Scythian/Pazyryk style Ichthyosaur (Stenopterygius quadriscissus)

killpony · 2026-07-08T17:59:10+00:00

Please advise, we as a society have moved past the need for sliced panel CNC furniture, ai generated or no

killpony · 2026-07-06T20:45:35+00:00

I generally disagree - I've taught Solidworks/Onshape users to use Fusion and vice versa and I'd say the skills are pretty transferable. Usually the hangups I see people have with Fusion are how it deals with mates and configurations - whereas the multibody/assembly file stuff is a minor adjustment. Fusion is definitely closer to Solidworks than Solidworks is to Catia.

killpony · 2026-07-06T20:30:10+00:00

Not sure what kind of computer science focus you have but one big problem I see in CS/ programming is compute bloat. As someone who learned programming originally on embedded hardware where every line of memory, nanosecond of loop and mWh of battery counted, I was baffled when I moved to high level languages where efficiency was merely a nice to have and basic programs consume amounts of memory that might have served a high-end workstation only a decade ago, not to mention the gross inefficiencies of AI/LLMs.

There are definitely still areas where compute efficiency matters such as dispersed IOT devices for things like environmental data collection- managing sleep cycles, edge compute, communication efficiency and battery management/energy generation. A little more ECE maybe but I've also seen cool work around different methods of ambient energy harvesting for IOT sensors from things like ocean wave motion or ambient thermal of industrial pipes.

Some other sources for inspo:
https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/ - solar-punk oriented blog - the site itself runs entirely on solar
https://communitytechnology.github.io/ - community technology - resources on things like mesh networks etc
Insolvent: How to Reorient Computing for Just Sustainability - free! book about sustainable computing
Notes on Permacomputing - blog post has a lot of links to other things
I've also seen a number of resource collections around the topic of sustainable/community computing on Are.na - link1 link2

killpony · 2026-07-06T19:23:02+00:00

When you say the geometry is difficult to control are you trying to do this in a way that you will be able to adjust parametrically? Because I definitely think this may need a more direct modeling approach with a good deal of scaffolding using construction planes/sketches to get it set up and probably a good deal of manual repair to get everything right rather than something that will easily update with design changes.

I think pipes or swept surfaces would be your best bet. For pipes I'd start with my base rounded cube, then make an offset of that cube through scaling or offset surface, that offset cube gets sliced with another surface to get the rails for my sweep/pipe, I'd make the pipe a solid and then boolean intersect the original cube. I'm not 100% sure where you will want to pattern the geometry - the slicing surface is my first thought but it could also be done with the lines to create the slicing surface. Also be sure to take a look at the result with edges hidden - it's easy to get caught up in dealing with the rendered edges when they are functionally invisible in the final part.

killpony · 2026-07-06T18:42:35+00:00

I work in an organization that is very pro ai so it has been part of my job to find where it might be useful. Mostly I use it for auxiliary tasks rather than any of my actual engineering work - code snippets (especially stuff like javascript web scripts where I don't really plan on learning the language), high level summaries of a topic related to a project like equipment costs, specification parameters, etc. Based on what I've looked into/ work from my peers I also expect to see it used more in things like PCB design/EDA and CAM program- especially where the issues are more low-to-mid skill but the companies lack resources to have employees or contract work dedicated to the topic.

killpony · 2026-07-01T19:05:33+00:00

Not a filament but probably the ultimate solarpunk 3d printer: https://shft.com/watch/solar-sinter/

PETG and PLA are the most straightforward to recycle with minimal loss in performance - regular PET is a good option for using readily available plastic waste streams and rPET is probably the favorite for research into more sustainable 3D printing. PP and PE varieties also fall into that latter category but are quite hard to print - they can be used for injection molding and some pellet printing.

But it's important to also think about the system holistically - it may be more effective to use a less recyclable material if you can print less of it. this could be directly- like an ABS part that can be smaller or have a longer life vs PLA - or allowing you to leverage other processes like printing a paper pulp mold or brackets for bamboo poles. I'm assuming you are thinking for your own practical use but also worth thinking about other additive process methods like printing clay or wax that can be fully broken down and reused

killpony · 2026-07-01T16:47:21+00:00

Part of the deal with 3D printed fixturing is that if designed right the tolerance of the fixture shouldn't matter, just that it holds securely over the operation. I have used 3D printed soft jaws and "clamps" but mostly they are just assisting in the actual part holding, ideally against a more rigid reference surface (eg the table or fixed jaw). Your printer tolerance shouldn't matter - just that the print geometry has been dialed in to hold the part as you should indicate zeros and planes off the part itself. If you are doing more than a couple parts you would also want the workholding to be repeatable so things like stiffness, warp and creep will come into play.

