--- /dev/null
+# Ultimaker
+
+A few quick notes about our 3D printing setup. On advice from our good
+friend [Vik Oliver](http://diamondage.co.nz/) in New Zealand, we decided
+to start with an [Ultimaker](http://ultimaker.com/) kit.
+
+## Software ##
+
+We primarily drive our Ultimaker with [Cura](http://daid.github.com/Cura/).
+
+So far, everything we've printed has been designed by someone else, but we
+expect to use
+[OpenSCAD](http://www.openscad.org/) and
+[FreeCAD](http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/free-cad)
+to design things in the future.
+
+## Upgrades ##
+
+Here are the upgrades we've made so far to the hardware:
+
+ * Redesigned the hot-end bowden tube clamp. Apparently lots of people have
+ trouble with the stock design, and the most popular upgrade path is to
+ print [Owen's Bowden Clamp](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11864). That
+ would have been fine if we could keep the printer going long enough! In
+ the end, I found a brass 1/4" OD compression to 1/8" MIP adapter at
+ our local [Lowes](http://www.lowes.com/pd_25605-104-A-22_0__?Ntt=a-22&productId=3371688&rpp=16) to use instead. Since I own a set of taps that includes
+ one compatible with 1/8" MIP, it was a simple matter to tap the hole in
+ the top plywood plate on the "hot end", then use a 1/4" drill to open up
+ the hole in the MIP end of the adapter so that the plastic Bowden tube
+ could slide all the way through the adapter. We discarded the brass tubing
+ insert, and used the compression ring and nut to clamp down on the tubing
+ after getting everthing adjusted just right. Works perfectly!
+
+ * Printed an improved fan duct / shroud for the hot end. The stock fan
+ shroud allows air to blow directly on the nozzle, which was giving us fits
+ trying to figure out what the right printing temps were. We ended up
+ printing one of [Owen's Fan Ducts](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:13625),
+ specifically the "more clearance front nozzle" version, and despite the
+ fact that it came out pretty rough, it works brilliantly.
+
+ * Printed an improved
+ [z-axis stop fine adjuster](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11033),
+ because the stock mechanical switch was just too hard to adjust, and we
+ got tired of having to manually tweak the Z axis leadscrew at the start
+ of every print. This isn't installed yet, but we hope it will be just what
+ we need!
+
+## Issues ##
+
+Notes about things learned or observed along the way:
+
+* Keep the machine tight! Any looseness in the belts, stepper mounting bolts,
+ t-nut and screw combinations holding things together, etc, will make the
+ machine "sloppy" and lead to crappy results.
+
+## Future Plans ##
+
+We're actually pretty happy with how the printer is working now .. will add
+more here as we learn more with it!
projects / web / gag.com / blobdiff