Daily project progress.
Recreator MK5 full build.
I'm excited to announce that the Recreator MK5 build is finally complete! This machine is capable of recycling most plastic water bottles into usable filament strands. In a previous post, I mentioned repurposing my old Ender 3 for this project, and I'm pleased to share the full build video above.
While there are limited instructional builds on this machine available on YouTube, I hope this video serves as a helpful resource. Additionally, there's a growing community dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of this machine and addressing challenges related to working with recycled PET filament. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below or on my YouTube channel.
Looking ahead, I have a few follow-up videos planned to demonstrate how to operate the machine and print with recycled bottle filament. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay updated on these upcoming tutorials.
Fontana Artshow
I’m happy to share that I finally had my first solo art show at Fontana’s Community Arts Center, also known as The Art Depo, located in Fontana, California. For those unfamiliar, Fontana is a small city about 45 minutes east of downtown Los Angeles. The show ran from February 17 to March 16 of this year 2024.
Most of the artwork featured in the show was created between 2018 and 2020, with a few exceptions. Originally, I had planned for this exhibition to take place in 2020, but with the onset of COVID-19 and the subsequent quarantine and lockdowns, everything was delayed. As a result, I focused on developing as much new work as I could over the next few years. I’m still in the process of developing this particular style of painting, and there’s more on the way!
It was incredibly meaningful for me to have this show in my hometown. Having been born and raised in Fontana, many of my personal experiences here have greatly influenced my art. Over the years, I’ve also participated in various local events, creating live art and displaying my work. So, it felt amazing to finally hold an official solo show in the city that has been such an important part of my journey.
I want to thank everyone who came out to support the show, especially my family and friends, as well as the staff at The Art Depo and the City of Fontana. It’s always a special experience to bring my loved ones together in one place, especially when I’m sharing my art with my community.
Giant Bot head
I'm excited to share the near-completion of my giant animatronic robot head. The original design was inspired by a full-size robot I'm currently developing. The structure is constructed entirely from wood and PETG filament, providing both durability and flexibility.
Equipped with seven servo motors, the head can turn left and right, blink its eyelids, and move both eyes horizontally. Additionally, the eyebrows can swivel up and down in sync, adding to the expressive capabilities.
At the core of the robot is an Arduino Uno, a popular microcontroller in the DIY robotics community. An ESP8266 chip controls two LED ring lamps in each eye, allowing for customizable colors and lighting effects via a Wi-Fi app accessible from a phone or computer.
While the project is progressing, there's still work to be done. I'm currently designing a mouth mechanism and exploring the integration of AI capabilities to enhance interactivity. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I couldn't produce a full build video for this project, as it was intended to be displayed at Coachella 2024.
I'll continue to post updates here as I develop new parts and work towards completing the robot.
Old Ender 3 Printer to Filament bottle recycle machine.
Repurposing an older Ender 3 to create the Recreator 3D MK5 is an excellent way to recycle PET plastic bottles into usable 3D printing filament. This project not only helps reduce plastic waste but also provides a cost-effective solution for producing filament at home. Printables+7Scribd+7hackaday.io+7
The MK5 kit is designed to convert standard Ender 3 printers into a pultrusion unit capable of stripping and converting PET#1 recyclable plastic bottles into 3D printing filament. The build utilizes most of the existing Ender 3 components, supplemented with some additional printed parts that are pre-designed to fit. This approach makes it accessible for those with basic 3D printing knowledge and tools.
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For your build, you'll need to gather the necessary parts and tools, including the MK5 kit components and any additional materials specified in the build notes. The official Recreator 3D website provides comprehensive resources, including STL files, build instructions, and an operations manual to guide you through the process. Additionally, joining the Recreator 3D community on Facebook and Discord can offer valuable support and insights from fellow builders.
Recreator3D PrintablesPrintables+2joshuartaylor.wixsite.com+2Recreator3D+2Recreator3D
As you progress with your build, documenting the process and sharing updates can be beneficial for others interested in similar projects. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance along the way.
3D PRINTED SHOWER SEAT
I've recently completed a 3D-printed shower seat for my parents' bathroom renovation project. Designed using Shapr3D on my iPad, the seat took approximately 150 hours to print on an Anycubic Cobra Max 3D printer, utilizing 20% infill and a vertical printing orientation. The dimensions were based on an existing fold-down railing my father had previously installed in the shower wall.
This project marks my initial foray into creating functional furniture pieces through 3D printing. The experience has been both challenging and rewarding, and I'm eager to explore more designs in the future.
If you have suggestions for other furniture items or practical household objects that could benefit from 3D printing, please share your ideas in the comments below!
Finishing pieces from 2020 for a show in 2024!
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, I had ample time to focus on my art, leading to the creation of numerous paintings that have since been stored away. Originally, I had planned to showcase these works in 2020; however, the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns delayed those plans. Now, I'm actively working on completing this series for a solo exhibition scheduled for 2024. Please disregard the pieces displayed to the right; they are part of a separate show, details of which I'll share later in 2024.
Welcome!
It all begins with an idea.
Welcome to My Creative Space!
I'm thrilled to unveil my new website, a culmination of time and effort dedicated to showcasing my artistic and 3D printing endeavors. This platform serves as a deeper dive into my projects, offering insights and updates beyond what I've shared on social media.
While my social media channels remain active and will continue to direct followers here, this website provides a more comprehensive look at my work. I'm excited to have you here and hope you find inspiration and connection through my creations.
Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