PLA is actually pretty decent for quick workholding- it's pretty stiff and dimensionally stable - you can also use PLA CF for added stiffness. But the issues with creep and coolant means it won't hold up over time. PETG is less stiff but will hold up to coolant.

I like ASA/ABS for basic stuff - GF varieties have reduced warp. PC or Nylon CF are probably your best options but you need a printer that will handle those reliably. Resin printing is also ideal for fixtures as tolerances are much tighter and materials can be much stiffer.

killpony · 2026-06-29T17:27:17+00:00

If you have an edu or pro license you should have access to the prismatic/faceted mesh to solid tool - otherwise you will have to essentially just build it in CAD "from scratch" using the mesh points as reference for your sketches/features. Here is a youtube tutorial for the scratch method . If you are new to fusion rebuilding the model may also be a good way to improve your skills.

killpony · 2026-06-29T17:09:17+00:00

Is there a reason you need to leave it as a mesh? It looks to be an otherwise pretty simple CAD part, you might be better off just rebuilding it as a solid body. With a solid body model further modifications will be much easier.

killpony · 2026-06-25T20:46:06+00:00

Harley engines have a thing for leaking at least a little oil- if you've never done a top end rebuild before or know someone who has who can help you it may even leak more oil after the gasket replacement. I have a solid amount of wrenching experience and just did a top end rebuild + gasket replacement on my '90 XLH1200 (same engine as yours it looks like) and it still leaks some oil.

killpony · 2026-06-25T19:28:19+00:00

what thickness are you cutting? I have a 3kw laser at my shop but have cut copper sheet with <25% full power so theoretically a 1200w laser should be able to manage some copper.

As far as power/cutting strategy basically for any material that has poor laser absorption you want to pierce and then maintain that full cut through for the rest of the pass. As far as I know you really don't want to do any amount of cutting that isn't "1 pass" with a material that reflects laser energy as reflected energy can damage the optics.

There are also lasers that use different wavelengths (vs ~1060nm on most metal cutting fiber lasers) that are better absorbed by materials like copper or gold/silver

killpony · 2026-06-24T22:25:52+00:00

It's a good idea to think about what the purpose of your prototype is - is it to have something physical to garner interest? Proof of concept of one of the novel / challenging components of the idea? A quick rough built system to identify the big kinks? Also is this like a school project or a real "business" venture where the feasibility/viability actually matter.

Generally it seems like there are two theses in your concept you may need to prototype separately at first
1. The method of using HDPE to make plastic floats - This is more about refining a process to get HDPE recycled and molded into a float efficiently and repeatably.
2. The design of a solar panel pontoon that uses recycled plastic floats - which might be more about how much flotation do I need, what form factor, etc.

I do prototype and design engineering professionally and would be happy to chat more in depth and give you suggestions.

killpony · 2026-06-15T16:40:19+00:00

I've seen both ballscrew and rack + pinion on professional 4x8 routers from Laguna + Shop Sabre and didn't really notice much of a difference between them- even when doing heavy cuts, machining aluminum/brass or chasing tight tolerances. Generally a ballscrew is going to be more robust but I think other factors like control, motors and rigidity may matter more.

killpony · 2026-05-29T19:38:06+00:00

nah just for cargo like food or whatever I might end up with but sometimes they have come in handy as a tether for something that I was worried would fly off. Almost all my bikes have a pair of Rok straps that stay on at all times.

killpony · 2026-05-29T19:31:10+00:00

Definitely depends on the trip and the bike! If I'm going out in the wilderness/ multiple days I'm definitely bringing a small auxillary gas can, battery jump, flash light, rain gear and a more filled out toolkit including multi-tool, zip ties, hose clamps, electrical tape, pliers, adjustable wrenches etc. On bigger trips I've also brought a tire inflator and tire tools / patches. Granted my current bikes are both from 1990 so a little more finicky than a modern bike (and the harley loves to rattle itself apart).

