Alexa Log - Revision history

Alexa at 05:14, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T05:14:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:14, 14 March 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:

	<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>		<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>
			==Saturday Mar 14, 2026==
			[[Human-AI Collaboration]] Added thoughts of mine on when it is appropriate to use LLMs and when not to.

	==Tuesday Jan 20, 2026==		==Tuesday Jan 20, 2026==
	[[OSE Systems Automation‎]]		[[OSE Systems Automation‎]]

Alexa at 01:02, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T01:02:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:02, 21 January 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:

	<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>		<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>
			==Tuesday Jan 20, 2026==
			[[OSE Systems Automation‎]]

	==Sunday Dec 21, 2025==		==Sunday Dec 21, 2025==
	I have been preoccupied with thinking about this and other lovely projects, so I'm popping in to share my recent thoughts.		I have been preoccupied with thinking about this and other lovely projects, so I'm popping in to share my recent thoughts.

Alexa at 09:41, 21 December 2025

2025-12-21T09:41:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:41, 21 December 2025
Line 4:		Line 4:
	==Sunday Dec 21, 2025==		==Sunday Dec 21, 2025==
	I have been preoccupied with thinking about this and other lovely projects, so I'm popping in to share my recent thoughts.		I have been preoccupied with thinking about this and other lovely projects, so I'm popping in to share my recent thoughts.

	The Appropedia wiki has plans for an open source compression screw grinding machine.		The Appropedia wiki has plans for an open source compression screw grinding machine.

	Here's the relevant video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P7IGj5Wa7k		Here's the relevant video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P7IGj5Wa7k

	Wiki Entry: https://www.appropedia.org/Open-Source_Grinding_Machine_for_Compression_Screw_Manufacturing/		Wiki Entry: https://www.appropedia.org/Open-Source_Grinding_Machine_for_Compression_Screw_Manufacturing/

	Design Files: https://osf.io/ev6ta/		Design Files: https://osf.io/ev6ta/

	Additionally, there's a case study into a bootstrapping a business with 4-5 different revenue streams: https://www.appropedia.org/Making_the_Tools_to_Do-It-Together:_Open-source_Compression_Screw_Manufacturing_Case_Study		Additionally, there's a case study into a bootstrapping a business with 4-5 different revenue streams: https://www.appropedia.org/Making_the_Tools_to_Do-It-Together:_Open-source_Compression_Screw_Manufacturing_Case_Study

	All of this is to say, I'm looking into building one of these machines because I want to experiment with small extrusion screw extruders for my next version of the D3D printer		All of this is to say, I'm looking into building one of these machines because I want to experiment with small extrusion screw extruders for my next version of the D3D printer

	I want to use a small extrusion screw to act as a preheating stage for pellets/regrind to enter a normal 2.85mm V6/Volcano/Supervolcano 3D printer nozzle.		I want to use a small extrusion screw to act as a preheating stage for pellets/regrind to enter a normal 2.85mm V6/Volcano/Supervolcano 3D printer nozzle.

	My thought is to use a more shallow extrusion screw that will soften the plastic enough to make it flow but not yet heat the material to its printing temperature.		My thought is to use a more shallow extrusion screw that will soften the plastic enough to make it flow but not yet heat the material to its printing temperature.

	The reason you use a compression screw at all is to get a greater mixing action in the particles you feed into the screw. Augers don't provide as consistent results becuase of the lack of mixing.		The reason you use a compression screw at all is to get a greater mixing action in the particles you feed into the screw. Augers don't provide as consistent results becuase of the lack of mixing.

	There are many things I want to learn with the screw machine		There are many things I want to learn with the screw machine

	I have also been considering multiple improvements to the Universal Frame		I have also been considering multiple improvements to the Universal Frame

	The current combo of 3D printed plastic with rebar members is not suitably stiff enough for my needs.		The current combo of 3D printed plastic with rebar members is not suitably stiff enough for my needs.

