Rob Kirk Log
Wednesday Jan 29, 2014
Chris Arrived. Great discussions on everything from details of workshops to larger philosophy questions. Some important discussion points (in no particular order):
Nature and "promise" of experimental workshops Necessary infrastructure and tools for workshops. Positioning to the world of workshops - open source etc. DPV's in the new model San Diego connectivity for workshops and builds
Driving with Emily Aiken to San Diego this morning for meetings with Scott and Jerry.
Tuesday Jan 28, 2014
Further San Diego planning. Communication with Jerry Miller, Scott Murray's partner: Hi all, I am Scott’s partner in the Encinitas EAT center. I would like to find out a little more about your workshop interests. We are working on a Farm Shed (Work Shop/Storage) facility. (See attached concept drawings). The idea is to use this facility for not only a place to begin building our various farm structures and components but also as a workshop field station. A base of operations so to speak for the general surrounding community. We are partnered with a local architectural firm and are working on multiple projects for the EAT center/farm. If you are interested in investing in this Farm Shed with us, we could explore arranging a series of on-going projects &/or workshops. The building codes in California are quite strict and this project is on State owned public school property, further complicating the process. The reason for using a shipping container Farm Shed is to expedite something on site to work from while permits and other regulatory approvals are being processed. We presented the idea to OSE last year on setting up a makers work shop here. We decided to move forward with this concept and plan to go for State Approval sometime next week. Let me know your thoughts. We may want to reroute your tour so I could be present to discuss real time opportunities at the EAT site. Jerry Miller
Monday Jan 27, 2014
Planning San Diego trip for Thursday. Communication with Scott Murray. Discuss to include workshop opportunities. Hello Robert: I look forward to meeting Chris. I will invite my partner Jerry Miller to join us if he is available. I would suggest that we start at 10:30 at our farm. Then we will move 7 miles to lunch at Ciao which has a fine Italian buffet. Then we can drive to the Encinitas site and tour our school site.
This way you can take the 210 east to the 15 south and exit to the farm 1.2 miles west on Gopher Canyon... at 1319 Tarek Terrace, Vista Ca. We will head west down Gopher Canyon to lunch, which is fast, easy and wonderful... From Ciao it is a 20 minute drive on hwy 78 to hwy 5 south to Encinitas Blvd at 2 miles east of hwy 5 at 499 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, Ca. Then it is a nice afternoon drive up hwy 5 against some of the traffic back to Burbank.
There is a suggested agenda for the day, Let me know what you think? Scott
Sunday Jan 26, 2014
Completed first draft of 3D Printer promo script. Need feedback and advice.
Saturday Jan 25, 2014
Strategy session with Chris about his "deep thoughts" email
Preliminary "language" ideas for workshop promo/pitch:
Open to Everyone Open for Everyone Open to You Open for You
Powerful Tools to Fuel the Next Industrial Revolution Democratizing Innovation Empowering People to Make Their Ideas Empowering People to Build Their Dreams Empowering People to Create Their Dreams Empowering People to Make Their Dream Real Freedom to Make Things Change the Way You Think New way of Designing, Creating and Manufacturing
Collaborative Learning Collaborative Design Collaborative Innovation Collaborative Network
Please more ideas...
Thursday Jan 23, 2014
-- Meeting with Yann re: Microcar:
Good meeting. Feels like there are still many technological hurdles. Goal is create the first function prototype... probably to be considered v0.5. Essentially a proof of concept. -- From there it can be quickly improved and hopefully be incorporated in the workshop model. -- Concerns are mechatronic safety, hydraulics/ front suspension and especially the power electronics.
Yann has a fantastic idea of a fully integrate portable power pack for v1.0... but definitely needs professional technical assistance. Idea is essentially a removable "suitcase" that includes these electronics. This can be easily removed and transported inside for recharging. This helps so the challenges of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. He's envisioning a magnetic connection for easy portability. At v1.0 then hopefully move into the Kit form... also at this point he has excellent plans for crowd funding, somewhat along the line of TrueFans... and avoid needing Kickstarter or Indigogo.
-- Planning with Chris. Added second San Diego trip to his visit to see Frank Golbeck.
-- Revised answers from Jeff Moe:
• I'd like to get a handle on the capabilities of the KIT, as compared to the new TAZ 3. You had mentioned it doesn't have the digital display. Does it have untethered printing? Does it compare to he earlier TAZ, such as the version reviewed in the Make Magazine 3D Printer edition (attached)
The kit at this point doesn't fully exist, outside of the BOM and we've ordered parts for maybe 200 kits or so. We left out what we thought would save significant money, that wasn't necessary to have a good printer. This was why the GLCD was left out. It can also be added separately. Or, we could just include it in the kit, if you think it should really be in there. The kit is a new deal for us, so feedback welcome. Let us know what you want to see and we'll do what we can to make it happen.