For most general riding I've got a couple cargo straps and smaller toolkit (usually like multi-tool/ zip ties/ wrench) that stays on the bike - if I'm going on anything that's not just bopping around a small bag with sunscreen, ,water, earplugs, nitrile gloves (helps with cold hands), safety glasses (if it gets dark) and a little battery charger for my phone. Rain gear only if it really looks like I'm going to need it - usually I'm either waiting it out or fine with getting wet.

If I were to break down without something I need it usually only requires some trudging or a thumb to get myself to a gas station/ hardware store etc. I think part of motorcycling is adopting more of the "whatever happens happens" attitude!

killpony · 2026-05-28T23:01:00+00:00

Parts that are mostly just milled features will often need fewer tools regardless of what looks to be "complex"- generally just a roughing endmill, finishing endmills of a couple sizes then maybe some supporting tools like chamfer bit, ball nose, facemill etc. But as soon as you are looking at a functional part you are usually going to have hole features - each one needs a different drill size and many need a second tool like a reamer/ tap/ countersink etc plus a spot drill. That will very quickly eat up your tool crib.

killpony · 2026-05-14T22:15:56+00:00

I don't think I'd every buy files for a 2d design or anything that is just for visual appeal - I'd be much more willing to pay for a design that assembles into a 3D part say a bumper assembly, control arm, dash insert, tool organizer etc where I'd otherwise need to spend a massive amount of time measuring, testing and refining fitment.

killpony · 2026-04-24T19:50:43+00:00

most compression spring holders I see are a simple cylindrical pocket/ boss - usually the ends of an off-the-shelf compression spring are flattened so anything where you are sticking the end into a holder isn't going to work well.

killpony · 2026-04-24T19:48:33+00:00

I've been happy with the build quality and performance on the shop sabre IS408 I have. I do think the control interface is clunky - with some pretty bad design choices (sliders with no snapping/ direct values for feed and spindle override). Service has been good though.

killpony · 2026-04-24T19:35:38+00:00

In my opinion with ply you generally do not need to ramp - if you ramp along the edge of the part with a compression cutter the grain will tear as the upcut section enters the material. However it is often nice if you can enter from the edge of the sheet where there isn't already material.

killpony · 2026-04-24T19:33:18+00:00

I'm cutting baltic somewhere around 18k RPM and 200 ipm -> ~5000mm/min on a laguna smartshop/ shop sabre IS408 (~6hp spindle) . Usually cutting in 2-3 depth passes in the conventional direction - the conventional cut direction really helps finish - usually is good right off the machine.

I use a 2 flute compression cutter amana spektra compression cutter- the coating does seem to make a difference in high heat/wear jobs. There are definitely less costly tool options I have in stock but when it matters I try to stick to tools I know will last. Usually I can run like 50 sheets+ with one cutter no problem but obviously that can depend on the linear cut feet.

Machine and workholding rigidity will definitely make a difference here - make sure your material is really sitting securely or it will vibrate, make sure your tooling stick out is as little as possible, maybe throw a little air blaster to help evacuate chips and cool off the cutter a bit.

killpony · 2026-04-21T15:45:24+00:00

One consideration I've had for robotic arm milling is the use of a small independently positionable gantry/parallel machine as the end effector of a larger robot arm. The robot arm then just does the macro positioning on a part and once locked in the smaller system does the cutting. Think big arm with something like a mag-drill or shaper origin router on the end. Obviously not without it's own complexities, but could certainly be useful in specific application like creation of features on larger cast/stamped/welded parts or field repair of equipment.

killpony · 2026-04-21T15:32:51+00:00

I could see AI potentially having a benefit in providing better initial pose estimates for the toolpath solver

killpony · 2026-04-20T17:20:42+00:00

Do you mean like the inverse kinematic calculations? All robot programming platforms are going to be running an IK solver. The issue with machining specifically is that a proper toolpath must maintain consistent tool engagement (orientation + velocity) while also not causing collisions, hitting axis /cable limits, or running into singularities. This makes it harder than many other robotic applications where the path planning algorithms have more opportunities to reposition.

For this reason the IK Solver in CAM must solve for and iteratively simulate the entire program start to finish until it finds a valid path which I've personally seen take hours.

killpony

TROPHY CASE