Author Sandra James
Asking Yourself the Patent Question
As active owners of desktop 3d printers, we inevitably arrive at a point where we ask ourselves about pursuing a patent for something we have invented. Inventiveness is one of the intangibles emanating from frequent use of a desktop 3d printer. Inventions may be insignificant at the beginning; still, the potential for significant ones constantly looms in the background. The more we learn about our machines, designing prints, and 3d printing in general, the closer we get to creations we think are wholly unique. We find ourselves asking, “Should I get a patent for this?” To answer this question, we must determine if our invention qualifies for a patent and if it has commercial potential.
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Save Heat Energy Printing PLA During Summer Months
I designed a coffee table but I dreaded printing parts for it as I didn’t want to create a heat source in my living space during the early dog days of summer. The parts were to be printed on my Prusa MK3s+. The power supply unit (PSU) was on the outside of the enclosure I am building for the printer and I have noticed that it often becomes practically too hot to touch.
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Mahogany Striped Hamper
3D printing gives you the ability to create what you desire and imagine. When I was unable to find a hamper that suited my needs after searching in stores and online for over a year, I designed one. The design went through a few iterations before I settled on making one using Mahogany edge bands and plywood that was leftover from a business venture. This was the second hamper I have made with 3D printed elements. The first was a hamper stool that served its purpose but did not have enough storage space for my current needs.
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Simple Spring Hat
The arrival of Midges in Chicago this year incentivized me to make hats for the spring. The midges are no longer swarming, but my idea to make hats has taken flight. In designing the hat, I wanted something that was light in weight and colorful. I decided to keep it simple with a model that would not take a long time to print. The result was a hat that prints using vase mode; a visor attaches to the drum with glue. Voila! Spring hat.
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FDM 3D Printers Under $1,000 By Build Volume
3D printers that build objects by fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), currently selling under $1000, are listed in the chart below.
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