• Can the “missing” elements be added to the Kit if the customer wants the upgrade?
This would be the goal. It is difficult to maintain full stock of all the parts though. It is all fully open though, as you've seen, so parts can be sourced from other vendors as well. Plus, since it is open, alternative parts can be easily used.
• In my notes, I had the Kit price as $638. Is that correct? If the upgrades are possible, how much would that add?
I don't have a final bom cost. But that is probably in the ball park. The kit will be under $1k even with bells/whistles added, I'm pretty sure. Note, we also need to include things like boxing & bagging, etc. and we do really good packaging, but it costs…
• Is end of March still look like a likely timeframe for the Kits to be ready?
Yes. We should be able to hit that. But you have to let us know what kind of volume you are talking here.
• Big Question – It would be fantastic to come learn it, but for the first Workshops we would love to have a Lulzbot person be there as an expert instructor. Would it be possible to hire you, or one of your associates to join us? We're envisioning about 2 1/2 days for the workshops. We'd like to have the attendees build and then be able to troubleshoot the printer. We'll also include material on modeling, print software etc. — We hope to customize the workshops based on where we are going.
Probably not me, though it would be nice. Where/when would the workshop take place (date/address)? We may be able to do something. Do you have equipment etc to make it into good videos?
• It looks like we may be getting a lot of interest from college architecture programs. Are there any special “selling points” you see for that audience?
The TAZ can print big in materials like Laybrick. That's nice for architects. I can see why they are interested--making models of all sizes is awesome. I printed a teeny to giant and every step in between of the Vanderbilt Mansion, they look really cool. You can paint ABS easily with acrylics and whatnot, drill it, work it, etc. Plus lots of materials are available, even wood. Magic machine wooooo
• MOST IMPORTANT. We want to be sure we design this so it's advantageous to you. Please think about how our Workshop programs can best benefit you.
By making clear documentation, including videos would be ideal. Something that you can really watch on the Internet, not just youtube shots. More like a structured program, and less like a howto. Then finding out wtf people are doing with their machines that is cool/interesting and we can help promote that, particularly if they are free/open system folks. Just grow the ecosystem.
We don't have any projection yet, but we're having some meeting now that may give us more info.
Ok.
I think that's it, until I think of a bunch more…
Thanks so much and I'm happy to call you or others if that's easier for you than writing this out.
No problem. Sry it took so long to get to it though. Feel free to ask any other questions.
Wednesday Jan 22, 2014
Travel back to LA. Begin 3DP Video script.
Tuesday Jan 21, 2014
Planning with Chris
Monday Jan 20, 2014
Transfer Smartsheet data to Google Spreadsheet
Sunday Jan 19, 2014
Travel to NY. Planned to meet with Marcin but his schedule too tight.
Sat Jan 18, 2014
Discussed Smartsheet and Google Docs with Marcin. Will transfer the materials to the Google docs.
Friday January 17, 2014
Good response to my questions from Jeff Moe:
• I'd like to get a handle on the capabilities of the KIT, as compared to the new TAZ 3. You had mentioned it doesn't have the digital display. Does it have untethered printing? Does it compare to he earlier TAZ, such as the version reviewed in the Make Magazine 3D Printer edition (attached)
It is basically the same thing, except we excluded the GLCD panel. That can be added later, no problem. The panel also has the SDCard, so it would need to be connected to a computer to print. That said, we can change the kit to include the LCD too, if it is really needed. We just thought kit people would try to save as much as possible and that can add $100 or something.
• Can the “missing” elements be added to the Kit if the customer wants the upgrade?
Yes.
• In my notes, I had the Kit price as $638. Is that correct? If the upgrades are possible, how much would that add?
That sounds ballpark about right. We'll see if we can do better.
• Is end of March still look like a likely timeframe for the Kits to be ready?
Yes.
• Big Question – It would be fantastic to come learn it, but for the first Workshops we would love to have a Lulzbot person be there as an expert instructor. Would it be possible to hire you, or one of your associates to join us? We're envisioning about 2 1/2 days for the workshops. We'd like to have the attendees build and then be able to troubleshoot the printer. We'll also include material on modeling, print software etc. — We hope to customize the workshops based on where we are going.
That sounds interesting, but we probably won't have the manpower to go send you someone. You are more than welcome to come visit here.