	On the OSE wiki, Marcin laid out plans for a large workshop structure consisting entirely of welded rebar box trusses: https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/Large_Workshop_Structure		On the OSE wiki, Marcin laid out plans for a large workshop structure consisting entirely of welded rebar box trusses: https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/Large_Workshop_Structure
	Large Workshop Structure		Large Workshop Structure

	I want to miniaturize that design to work as a machine frame on the D3D Mega that is my next planned build		I want to miniaturize that design to work as a machine frame on the D3D Mega that is my next planned build

	I am also going to experiment with both concrete-filled truss and aerocrete-filled truss. The youtuber Nighthawkinlight recently released a simple recipe to make aerocrete using xanthan gum, liquid dish detergent, a small amount of alcohol, water, and portland cement.		I am also going to experiment with both concrete-filled truss and aerocrete-filled truss. The youtuber Nighthawkinlight recently released a simple recipe to make aerocrete using xanthan gum, liquid dish detergent, a small amount of alcohol, water, and portland cement.
	The advantages of aerocrete are that it's up to 60% lighter that normal concrete, and the trapped air that makes it lighter can act as a closed or open cell foam insulation material
			The advantages of aerocrete are that it's up to 60% lighter that normal concrete, and the trapped air that makes it lighter can act as a closed or open cell foam insulation material.
	Being rock, it's somewhat heat and fire tolerant. I'm interested in a furnace/stove cement version for extreme temperature conditions.		Being rock, it's somewhat heat and fire tolerant. I'm interested in a furnace/stove cement version for extreme temperature conditions.
	That's important for the D3D Pro and D3D Mega, because both have planned improvements to include a high temperature heated chamber. With enough planning ahead, I'm expecting that the chamber could reach kiln levels of hot		That's important for the D3D Pro and D3D Mega, because both have planned improvements to include a high temperature heated chamber. With enough planning ahead, I'm expecting that the chamber could reach kiln levels of hot.
	That unlocks engineering filaments, high temp recycled mixed plastic blends, annealing on the print bed, glazing pottery or 3D printed ceramics
			That unlocks engineering filaments, high temp recycled mixed plastic blends, annealing on the print bed, glazing pottery or 3D printed ceramics.

	Here is a relevant expired patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6722872B1/en		Here is a relevant expired patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6722872B1/en
	Instead of a metal enclosure like this one, it's cheaper and more attainable to use a high temp refractory concrete (primarily aluminum and silicon oxides) or another material that can withstand high temps		Instead of a metal enclosure like this one, it's cheaper and more attainable to use a high temp refractory concrete (primarily aluminum and silicon oxides) or another material that can withstand high temps.

	I purchased some porcelain floor tiles to test their durability in a chamber that's at least 500*C		I purchased some porcelain floor tiles to test their durability in a chamber that's at least 500*C
	My searches online for "porcelain exploding at high temp" yielded few results so hopefully that'll go well		My searches online for "porcelain exploding at high temp" yielded few results so hopefully that'll go well
	One other thing that needs improving is the heated bed. I'm hoping that my non-explosive floor tiles will serve as a tough and flat surface that will last in the high heat.		One other thing that needs improving is the heated bed. I'm hoping that my non-explosive floor tiles will serve as a tough and flat surface that will last in the high heat.
	I grabbed a 24"x24" polished tile from Menards for the build plate		I grabbed a 24"x24" polished tile from Menards for the build plate.
	I'm debating between improving on the current halogen lightbulb design or switching back to the previous 2018 era design that used nichrome wire
	The nichrome wire design was discontinued because it usually wore out the windings at the connection points		I'm debating between improving on the current halogen lightbulb design or switching back to the previous 2018 era design that used nichrome wire.
	While ~~persuing~~ videos on kiln design, I found that you can twist nichrome wire together with a few shorter strands to make a lower temp and lower resistance section that you can then screw into a high temperature screw terminal from ole reliable McMaster Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/5602T21/		The nichrome wire design was discontinued because it usually wore out the windings at the connection points.
			While perusing videos on kiln design, I found that you can twist nichrome wire together with a few shorter strands to make a lower temp and lower resistance section that you can then screw into a high temperature screw terminal from ole reliable McMaster Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/5602T21/

	Nichrome wire is dead cheap compared to halogen lightbulbs and is usually considered a consumable. That being said... lightbulbs are much easier for an end user to change than a big nichrome wire. I'd love feedback on that from you all		Nichrome wire is dead cheap compared to halogen lightbulbs and is usually considered a consumable. That being said... lightbulbs are much easier for an end user to change than a big nichrome wire. I'd love feedback on that from you all
	~~I'm also bumping up to 1/2" aluminum round stock and tube stock for motion axes on the D3D Mega build~~
	~~For increased rigidity I have been thinking about moving from the polymer bearings to three roller bearings on each rod in the axis~~
	~~That will leave space for me to mount the 1/2" round stock directly to the frame along its length using countersunk screw holes~~

	~~Big ole~~ changes summary:		I'm also bumping up to 1/2" aluminum round stock and tube stock for motion axes on the D3D Mega build.
			For increased rigidity I have been thinking about moving from the polymer bearings to three roller bearings on each rod in the axis.
			That will leave space for me to mount the 1/2" round stock directly to the frame along its length using countersunk screw holes.

