User:Baminnick/enes100/cupcakes

Link to Cupcakes team page.

Give instructor top 3 project choice list
My top three project choices were Perfume, Corn Starch, and Water Jet, in that order. The project I am currently working on is 3D Scan.

Write problem statement
Past attempts at operating the MakerBot Cupcake CNC have been succesful at printing a 3-D object. But these attempts have been unsuccesful at creating a video, using the X-BOX Kinect Camera, then using ReplicatorG to convert the file from an STL file to Gcode, and finally printing the object.

Assign Task1
The task which I planned to accomplish for week 1 was to develop a procedure, which anyone can follow in order to print an object.

Compare actual work done to Task1
The work completed in task1 was sufficient for understanding how the MakerBot Cupcake CNC works. By developing a procedure for printing an object, I have a full understanding of how the 3-D printer works.

Week1 Narrative


To begin developing the MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure, I needed to understand how the MakerBot Cupcake CNC operated. By observing the 3-D printing demonstration given by the engineering aid, Patrick, I was able to obtain a basic understanding of the MakerBot Cupcake CNC. As I began printing my own object, I came across several problems. The main problems I experienced were regarding understanding the CAD program, Blender, setting up the MakerBot, and a few hardware difficulties with printing a raft in the MakerBot.

Blender, the CAD program which Patrick used in his demostration, seemed unreliable when I was working with it individually. I have used CAD programs in the past, and this program seemed difficult and confusing to use. However this was not the main issue. After saving a file on Blender, I could not convert the file into Gcode or even an STL file. So my solution to this was to download an already developed STL file from the thingiverse website.

After uploading the STL file onto ReplicatorG, I was unable to find a connection between the ReplicatorG program and the MakerBot. The connection between the serial port was not found and recognized by the ReplicatorG, and without this connection I would not be able to control the MakerBot from ReplicatorG. My solution to this was to search different COM ports, and use the connection command in ReplicatorG until the connection was made.

Once the connection was made, I began printing my object using the MakerBot. However as the printing process began, the work table jerked into the corner of the MakerBot. This action prevented further printing. My solution to this problem was to recenter the motor so it was closer to the work table in the Z-axis.

After solving these main significant problems, I was able to properly print an object. And since I printed something, and documented it in my engineering notebook, I was able to regenerate a basic outline for the procedure. The gaps in the procedure were filled by printing another object shown in the pictures to the left and the right:

Week1 Peer Review
I commented on Alex's individual 3D-Scan project page. My comment was regarding how he should document his work on his individual page every week. The link to the discussion page is: Week1 Peer Review

Assign Task2
The task which I planned to accomplish for week 2 is to upload an STL file from the X-BOX Kinect Camera onto ReplicatorG.

Compare actual work done to Task2
The X-Box 360 Kinect was properly connected to a computer in the engineering room. Visual, sound, and movement of the camera were all easily controlled in a window. However, forming an STL file from the Kinect was not accomplished because a photo or video could not be taken.

Week2 Narrative
The X-Box 360 Kinect is a camera with a motion sensing input device. This device recognizes motions and audio from a person or an object. Although the Kinect is for the X-Box 360 console, the device can be used on Windows computers. The relevance of this camera to the 3D-Scan project is that the camera can be used to scan an object. The scan which the Kinect produces is more accurate and precise than the scan produced with a laser and a regular camera. Since the scanning with the Kinect is more effective, it is easier to produce an STL file from the Kinect video.

When I first began using the X-Box 360 Kinect, I came across minor issues regarding the connection between the Kinect and the computer. My first attempt at connecting Windows and the Kinect was unsuccesful because the XBox NUI Motor was not recognized. I tried several possible solutions, however none of them were succesful at completing this connection. Then looking through Windows Help I came across a soluion I did not previously consider. The solution to this connection issue was to download software from the internet which can connect the Kinect and Windows.

The next problem which occured as I was attempting to complete this task was regarding the use of the Kinect software which I downloaded from a certain website. The software still did not complete the connection, the Kinect was recognized by the computer but the visual, audio, and other functions of the Kinect were not operating. After testing all possible solutions I came up with for this problem, only one solution worked. By looking at the X-Box 360 website, I was directed to another website in which I should download this software. Once visiting this website I downloaded the new software package, and the X-Box 360 Kinect was properly connected to the computer.

The connection between the Kinect and computer using this software resulted in a single window. This operating window allowed the user to move the Kinect up and down, and see what the Kinect was visualizing. In the operating window, the user can view a regular screen and a depth evaluating screen seen from the Kinect camera. Although the connection of the Kinect was succesful, the task was not completed. This is because a video or photo using the Kinect was not taken. The photo could not have been taken because there was no command on the operating window to do so. This problem was not resolved, and it will be worked on next week.

Week2 Peer Review
I commented on Alex's individual 3D-Scan project page and Andrew's individul 3D-Scan project page. My comments wer regarding how they should document their work on their own individual pages every week. The link to the discussion pages are: Alex:Week2 Peer Review and Andrew:Week2 Peer Review

Assign Task3
The task which I planned to accomplish for week 3 is to complete the MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure by adding the necessary videos, photos, and screenshots onto wikiversity.

