As a analysis and growth mechanical engineer, Michael Graham has seen a number of completely different sorts of expertise come and go. However as soon as a school buddy talked about 3D printing to him, he was hooked.

Since 2011 Michael has labored as a contractor and engineer designing and constructing specialty machines and industrial gear. He has additionally dabbled in 3D printing by way of his profession, most notably with HP’s multi-jet Fusion 3D printer, and infrequently elsewhere. However in 2012 he picked up an unique Printrbot with the 3D printed and laser lower {hardware} to construct it for the training expertise.

“I noticed folks making trinkets on Thingiverse however actually I had no concept what I might use the machine for. It simply appeared like a doubtlessly great tool and a profession talent to select up.”

As soon as he moved from the Midwest to Portland, Oregon and found the PDX 3D Printing Lab meetup and the thriving maker neighborhood, he had discovered his tribe of fellow ‘layer geeks’. They meet month-to-month to share tales and nerd out. In addition they contribute a heavy presence to the annual Portland MakerFaire.

As an engineer, Michael has created assessments, jigs and fixtures, and lots of different designs. One among his main engineering experiments got here after he turned curious in regards to the power of the completely different infill patterns utilized by most 3D printers. So, he constructed a take a look at machine and decided that the rectilinear infill sample was not solely the quickest to 3D print, but it surely additionally resulted in a better closing half power/weight ratio in comparison with a honeycomb fill. He additionally decided that perimeters have a far better impact on half power than infill does by way of power gained/plastic used. These outcomes helped Michael mannequin the present strategies he makes use of to design his 3D prints. An engineer all the way in which!

Whereas he has a store with a lathe, a mill, and different bigger manufacturing machines, he makes use of his 3D printer probably the most. He enjoys seeing the fruits of his labor extra simply repeated and shared. He primarily makes use of a Prusa Mk3 to manufacture his designs.

Michael’s principal mission for the time being is the Mug-O-Matic TinyCNC drawing robotic. The Mug-O-Matic is an open-source, extremely modifiable mug printing robotic that makes use of markers, and the course of the creator who makes it, to brighten favourite espresso receptacles with enjoyable designs.

“I’ve experimented with constructing a machine to mechanically acetone vapor polish abs plastic utilizing an ultrasonic mister. It labored fairly effectively but it surely was undoubtedly a hack. These days I’ve my thoughts set on producing novelty robotic kits and my designs particularly DO NOT require any post-processing since that drastically will increase the man-hours wanted to provide them. The imaginative and prescient is to actually scrape components off the print bend and drop them right into a transport field, with none practical compromises being made.”

Michael is continually pushed by curiosity and a want to develop and apply new expertise. This lead him to the creation of the Mug-O-Matic, “This explicit work was impressed by quite a lot of initiatives found on-line by way of my curiosity in making toys and constructing automated gear. I actually just like the ‘Eggbot’ egg plotter particularly and the way severely it takes its foolish activity. I needed to create my very own little activity particular robotic too, besides with an output that has extra on a regular basis enchantment than eggs. I believed hmm…I drink espresso day by day & I’ve by no means seen a espresso mug plotter earlier than. Sounds enjoyable!  Finally, my toy has completely different priorities than the eggbot, so I take advantage of completely different expertise and commerce off a diminished drawing decision to attain a lower cost level.”

However as a realist, Michael is aware of that supplies for initiatives must be attainable by everybody, so he makes use of off-the-shelf supplies, as a rule, so everybody can make the most of his creations. Solely when he can’t buy a ready-made answer does he begin designing new components. At that time, he makes use of no matter materials it takes to get the job carried out proper.

Michael has put his skills to good use, successful a number of design contests sponsored by Instructables.com, Thingiverse, Pinshape, and others. He attributes his success to placing in a severe effort to make a inventive, unique, and reproducible mission with wonderful documentation. His hottest initiatives have a number of hundred thousand views on his engineerdog.com web site (hyperlinks beneath).

For the long run, Michael has many initiatives to work on, however he has a weak point that many people share, “ I attempt to not overlook that the most harmful factor affecting my potential to finish a given mission is…my subsequent mission! So I attempt to not do two initiatives without delay. That stated, down the highway, I’d have an interest to construct knowledgeable (open-source) model of my TesterBot machine and supply a mechanical testing service. The one limitation is discovering paying shoppers first!”

We sit up for seeing extra of Michael’s designs come to life sooner or later! To see extra of what Michael is as much as, go to his web site right here:

www.engineerdog.com

You can too see Michaels’ designs on Thingiverse right here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/MechEngineerMike/about

Do you assume you could have what it takes to be our subsequent Hacker of the Month? Merely observe us on Fb/Twitter or e mail chris.morgan@matterhackers.com. Inform us about your mission or 3D printed creation, and you might be featured in our subsequent publication. The Hacker of the Month may also obtain a free spool of PRO Sequence or MH Construct filament to additional their pursuit of 3D printing greatness.