• It looks like we may be getting a lot of interest from college architecture programs. Are there any special “selling points” you see for that audience?
Scale. :) The material “laybrick” (which we sell) is a good architecture material.
More with Dan Benamy this morning on Wiki organization, especially "Get Involved" section. --- Also discussed A/B testing for what we put up on the site... very interesting.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Exciting phone meeting with Scott Murray and Emily Aiken about San Diego workshops. Scott's school campus in Encinitas is ready and approved by State (less than 2 hours south of LA...near 5 Freeway). His goal is to "inspire minds across all ages" -- Wants to combine Agro-Ecology with Innovation Technology. -- Has 4 classrooms, restrooms, plenty of land... not fancy... I'll be visiting on January 30. - Great access to students. Also discussed other OSE collaborations. More to come.
Meeting with Dan Benamy. Tested BOM Generator for Dozuki guides. Working very well! -- also discussed his ideas for Wiki cleanup and his templates he's created. Excellent work. --- Further meeting today.
Wednesday January 15, 2014
Discussions with Chris about his meetings at Ball State. It looks like including 3D printing workshops for them would be viable. Architecture department very interested. - Discussed Chris coming to the 3D Printer Expo as well.
Continued workshop prep
Tuesday January 14, 2014
Questions for Lulzbot (awaiting response from Jeff)
• I'd like to get a handle on the capabilities of the KIT, as compared to the new TAZ 3. You had mentioned it doesn't have the digital display. Does it have untethered printing? (I'd imagine it doesn't). Does it compare to the earlier TAZ, such as the version reviewed in the Make Magazine 3D Printer edition
• Can the "missing" elements be added to the Kit if the customer wants the upgrade?
• In my notes, I had the Kit price as $638. Is that correct? If the upgrades are possible, how much would that add?
• Does end of March still look like a likely timeframe for the Kits to be ready?
• Big Question - It would be fantastic to come learn it, but for the first Workshops we would love to have a Lulzbot person be there as an expert instructor. Would it be possible to hire you, or one of your associates to join us? We're envisioning about 2 1/2 days for the workshops. We'd like to have the attendees build and then be able to troubleshoot the printer. We'll also include material on modeling, print software etc. -- We hope to customize the workshops based on where we are going.
• It looks like we may be getting a lot of interest from college architecture programs. Are there any special "selling points" you see for that audience?
• MOST IMPORTANT. We want to be sure we design this so it's advantageous to you. Please think about how our Workshop programs can best benefit you.
Monday January 13, 2014
Worked with Emily on some great "look and feel" ideas for OSE and Workshops.
From Emily:
Hi Rob…
Look at each of these links carefully. This guy and his partner should be crafting the OSE look and feel.
http://www.oliverjeffers.com/projects/collage
http://www.oliverjeffers.com/projects/sketchbook
http://www.oliverjeffers.com/projects/clocks-on-wood
http://www.oliverjeffers.com/projects/a-world-with-coffee
http://www.oliverjeffers.com/projects/book
Sunday January 12, 2014
UPDATED LINKS TO WORK PRODUCT:
WORKSHOP - OVERALL BUSINESS MODEL/PHILOSOPHY
3D PRINTER CURRICULUM WORKSHEET
3D PRINTER SMARTSHEET (only the secured shared version)
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/home?lx=j5h2TJTH0QUXZrNVN9--bg
3D PRINTER SPREADSHEET ON WIKI (for now, just showing the MicroCar Worksheet as example of embedded Smartsheet)
3D Printing Workshop Development Spreadsheet
Saturday January 11, 2014
Wrote a lot about possible "Workshop Company" business model/philosophy. Please see google doc I shared:
Fri Jan 10
Rob - please post links to work product on your log, as I am not able to provide any substantive feedback. One comment on foldable kit: this has not been developed, we need to stick to proven models if our timeline for the first workshop is end of March. - Aloha:)
HI. Please review the Smartsheet and Google Doc I shared with you as they are my working documents that change throughout the day.
Wednesday January 8, 2014
More talks with Chris about workshop technique, based on his recent experiences.
Tuesday January 7, 2014
Moving OHAI Kit documentation into Dozuki
Monday January 6, 2014
Develop two curriculum tracks for Workshops.
1. Kit Build
2. Assumes access to 3D printer already. 3D Printing training... more focus on creating model and printing techniques.
Friday January 3, 2014
Long talks with Chris regarding folding a 3D Printer Workshop into the Ball State week. May be a safer first Workshop.
Thursday January 2, 2014
Continuing compiling and reseaching 3D printing