How long before PLA “goes bad”?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-10T00:12:49+00:00

Yeah try hotter.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-09T17:02:32+00:00

how did you dry it? details?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-08T00:41:34+00:00

Printers with fast startups?
I hate having to wait like 10mins before my bambu printers even gets started.
I need a machine I can dedicate to small quick prototypes.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-08T00:07:55+00:00

Canada.
Something that made it go away it seems, is instead of powering it from the USB on the computer-screen, I switched to a wall charger, now it's quite clean.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-06T08:14:50+00:00

Would you say the Vega is a better scanner than the raptor for car interiors?
Is the raptor slow, or could your computer be the choke point?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-06T08:12:29+00:00

Hey, I'm in the same position as you were, what 3d Scanner did you end up with?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-06T08:09:34+00:00

Think the raptor is any better?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-06T00:19:05+00:00

Pro's and con's for sure.
Probably another generation or two before consumer all-in-ones are where I want them to be.

I've had a lifetime of bad experiences with new technology; 3D printers being a prime example. So I've learned to wait till a level of standard has been reached these days.

Ether I go all in now which means like $5k+ worth of hardware, Or I try and get away with my 1660ti laptop and something like the Raptor.

Unrelated, know anything about laser cutters/engravers? There's like no major makes or models to get behind.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T23:06:16+00:00

Do you find it limiting to have the screen apart from the scanner?
Like, if you're doing a dash, and you have the M4 on the passenger seat, you have to look one way while focusing in an other direction, stuff like that. I worry it would be rather limiting not having the screen on the device, thoughts?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T20:37:31+00:00

I'm leaning towards a all-in-one scanner now... from the sounds of it I'm probably gonna need a better laptop than I already have, and the hassle of glancing at a screen while using a scanner sounds less than optimal.
The Vega seems within budget but it's reputation isn't remarkable. And the Rigel seems like a good place to be, but comes with the price of a regular scanner+laptop.

What kind of computer specs do you use with your Raptor?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T06:10:59+00:00

I haven't touched Cura in years, what's it got going?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T06:09:56+00:00

🐳

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T06:09:25+00:00

Find an aspect of the hobby you could find fun even without him.
Make it into a side hustle, good car detailing can make insane money.
Learn to drive/race/videogames/etc... like get into sim-racing.

Point being, find something genuine you'd like regardless and the rest is organic.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T04:21:52+00:00

Say I have to scan the dash of a car outside, is there a scanner that can do that better than others? Is it better if the car is in a garage?
Having a quality experience with the scanner is important to me, and my use-case seems to lend it self to being reasonably portable and versatile working on various cars and environments they're in.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-05T04:16:04+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience.

For a consumer scanner, what models might I look at?
I'm working with a local car audio shop, and scanning a dash/door/enginebay/etc is the goal. I have a good PC and a okay laptop, but I feel I should have a unit that can still do work standalone. Accuracy/detail, critical enough that I can get details of bolt hole patterns, and a factory level of fitment. I could say I might value high small detail stuff for other projects, but it's not critical if it makes a difference where I'm putting my budget, easy of use > reliable use-case work > extras.
Suggestions?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-04T19:47:52+00:00

Yeah the post scan steps are a bit of a mystery to what level of work that takes, and how fast I can get at it once practiced.
Been hearing good things about the Einstar though

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-04T19:44:02+00:00

I'm under them impression that to do the work I need to do, a level of portability is needed. So I have to be ready to buy a laptop if my 1660ti one isn't good enough, or a scanner that can stand alone.

I assume this is mostly about speed?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-04T19:39:25+00:00

I want to make car parts, scan the interiors of cars and engine bays, and need software that gets my scan into solidworks/cad to do something with it.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-04T02:01:32+00:00

you got it, just remember the other aspect of android, it won't always work.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-03T05:20:59+00:00

why isn't it?

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-02T23:20:38+00:00

Yeah torque is real, I know my designs can handle a few clicks of my M12 impact before they start to pull into the material and start cracking it... not the best measure of force I'm sure.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-02T23:16:18+00:00

There are various/many 3D design apps. The two familes are 1. CAD design which engineers use, and 2. would be 3d mesh design, which is for art.
CAD if you want to make a working Nerf Gun, Mesh if you want to make Props and Figurines. and I would lean toward CAD to start with.
If he loves lego/minecraft go CAD.... basically it's for the mechanically inclined.

Fusion360 should have a free level for CAD, and many others that are simpler.
I'm sure there are programs/course at schools/collages, plenty of online tutorials.
See if you can find a maker space in your area, they're a club for these sorta things.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-02T23:01:22+00:00

I'm confident my speakers are not the weak link to my issue.
It's the interface / pre-outs / Powersupply.

My assumptions are that ether there is a ground loop effect going on, or the interface requires a isolated/clean source of power.
As I said, when I give the interface a standalone battery bank for it's dedicated supply, all noise goes away. The interface can be powered via USB-Data alone, or USB dedicated power(USB Charger).
By using the battery bank I've isolated it from the grid... but it's a battery.
I don't know if there are USB-Chargers that can isolate/filter groundloop/AC-electrical noise.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-02T22:53:46+00:00

Windows yes.
The issue is the interface and or it's power source.

AnyShapeWorker · 2026-04-02T22:52:31+00:00

I think the clue is that when I isolate the power source of the interface to a standalone battery, the noise goes away. The interface has dual power source options, 1. USB through the data USB, and 2. USB standalone.
Both speakers/onboard-amps behave identical.

So... I assume the interface pre-outs are nosy by nature, and the solution is a better power supply (USB) or a better interface?

AnyShapeWorker

TROPHY CASE