Proposal for new forum channel about 3d printing

[jaredyates]

We have a motion and a second proposing a new forum channel for 3d printing Bearhawk parts.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

What should the scope be, should it be about just printing, cad design and 3d printing? Or something else? Should we configure the forum to allow .stl or .3mf file extensions as direct uploads, or just plan to post links to printables and thingiverse types of sites? Should we move old threads on the topic to the new channel, or leave them where they are and just post to the new channel going forward?

Nev FFTravism TJ_Slice whee

[Nev]

Yes I think a channel that is viewable by all members would have merit. It's a growing area that is likely to revolutionise the way we customise many non structural areas of the Bearhawk. Great if we can upload .stl and .3mf files and have them all in one handy place. Feel free to move pertinent threads across as you see fit. Those are my thoughts.

[FFTravism]

I agree with Nev thoughts. If we could upload .stl and .3mf files it would be great. I use printables but something I design I wouldn't mind sharing with the Bearhawk community but not the general public. Plus other sites might go away and then you end up with broken links.
Travis

[TJ_Slice]

I think that is a great idea, but should not be limited to just 3D Printed parts. You could include designs in DXF files that you can send off to a company such as sendcutsend to have parts made. Things like doubler plates for popular antennas, or ELT mounts, etc. I am a big believer in not re-inventing the wheel. If someone else has designed something that works, I would gladly use it.


It should include all things CAD design that people want to share.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

I agree with TJ's comment. 3D printed and CAD-ified accessories would be a useful addition. I'd like to suggest this be more of a repository than a how-do-I-do-this, or what-should-I-use forum. I've seen those get carried away in other venues and it has the potential to become a messy debate. I've watched HBA discussions on these kinds of topics devolve into chaos. But I can be persuaded otherwise if there is a majority viewpoint. Bearhawkers tend to be a respectful bunch, so it may not be an issue. There are endless resources out there for that kind of discussion if the desire is to focus on Bearhawk topics.

EDIT: Upon reflection, maybe "how do I optimize this design for a Bearhawk" or "which filament/resin would be more preferable in a Bearhawk application" would be useful. Focused discussion for our application.

[jaredyates]

One of the reasons that I think it justifies its own forum channel is that it's a topic that doesn't have universal community adoption yet, but it's still growing. I can imagine that there are people who today aren't interested at all in 3D printed parts, but if in another few years, they or one of their friends gets a printer, they might like to come back and find a convenient place for all Bearhawk-related printable stuff.

Along those same lines, somebody who comes into printing and realizes how cool it is might start making PLA parts before they understand that PLA isn't going to work in airplanes, so that type of information, which is basic to soneone who has thought about airplanes but not on the radar of an experienced printer who fdoesn't know planes is going to be important.

What is a good title?

Builder-Designed Parts and 3D Printing
that feels like maybe too broad in the first part and too narrow in the second part

Computer-Designed Parts and Non-traditional Manufacturing
I don't like "non-traditional" here for lots of reasons. What is a phrase that describes what we are talking about?

Digital Fabrication Techniques, Parts, and Files

Sharable Digital Parts and Techniques

Community-Designed Parts, Files, and Techniques

Thoughts?

[FFTravism]

The idea about cad parts for SendCutSend is a great idea.

Names
Builder - Digital Created Parts?
CAD - CNC - 3D Printing?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Combo of a couple of them?

Community-Designed Digital Parts, Files, and Techniques

Along with a short description of the intent of the forum (like ensuring we aren’t here to recreate the airframe ).

I like what I’m seeing so far! And I agree sheet metal parts for the likes of SendCutSend would be enormously valuable!