![3d printer in the learning factory 3d printer in the learning factory](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UU8FMTHMIQ8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Everything that goes into the TAZ 6 is free as in freedom-the firmware that drives it, the parts that compose it, the software that controls it-there is no secret sauce in this printer. There is a reason that it is “Earth's highest rated desktop 3D printer," and that reason is freedom. I am a huge fan of the Lulzbot printers, and the TAZ 6, released in 2016, is no different.
#3d printer in the learning factory license
Lauerman built upon existing open source 3D clay print head designs, and as a result, he remained committed to releasing all of his designs under an open source license so that others could print and improve upon his design. Unlike some academic printer projects, the Bricoleur Clay Extruder wasn't built from scratch, patented, documented in an academic paper that few would ever read, and then shelved in a dusty basement on campus. Lauerman, an assistant professor at Penn State, designed his own 3D printer in collaboration with the University's Learning Factory program and the Center for Innovative Material Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D). A few use more exotic materials, such as sugar or chocolate, but Tom Lauerman wanted to use clay. Most 3D printers use plastic filament or resin. Lots of people agreed, as this easily got funded via Kickstarter, reaching 855% of their goal.
![3d printer in the learning factory 3d printer in the learning factory](https://www.solidsmack.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/prusa-3d-printer-factory-tour-00.jpg)
Although this innovative board will have a big impact on a number of different electronics projects, the fact that this can be a drop-in addition to most 3D printers makes it very exciting to me. Their vision is to be the “Arduino for mechatronics". Mechaduino is an open source industrial servo control platform that provides a combination of the low cost of mass-produced stepper motors with high-resolution accuracy. Enter Tropical Labs and their Mechaduino. To get accuracy, you usually want to use industrial servo motors, but they aren't cheap or simple. The motors are cheap and simple, but not terribly accurate. The motors turn belts, which cause the printer to move in three dimensions. (CC BY-SA 4.0) MechaduinoģD printers are usually powered by NEMA stepper motors. For a deeper dive into how it works, learn more on the Prusa Printers site, or watch this video: Hackaday.io. There's a lot more math and engineering to explain how all of this works, but the end result is better prints every time, all powered with open source firmware and hardware. This technique is called mesh bed leveling and it eliminates most (if not all) imperfections in the bed. It uses the same input to determine the Z height at all of the calibration points and adjust as needed.
![3d printer in the learning factory 3d printer in the learning factory](https://3dprintingindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/FABtotum-3d-printer-factory.jpg)
This allows the printer to recalculate and adjust for any skew. The printer uses nine special calibration points on the printer bed, combined with a probe that detects those points, then determines the deviation (if any) on the X and Y axes. This means that you no longer have to be as concerned about how precisely the printer is assembled or calibrated-the firmware included in the printer will do everything it can to ensure that the prints come out perfect. In 2016, the Prusa I3 MK2 3D printer was released, and it is the first printer to correct its geometry in all axes automatically. Josef Průša is one of the core developers of the RepRap project, and the line of printers that bears his name continues to get better and better, without sacrificing any of the open source goodness that makes it possible. Here are a few of my favorite open source 3D printing innovations from 2016: Prusa i3 MK2 Combining that philosophy with free software and open source hardware helps other people participate in improving the objects that it makes, and in making the printers faster, smarter, and cleaner. This makes sense if you stop and think about it-a 3D printer exists to make other things. Tom CallawayOpen source continues to drive rapid innovation in the 3D printing industry. We look back at 3D printing innovations in 2016.