used this time to make some early investments.