Exploring 3D printing

A new seed for a possible future

After a hiatus of more than two weeks, I’m here again sharing my indie hacker journey. Last Christmas, my girlfriend gifted me the Anycubic Kobra 2 3D printer, opening the doors to a realm I’ve been eager to explore. While it took me a while to initiate my introduction to this world due to other commitments, I finally dove into the world of 3D printing this week.

As the process of building with instructions is usually easy, I decided to add another dimension by incorporating live streaming into the building process. Armed with just a webcam and my trusty smartphone, I found a creative solution to enhance the experience. I transformed an old phone into a streaming camera by using adb ( a tool used to communicate with Android devices, integrated inside Android SDK Platform Tools) and scrcpy ( a tool used to display and control Android devices). I connected to my computer phones via USB and with the following commands you can get the phone screen on your computer via wifi:

# Display devices list
adb devices -l
# Enable tcpip connection on port 5555
adb -s $DEVICE_ID tcpip 5555
# Now you can disconnect your phone from USB
# You can obtain your device ip accessing your router
# Display phone screen
scrcpy --tcpip=$DEVICE_IP

With these simple commands, I was able to seamlessly integrate phones into my setup, broadcasting the entire process with OBS on platforms like Twitch, Kick, and YouTube.

This first streaming with this setup wasn’t without its hiccups - bad phone positions and screen disconnections. Determined to tackle these challenges head-on, I set out to create a solution: a 3D-printed phone stand.

After scouring for designs, I stumbled upon the Planetary Phone Stand by Clockspring. Impressed by his craftsmanship, I decided to support him on Patreon to access the design and explore his other creations.

With the design in hand, I needed a Slicer, a piece of 3D printing software that bridges the gap between the digital model and the physical object constructed by the 3D printer. Opting for PrusaSlicer, a versatile option recommended byAnycubic and compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, I set out to bring the design to life.

Though I initially attempted a two-color approach using white and black filament to add visual flair, my efforts to print the parts separately ended in frustration, resulting in a messy outcome.

Printed parts, tuned with hands, file and hammer

I persevered, learning valuable lessons along the way. It became apparent that some designs are meant to be printed and assembled simultaneously. After multiple attempts, adjustments, and a shift to printing the model in one piece, the final result aligned with my vision.

Planetary phone Stand result

Conclusion:

In conclusion, 3D printing presents an exciting avenue for exploration and creativity. Whether crafting artwork, replacing broken parts, or designing innovative tools, the possibilities are truly endless. While I've only just scratched the surface of this fascinating field, I'm eager to delve deeper into the future. However, for now, other projects will take precedence as I continue my indie hacker journey.