Sara Build Certification Outline

Introduction

The Build Certification follows the completion of the OSE Kit Certification in an individual's pursuit of establishing an OSE-recognized Distributed Enterprise for the D3D Printer. It can also be achieved on its own without intention of establishing a Distributed Enterprise.

Relationship of Build Certification to Kit Certification and Distributed Enterprise

An individual may pursue Build Certification in conjunction with, or separate from, Kit Certification. While attaining Kit Certification allows an individual to produce and distribute OSE-recognized Kits, the Build Certification grants additional allowance for an individual to provide customer support to those who have purchased Kits. For those seeking to begin a Distributed Enterprise the Kit Certification, Build Certification and Operations Certification must all be attained and maintained for the duration of the time the individual has the Distributed Enterprise.

One who has achieved these certifications are referred to as follows, respectively for each level of certification:

• Certified Kit Producer
• Certified Builder
• Certified Distributed Enterprise Holder

SUGGESTION: increasing profit margins at each level of certification

OSE vs Independent vs Certified Producer

There are 5 relationships relevant to the question of certification. Certification provides a verified mark of quality endorsed by OSE according to clearly measurable criteria. The 5 scenarios are:

1. OSE-Certified Producer - the producer works with OSE under the OSE brand and under a Licensing Agreement. Producer is required to pass certification. Specific terms are negotiated. This relationship is known as a Licensing Agreement. An OSE producer is required to provide customer support, for which Kit Producer and Builder Certification is required.
2. Independent Producer - If a producer would like to establish an enterprise independent of OSE - they are welcome to do so and do not require OSE permission. This is because the OSE designs are open source. However, the producer cannot use the OSE brand to distinguish their product. OSE's 3D printer then functions as a freely-available, white-label product - and any machines produced in this manner are known as clones. There are no stipulations from OSE how an independent producer runs their business.
3. Independent, Certified Producer - If a producer would like to work under their own, OSE-independent brand - they are welcome to do so as well. In this case, the Producer pays for the Certification (around $1200, which includes one OSE 3D printer which is submitted to OSE and kept by OSE for lifetime testing). Certification is valid for 2 years. The producer submits a one-time fee, sets their own price structure for the 3D printer, and keeps all the profits. The producer in this case can use the OSE-Certified label on their product (like a certification mark), but cannot use the OSE brand for marketing purposes. Certified producers are featured on the OSE website, keep serial numbers of machines produced, and must provide customer records so that customers can be contacted for reviewing the product. If reviews turn negative, OSE will investigate quality control issue and may terminate the certification if quality is inadequate. Certified producers will be invited to an annual conference.
4. Reseller - other enterprises which have marketing capacity may arrange a reseller relationship. In this case, OSE is the producer. Other duties and responsibilities depend on the specific situation.
5. Contract Manufacturer - a relationship may be set up with third parties for producing the product. This is not particularly consistent with local production, but may be considered in some cases.
6. Independent, Certified, OSE Producer - this does not exist - one cannot be independent and work for OSE at the same time.

Prerequisites

The major checkpoint for achieving Build Certification is the ability to reliably assemble a 3D Printer from a Kit within 6 hours. In order to achieve the 6-hour build time, it is recommended an individual practice the following procedures until mastery of each is attained. A successful build will not be completed within 6 hours if many mistakes are made that require going back and repeating steps. It is recommended that Build Certification only be attempted after an individual is confident the following can be achieved comfortably:

• Access to a 5x5' workspace with electric power outlet for 8 hours
• Ability to use OpenCamera on a smartphone - demonstrated by creating a timelapse with the picture rate set to 10 second intervals and compiled using the instructions here: [Open Camera])
• Ability to use JB Kwik Weld effectively so that frame can be assembled securely
• Assembly of the Y-left axis within 9 minutes
• Knowledge of how the Y-right axis differs from the Y-left axis
• Knowledge of how the X-axis differs from the other axes
• Assembly of the Extruder within 25 minutes
• Mounting an axis to the frame within 6 minutes
• Mounting the power supply to the control panel board with zipties within 5 minutes
• Assembling 5 cable chain links together within 30 seconds
• Identifying all cables and where they attach to the RAMPS and/or power supply without referencing documentation
• Working knowledge of the Final Assembly procedure
• Working knowledge of the function of the Z-probe and ability to adjust the Z-offset to achieve perfect first layers through the control panel LCD screen

