manufacturing (misc) Journal Entries

#0136 (2026-02-16): Matt DiPalma

Removed silicone mat from the tool and installed edge magnets. Overall the proof-of-concept was a success, but in the future I would like to use thicker magnets set in a thicker wall and with a vent hole in the upper mold tool somewhere to prevent leakage.






#0132 (2026-02-15): Matt DiPalma

Attempted a silicone cast of the mini mat. Also had to reprint the primary clamshell mold piece due to having the text incorrectly mirrored on the first print. Due to the lack of air, I will give it 24 hours to cure and report back tomorrow.






#0130 (2026-02-14): Matt DiPalma

Designed and printed 2-part test mold for a silicone mat with slots for embedded magnets. This is ultimately for a potential client.






#0104 (2026-01-28): Matt DiPalma

Essentially completed the Voron v0.2 build. OLED display works, wire management reasonable, back panel and top hat installed, spare parts stored away, workspace cleaned, configuration mostly set up. Several test prints completed successfully. More fine tuning will come in time, but this seems way more reliable for my purposes than my old Ender 3 V2. Props goes out to the Voron developers for this. Inspires me to make a more barebones version with a much shallower Z-depth and fewer components in general. See video of it in action.









#0102 (2026-01-27): Matt DiPalma

Fixed some minor electrical and software issues on the Voron v0.2 and got it printing successfully! The main issue with the electronics was that 2 sets of 2 wires were mislabeled, so I was sending negative 24V to the part cooling fans and negative 24V to the extruder fan. Found the issue, swapped them around, and it was fixed. Spent some time tuning config parameters and leveling the bed. Now that it works, tomorrow I can enclose the electronics and wrap up the build. Also the OLED display needs to be properly connected and configured - right now it only shows some default sample text. I think I'll also clean up the wiring slightly and eventually get some kind of air filter system to print ABS, though that can wait.



#0100 (2026-01-26): Matt DiPalma

Continued to set up firmware for the Voron v0.2. Have the OS set up, and I'm just working to get the SKR Pico and OLED screen connected successfully.


#0099 (2026-01-25): Matt DiPalma

Wrapped up most of the Voron 0.2 r1 build. The only thing remaining is the back panel cover (and hinge for the top hat) because I am hesitant to believe I wired (guessed) all the electronics correctly, and you can only access them from the back. Once I have the software set up and can validate that the electronics works, I will wrap up the final few operations. Also, although it's not necessary, I'd like to add more screws to the z-axis linear rails and upgrade the part cooling fans if not the entire hot-end system, but those can wait until after the printer is working and mostly tuned in, likely later this week.






#0098 (2026-01-24): Matt DiPalma

Continued to work on the Voron 0.2r1 kit. Completed most of the frame, motion system, and toolhead. Probably only 1 more day.






#0097 (2026-01-23): Matt DiPalma

Started kit build of Voron 0.2r1.



#0020 (2025-11-17): Matt DiPalma

Laser cut around 30 finger-spacers. 20% power 20% current are decent settings for engraving the surface of plywood. Customer was satisfied.


#0016 (2025-11-15): Matt DiPalma

Created an SVG path for a finger-spacer tool to be laser cut. It helps children leave a space between words when they write.


#0006 (2025-11-08): Matt DiPalma

Got some exposure to laser cutting on the Muse3D at work. Made some personal engravings and tested various power setting and cut speeds. At 100% power even 100% speed is enough to cut thru 1/8-inch plywood.