			'''Proposed changes summary:'''

	Extruder		Extruder

Alexa: Add my recent thoughts that I also shared on the OSE Discord

2025-12-21T09:39:18Z

Add my recent thoughts that I also shared on the OSE Discord

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:39, 21 December 2025
Line 2:		Line 2:

	<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>		<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>
			==Sunday Dec 21, 2025==
			I have been preoccupied with thinking about this and other lovely projects, so I'm popping in to share my recent thoughts.
			The Appropedia wiki has plans for an open source compression screw grinding machine.
			Here's the relevant video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P7IGj5Wa7k
			Wiki Entry: https://www.appropedia.org/Open-Source_Grinding_Machine_for_Compression_Screw_Manufacturing/
			Design Files: https://osf.io/ev6ta/
			Additionally, there's a case study into a bootstrapping a business with 4-5 different revenue streams: https://www.appropedia.org/Making_the_Tools_to_Do-It-Together:_Open-source_Compression_Screw_Manufacturing_Case_Study
			All of this is to say, I'm looking into building one of these machines because I want to experiment with small extrusion screw extruders for my next version of the D3D printer
			I want to use a small extrusion screw to act as a preheating stage for pellets/regrind to enter a normal 2.85mm V6/Volcano/Supervolcano 3D printer nozzle.
			My thought is to use a more shallow extrusion screw that will soften the plastic enough to make it flow but not yet heat the material to its printing temperature.
			The reason you use a compression screw at all is to get a greater mixing action in the particles you feed into the screw. Augers don't provide as consistent results becuase of the lack of mixing.
			There are many things I want to learn with the screw machine
			I have also been considering multiple improvements to the Universal Frame
			The current combo of 3D printed plastic with rebar members is not suitably stiff enough for my needs.
			On the OSE wiki, Marcin laid out plans for a large workshop structure consisting entirely of welded rebar box trusses: https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/Large_Workshop_Structure
			Large Workshop Structure
			I want to miniaturize that design to work as a machine frame on the D3D Mega that is my next planned build
			I am also going to experiment with both concrete-filled truss and aerocrete-filled truss. The youtuber Nighthawkinlight recently released a simple recipe to make aerocrete using xanthan gum, liquid dish detergent, a small amount of alcohol, water, and portland cement.
			The advantages of aerocrete are that it's up to 60% lighter that normal concrete, and the trapped air that makes it lighter can act as a closed or open cell foam insulation material
			Being rock, it's somewhat heat and fire tolerant. I'm interested in a furnace/stove cement version for extreme temperature conditions.
			That's important for the D3D Pro and D3D Mega, because both have planned improvements to include a high temperature heated chamber. With enough planning ahead, I'm expecting that the chamber could reach kiln levels of hot
			That unlocks engineering filaments, high temp recycled mixed plastic blends, annealing on the print bed, glazing pottery or 3D printed ceramics
			Here is a relevant expired patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6722872B1/en
			Instead of a metal enclosure like this one, it's cheaper and more attainable to use a high temp refractory concrete (primarily aluminum and silicon oxides) or another material that can withstand high temps
			I purchased some porcelain floor tiles to test their durability in a chamber that's at least 500*C
			My searches online for "porcelain exploding at high temp" yielded few results so hopefully that'll go well
			One other thing that needs improving is the heated bed. I'm hoping that my non-explosive floor tiles will serve as a tough and flat surface that will last in the high heat.
			I grabbed a 24"x24" polished tile from Menards for the build plate
			I'm debating between improving on the current halogen lightbulb design or switching back to the previous 2018 era design that used nichrome wire
			The nichrome wire design was discontinued because it usually wore out the windings at the connection points
			While persuing videos on kiln design, I found that you can twist nichrome wire together with a few shorter strands to make a lower temp and lower resistance section that you can then screw into a high temperature screw terminal from ole reliable McMaster Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/5602T21/
			Nichrome wire is dead cheap compared to halogen lightbulbs and is usually considered a consumable. That being said... lightbulbs are much easier for an end user to change than a big nichrome wire. I'd love feedback on that from you all
			I'm also bumping up to 1/2" aluminum round stock and tube stock for motion axes on the D3D Mega build
			For increased rigidity I have been thinking about moving from the polymer bearings to three roller bearings on each rod in the axis
			That will leave space for me to mount the 1/2" round stock directly to the frame along its length using countersunk screw holes