TODO: Provide video documentation of the recommended procedure for achieving these time frames

Requesting Certification

After achieving mastery of the steps recommended above, an individual can request Build Certification from OSE by completing the following:

• Acquire a Kit by purchasing one from OSE or purchasing the parts independently and submitting Kit Certification for OSE approval
• Create your own copy of the presentation on D3D Build Certification Application and embed on a new page called Your Name D3D Build Certification (Requires a Wiki account; see example)
• Email info@opensourceecology.org with a link to your Build Certification page and a written statement of your intention to pursue Build Certification. Include any comments or feedback on completing the Prerequisites.

Certification Procedure

Acquire Necessary Supplies. In addition to the Kit, the applicant should prepare the following supplies to complete the build:

1. JB weld mixer and applicator - for building frame
2. Crazy glue - for attaching cable chain and end stops
3. Electrical tape - for fixing wires to frame and bundling them
4. Silver sharpie or Masking Tape with Black Sharpie - for marking plugs
5. 0.4 mm needle - for unclogging nozzle
6. Sample PLA filament for initial printing - either 1.75mm or 2.85mm
7. An SD Card containing GCode for printing a Test Cube

Complete the Build Certification Presentation. The Build Certification Presentation is the method by which the applicant submits the required materials for review by OSE. Each module of the Certification is a timed build of a component of the 3D Printer. The final module is the assembly of the printer from the parts prepared in the preceding modules. These modules should be completed one by one in the order laid out in the Build Certification Presentation. In the case where an applicant exceeds the time limit for a module, the applicant should re-build the component, until it can be completed within the time limit.

A completed Build Certification Presentation is ready for submission to OSE when the following have been included by the applicant for each module:

• Timelapse (create using free-to-download smart phone app "Open Camera", follow the Open Camera instructions here, upload to YouTube, then add to Presentation with Insert > Video > By URL)
• Completion photos
• Build time (applicants don't have to do this if we figure out how long each timelapse needs to be to make time limit)

Upon completion of the Build Certification Presentation, email info@opensourceecology.org with a link to your Build Certification page. Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted with any re-work needed to successfully obtain Certification.

Reasonable Accommodations

If needed, applicants are encouraged to arrange alternative Certification requirements with OSE prior to pursuing Certification. For applicants who feel they require additional time for any reason, or are unable to acquire any of the tools or supplies needed to complete Certification, please contact us at info@opensourceecology.org. Any arrangements differing from those outlined on this page must be agreed to in advance by OSE and the applicant.

TODO: deprecate the following sections

The Build Certification Presentation requires the following completion times:

1. Frame assembly within 60 minutes
2. Y-left and Z-back axis assembly within 18 minutes
3. Y-right and Z-front axis assembly within 18 minutes
4. X-axis assembly within 10 minutes
5. Heated bed holder within 6 minutes
6. Extruder assembly within 25 minutes
7. Heated bed assembly within 15 minutes
8. Control panel assembly within 25 minutes

Complete a 6-Hour Build. The individual will then complete the build within 7 hours (6 hours building, 1 hour break) while generating the submission materials needed to receive Certification. The Build Time shall be marked as the time from the beginning of frame assembly to the finish of a Test Cube. The quality of the Test Cube is not vital at this point, but needs to be refined until high quality is achieved for an individual to receive Certification.

Achieve High Quality Prints. After completing the build, the applicant must demonstrate the quality of their build by submitting high quality images of a Test Cube and a 3D Benchy within 3 days following their scheduled build date. As long as a submission is received by OSE within 3 days, OSE will assess the print quality and inform the applicant whether the print passes and Certification is granted. If print quality is not sufficient to grant Certification, the applicant can re-submit images every 3 days until Certification is achieved.

It is noted that if the applicant fails to achieve Certification because of a failure to submit images for consideration, the Build Certification must be restarted from the beginning. The art of refining the 3D Printer to produce prints of high quality requires knowledge and intuition, so applicants are encouraged to practice achieving high quality prints while receiving feedback from OSE until their working knowledge of the printer enables them to confidently operate the printer for the entirety of its lifetime.