Compare actual work done to Task3
The work accomplished for Week 3 is a success. I fully completed the HCC MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure by adding photos, screenshots, and videos to each step.

Week3 Narrative
Some of the MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure photos and screenshots are shown throughout this narrative:

As you can see from the various photos, most of the different aspects of the procedure are displayed. The photos are taken equally from the four different sections of the procedure: SetUp, Downloading an STL file, Uploading the STL file onto Replicator G, and Printing. The rest of the narrative disscusses the problems I faced in completing the procedure, as explained in the following paragraphs:

The task for week three was to complete the HCC MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure by adding photos, screenshots, and videos which may help future HCC engineering students to learn how to use the MakerBot. The completed procedure can be viewed at this link:Procedure with Photos and Videos. To do this, I followed the procedure I developed in week 1 and documented every step of the procedure. To document the steps, I used the class camera to take videos and photos, and I used the printscreen key to take screenshots on the computer. Documenting and following the procedure lacked some difficulty, however some major problems did occur. The problems were regarding how to use the class camera, working with the MakerBot, and storing the documentation.

To document the procedure's steps, the class camera was used to take a total of three photos and four videos. However, problems occured as I was using the class camera to do this. The first issue was setting up the camera so it can view the MakerBot properly. Books and other level objects were used to bring the camera to the height of the MakerBot, however the camera was looking forward not down on the MakerBot. To solve this issue, a small thin object was used to angle the camera so it could record a video of the MakerBot printing. As the setup of the camera occured, the batteries died. This problem resulted in an immediate stop of the previous problem. To fix the battery power issue, new batteries were found by asking the engineering aid for some new ones.

The next issue was working witht the MakerBot. Although I have been able to succesfully print something before, some issues still occur as I attempted to print something this week. Following the procedure I made in week 1 was helpful because it reminded me of steps I may have forgotten. Since I was following the procedure I could also edit the procedure as well as document it. The problems that occured as I was following the procedure were regarding the MakerBot. For some reason, the MakerBot would not complete a test extrusion. Without the test extrusion, the printing of my object could not be completed. To solve this problem, I attempted the STL upload process again and heated the motor again. Then the test extrusion occured.

The last major issue as I was completing the procedure is regarding storing the documentation. I took the photos and videos in Friday's lab, so I needed to work on them further at home. To do this transportation of the files was required. I first used my email, and this worked for the camera photos and screenshots, but not the videos. The file size was too large and it was over the email size limit. I tried several solutions to solve this problem, and using a USB drive was the best solution. However, I did not have my own USB drive with me at the moment, therefore I used the class USB drive. After this problem was solved, I was able to work on the documentation at home and upload the photos on wikimedia commons and the videos onto youtube.

The MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure Videos are shown below:
 * Setting Up the MakerBot Cupcake CNC
 * Centering the Work Table under the MakerBot Motor
 * MakerBot Cupcake CNC Test Extrusion
 * MakerBot Cupcake CNC Printing

Week3 Peer Review
I posted a comment on both Andrew's discussion page and Alex's discussion page regarding the great improvement in the wiki postings.

Assign Task4
The task I plan to complete for week 4 is to start summing up the project by allowing future teams to work on this project from where team cupcakes left off.

Compare actual work done to Task4
Work for week 4 was completed by adding information to the team page, documenting youtube videos and pictures taken, and changing the link for the HCC MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure. These accomplishments will allow the next team to view and understand the information which team cupcakes and I have posted on wikiversity.

Week4 Narrative
The time spent in week 4 was spent on bringing the project to an end and allowing future teams to continue team cupcakes work. The two stages to accomplish this are documenting the work, and presenting the work to the ENES-100 class. The main problem that occurred as this task was completed was deciding on a method to communicate this information to the reader.

I decided to communicate this infromation by contributing input to the Cupcakes Team Page, adding photos and videos to the team page, and changing the link to the MakerBot Cupcake CNC Procedure so that it can viewed from the team page, not my own individual page. These documentations will help future ENES students to use the HCC MakerBot, use the X-Box 360 Kinect, and push this project forward even further.

This information was also presented in the ENES-100 class. From this presentation, discussion evolved about how the next group should use the work team cupcakes completed to push this project forward. It was decided that the MakerBot side of this project was completed, so the next step was to use the Kinect. Methods for capturing an image or video with the Kinect was discussed and solutions resulted. These solutions were stated in the next steps section of the team page.

Week4 Peer Review
I posted a comment on Alex's discussion page regarding the work completed and documented for this project.

Complete Project Page
As stated previously, the team project page was completed. Content was added to each section, filled with photos, videos, and documentation of what was completed on the 3D Scan project. This was completed as a team effort, with everyone's contributions to this project properly documented. With this project coming to an end for myself and team cupcakes, the future team should be able to start from where we left off.

Start Next Project Week0 activities
My top three project preferences were Perfume, Corn Starch, and Chaos Theory, in that order. The project I will be working on is Corn Starch.