Things to be explored:
Best sources for low-cost off-the-shelf
- motors -- Stepper, servo? DIY servo from RC hobby motors?
- Air pump (partially answered, see here.)
- air filters / dessicators
- position encoders
- linear bearings
- electric automotive jack (for vertical axis) and alternatives
- Canvas
- heating elements
Post processing technologies for printed sugar sculptures
- sandblasting (sugarblasting)
- ultrasonic cleaning and deburring
- vibratory polishing
- rock candification
- sugar "laquering" with a candy coating
- wax dipping
- heat annealing - Kitchen oven?
- investment casting: Plaster, wax, aluminum, steel, pewter, bronze
- plastic clear coats
Software
- "Plug and play" software with graphical user interface that is open source,
cross-platform, and good.
- File conversion utilities
- Adjustable hinting and thermal modelling
- Design of vector tool paths; selection of language (G code?)
- Compensation for typical printing anomalies during slicing?
- Automatic pseudo annealing for crack resistance in high-CTE materials
- Selection of appropriate open-source software license(s)
- Examine existing open-source software tools, e.g., GCAM, LinuxCNC
Different media to try
- Plastics (which types?) We've had success with HDPE, and polypropylene seems to work as well.
- Chocolate
- Waxes (which types?)
- Glasses (Which types?)
- Metals: See Notes on low-melting point metals
Media sources
- Glass shot-- bead blasting media
- Bismuth shot - "lead-free" shotgun shot
- plastic beads (from craft sources)
Kit design
- Is it worthwhile to put together a CandyFab "kit" to sell? Or keep it as a virtual kit with a parts list?
- CNC packages that could be sent to manufactures for custom wood/plastic parts
- CAD formats to be chosen for distribution
CandyFab Reference Designs
- Large-scale off-the-shelf version: The CandyFab 5000s (coming next year!)
- Kitchen-counter scale off-the-shelf version: The CandyFab Junior
Safety
- Fire safety: detection and suppression
- Food safety: What is required to be truly food safe?
Liner design
- Aternative materials to canvas
- All-metal liners for use with high-temperature materials
- Create Fabric/rubber/plastic liners that do not require sewing-- glue parts of rubber raft/raincoat material together?
- Linerless design?
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