			Big ole changes summary:

			Extruder
			--Add compression screw pre-melt stage for pellet and regrind
			--Add load cell/strain gauges as mounting points for the extruder for nozzle touch sensing
			--Add a toolhead board for controlling all of the functions
			--Add mounting plate for quick extruder change/future multi tool head setups

			Universal Axis
			--Increase rod diameter
			--Add mounting points for Y & Z axis stabilization
			--Add roller bearings to the carriage

			Universal Frame
			--Remove 3D printed corners
			--Use welded rebar truss for members
			--Use U-bolts for attaching members together and mounting components to the frame
			--Cast concrete into each truss to dampen vibration and include threaded inserts/nuts, U-bolts, or other hardware (optional)

			Fast Heated Bed
			--Replace steel bed surface with porcelain floor tile (tbd if this works)
			--Increase heating power of bed with either nichrome wire or many halogen lightbulbs
			--Increase thermal mass of the bed via filling with sand or possibly casting custom aerocrete panels for nichrome coils
			--Use high temperature terminal blocks

			Universal Controller
			--Add toolhead board(s)
			--Add more solid state relays to enable zone control in the heated bed
			-- Use larger enclosure with removable mounting plate and cable management area
			--Add a small touchscreen for full printer control at point of operation (optional)

			Heated Chamber
			--Add heated chamber
			--Use rebar truss, high termperature aerocrete/firebrick/porcelain tile (best results tbd)
			--Use nichrome or halogen lightbulb heating elements in the bottom of the chamber for active heating
			--Use small metal fans for air circulation (motors can be externally mounted)
			--Use welding blanket as a flexible baffle on top of the chamber (see here for more options: https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/Open_Source_High_Temperature_3D_Printer_Requirements_%2B_Value_Proposition)

			I should emphasize that these are planned changes and are not actually things I have done. They therefore are not recommendations but rather future experiments. :)









	==Thu Aug 15, 2024==		==Thu Aug 15, 2024==

Alexa at 05:54, 15 August 2024

2024-08-15T05:54:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:54, 15 August 2024
Line 2:		Line 2:

	<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>		<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>

			==Thu Aug 15, 2024==
			[[D3D Pro v23.12 Data Collection]]

	==Fri June 21, 2024==		==Fri June 21, 2024==

Alexa: /* Fri June 21, 2024 */

2024-06-21T09:49:46Z

Fri June 21, 2024

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:49, 21 June 2024
Line 30:		Line 30:
	* Warping and delamination (test print)		* Warping and delamination (test print)
	* Noise (dB)		* Noise (dB)

			I have also ordered and received most of the parts for the next printer build of v23.12. I will be using some different BOM part choices from the first build. A few of the 'new' parts are updated 3D printed parts. I will be uploading those files at [[D3D Pro v23.12 3D CAD]].

	==Mon May 20, 2024==		==Mon May 20, 2024==

Alexa: /* Fri June 21, 2024 */

2024-06-21T09:32:08Z

Fri June 21, 2024

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:32, 21 June 2024
Line 26:		Line 26:
	* Printing results/Start success (failure rate, %) (min. 2 Sigma prior to any sales)		* Printing results/Start success (failure rate, %) (min. 2 Sigma prior to any sales)
	* "Benchy" test print included with each printer		* "Benchy" test print included with each printer
			* Skew (mm/m)
	~~Additionally I will collect data on skew~~ (mm/m)~~, overhangs~~ (~~degrees~~)~~, warping~~ and delamination (test print)~~, and noise~~ (db) ~~as you recommend.~~		* Overhang performance (angle)
			* Warping and delamination (test print)
			* Noise (dB)

