Getting Started: The Dream of a Wearable 3d Printed Iron Man Suit
I started 3D printing in 2016 with the dream of creating a wearable Iron Man suit. While that goal remains unfulfilled, I’ve created plenty of exciting projects along the way. 3D printing has helped me bridge my interests of electronics and programming and allowed me to work on robotics projects that I always dreamed of. My first printer was the Monoprice IIIP. Although it had a small print volume, it was affordable and perfect for a beginner.
Exploring New 3D Printers and Upgrades
Over the years, I’ve experimented with several printers, including models from Creality, like the CR-10S and various Ender iterations. One game-changing upgrade came with the Ender-3 E, which introduced me to automatic bed leveling.
Before this, leveling the bed was a tedious process that required adjusting knobs at each corner repeatedly to get the print head just right. Automatic bed leveling simplified this significantly—now, I only need to adjust the z-offset, a single setting on the printer interface.
Tackling Bed Adhesion Challenges
Another challenge I’ve faced is detaching prints from the bed. In the past, I relied on a putty knife to scrape prints off, risking damage to the print, the bed, or even my fingers. Modern printers have solved this issue with magnetic, bendable bed surfaces. These allow you to simply remove the bed, flex it, and pop the print off effortlessly.
Managing Overhangs with Supports
Intricate prints often require supports to handle overhangs or bridges. Supports provide a temporary foundation for unsupported areas during printing. However, removing them can be tricky—sometimes they come off easily, but other times, they leave behind material that needs cleaning up. This step can add extra work, especially for complex designs.
Entering the World of Multi-Material Printing
Recently, I upgraded to the Kobra 3 Combo for multi-material printing. While the obvious benefit is the ability to print in multiple colors, I was surprised by how it simplifies support removal. Using a different material for supports—like water-soluble filament or simply using different materials for the print and the supports, like PLA with PETG—makes the process much easier.
However, there are trade-offs. Multi-material printing (with a single extruder) increases waste and extends print times. Despite this, the Kobra 3 offsets longer prints with its impressive speed. It comfortably prints at 300mm/s, compared to the 80mm/s I used previously. For context, my first printer, the Monoprice IIIP, printed at just 30mm/s. While there are printers that use a separate extruder for each color, eliminating waste, those printers are much more expensive, well over $3,000.
Prioritizing Print Quality
Most of my prints are functional, so I usually don’t focus heavily on aesthetics. But when I achieve a silky smooth finish without post-processing, it’s incredibly satisfying. The Kobra 3 has exceeded my expectations in this area. With features like auto bed leveling, auto z-offset, and resonance compensation, it produces stunning results right out of the box. Resonance compensation reduces vibrations during accelerations and decelerations, ensuring fast and precise prints.
AI-Powered Spaghetti Detection
The Kobra 3 also offers advanced features like AI-driven spaghetti detection (with an optional camera). This technology uses computer vision to monitor prints and detect when something goes wrong, such as the dreaded tangled mess known as spaghetti. Although I haven’t tested this feature yet—the camera is still on its way—I’m excited to see how it works.
Final Thoughts
3D printing has come a long way since I first started, and the journey has been incredibly rewarding. Each new printer and feature has brought more opportunities to create and experiment. With innovations like multi-material printing and AI monitoring, I can’t wait to see where the next chapter of 3D printing will take me.