	==Mon May 20, 2024==		==Mon May 20, 2024==

Alexa at 09:29, 21 June 2024

2024-06-21T09:29:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:29, 21 June 2024
Line 11:		Line 11:
	* Max Temps (Deg. C/ Deg. F)		* Max Temps (Deg. C/ Deg. F)
	* Max movement of all axes (mm)		* Max movement of all axes (mm)
	* Input shaping settings (frequencies, damping factors, etc. -		* Input shaping settings (frequencies, damping factors, etc. - usually unique to each machine but this will be a ballpark for others)
	usually
	unique to each machine but this will be a ballpark for others)
	* Pressure Advance (K-factor, also ballpark)		* Pressure Advance (K-factor, also ballpark)
	* Axis backlash for all axes (mm)		* Axis backlash for all axes (mm)
Line 20:		Line 18:
	* Max acceleration (mm/s^2)		* Max acceleration (mm/s^2)
	* Max jerk (mm/s^3)		* Max jerk (mm/s^3)
	* Max volumetric flowrate (mm^3/s) (filament specific, but again		* Max volumetric flowrate (mm^3/s) (filament specific, but again ballpark)
	ballpark)		* Bed leveling mesh data (mesh output) (need to ensure that the printers don't have wildly warped beds - need to test limits of warp somehow)
	* Bed leveling mesh data (mesh output) (need to ensure that the
	printers
	don't have wildly warped beds - need to test limits of warp
	somehow)
	* Bed max lift before belt skipping (g or kg)		* Bed max lift before belt skipping (g or kg)
	* Total machine cost (BOM, labor, packaging, etc.)		* Total machine cost (BOM, labor, packaging, etc.)
	* Filament used in machine's printed parts (g)		* Filament used in machine's printed parts (g)
	* Count of each part (for BOM)		* Count of each part (for BOM)
	* Printing results/Start success (failure rate, %) (min. 2 Sigma		* Printing results/Start success (failure rate, %) (min. 2 Sigma prior to any sales)
	prior
	to any sales)
	* "Benchy" test print included with each printer		* "Benchy" test print included with each printer

	Additionally I will collect data on skew (mm/m), overhangs		Additionally I will collect data on skew (mm/m), overhangs (degrees), warping and delamination (test print), and noise (db) as you recommend.
	(degrees),
	warping and delamination (test print), and noise (db) as you
	recommend.

	==Mon May 20, 2024==		==Mon May 20, 2024==

Alexa: Updating log with activities from past month

2024-06-21T09:28:09Z

Updating log with activities from past month

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:28, 21 June 2024
Line 2:		Line 2:

	<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>		<html><iframe width="600" height="280" src="https://osedev.org/wiki/Alexa"></iframe></html>

			==Fri June 21, 2024==
			I'm back with updates!

			I have been working on the printer in my spare time all month long, gradually performing upgrades and ironing out issues. I will do my best to compile the technical aspects of my notes for this past month at [[D3D Pro v23.12 Data Collection]]. I have yet to begin more structured/formal data collection on the printer, but I have a shortlist of things I will be testing for:


			* Max Temps (Deg. C/ Deg. F)
			* Max movement of all axes (mm)
			* Input shaping settings (frequencies, damping factors, etc. -
			usually
			unique to each machine but this will be a ballpark for others)
			* Pressure Advance (K-factor, also ballpark)
			* Axis backlash for all axes (mm)
			* Build time (hours, minutes)
			* Max speeds (mm/s)
			* Max acceleration (mm/s^2)
			* Max jerk (mm/s^3)
			* Max volumetric flowrate (mm^3/s) (filament specific, but again
			ballpark)
			* Bed leveling mesh data (mesh output) (need to ensure that the
			printers
			don't have wildly warped beds - need to test limits of warp
			somehow)
			* Bed max lift before belt skipping (g or kg)
			* Total machine cost (BOM, labor, packaging, etc.)
			* Filament used in machine's printed parts (g)
			* Count of each part (for BOM)
			* Printing results/Start success (failure rate, %) (min. 2 Sigma
			prior
			to any sales)
			* "Benchy" test print included with each printer

			Additionally I will collect data on skew (mm/m), overhangs
			(degrees),
			warping and delamination (test print), and noise (db) as you
			recommend.

	==Mon May 20, 2024==		==Mon May 20, 2024==

Alexa at 11:26, 20 May 2024

2024-05-20T11:26:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:26, 20 May 2024
Line 5:		Line 5:
	==Mon May 20, 2024==		==Mon May 20, 2024==
	[[D3D Pro v23.12 Data Collection]]		[[D3D Pro v23.12 Data Collection]]

	==Thu May 9, 2024==		==Thu May 9, 2024==
	Since Saturday I have been working on the 3D printer. I have probably spent over 40 hours on the project this week, but I will have to check all of my notes and upload the grand total. I will be updating the printer data and build information at [[D3D Pro v23.12 Data Collection]]. This has been a blast!		Since Saturday I have been working on the 3D printer. I have probably spent over 40 hours on the project this week, but I will have to check all of my notes and upload the grand total. I will be updating the printer data and build information at [[D3D Pro v23.12 Data Collection]]. This has been a blast!