How AI is Fixing 3D Printing Failures

3D Farmers
14 Sept 202403:06

TLDRIn this video, the creator shares their journey to combat 3D printing failures, which led to a significant reduction in undetected failure rates using AI. They discuss the importance of early failure detection to save resources and protect machines, comparing two AI detection services: Obiko and Octo Everywhere. The video highlights the cost-effectiveness of Octo Everywhere for a fleet of 3D printers and mentions the setup involving Bamboo Lab printers and a Raspberry Pi 5 for efficient monitoring.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 AI is being used to reduce 3D printing failures, decreasing the undetected failure rate to less than half a percent.
  • 🚀 The speaker's 3D printing business started with Ender 3B printers but upgraded to Perusai i3 to handle higher filament volumes.
  • 💔 A significant failure, 'Mr. Monster Blob,' led to the destruction of a printer and motivated the speaker to focus on failure prevention.
  • 🛠️ Automating the print process and early detection of failures are key strategies for a profitable 3D printing business.
  • 👀 Third-party AI detection services like Obiko and Octo Everywhere analyze video footage to detect common 3D printing failures.
  • 💡 AI systems can identify issues such as 'printing the air,' spaghetti defects, and blob formation.
  • 💼 The cost-effectiveness of Octo Everywhere's AI detection service was a deciding factor for the speaker's business.
  • 🏭 The speaker's farm now operates with Bamboo Lab printers and a single Raspberry Pi 5, showcasing a streamlined setup.
  • 👍 A successful implementation of AI detection has led to a flawless performance, protecting both time and resources.
  • 📺 The speaker invites viewers to learn more about their print farm setup through future content.

Q & A

  • What was the incident that motivated the speaker to focus on reducing 3D printing failures?

    -The speaker's motivation came from a disastrous 3D print failure where a 400-gram filament created a 'Mr. Monster Blob' that not only ruined the print job but also damaged the extruder and bent the axis of the printer.

  • How has AI helped in reducing undetected failure rates in 3D printing?

    -AI has helped by enabling third-party AI detection services that stream video footage from a webcam to their servers, where AI systems scan for failure modes, thus reducing the undetected failure rate to less than half a percent.

  • What are the two main strategies mentioned to make a 3D printing business more profitable?

    -The two main strategies are automating the print process and detecting failures early.

  • What are the two popular third-party AI detection services for 3D printing mentioned in the script?

    -The two popular third-party AI detection services mentioned are Obiko (formerly known as Spaghetti Detective) and Octo Everywhere.

  • How do Obiko and Octo Everywhere differ in terms of pricing for AI detection in 3D printing?

    -Octo Everywhere includes AI detection in its monthly fee, whereas Obiko charges extra for AI time on top of the subscription cost.

  • What is the cost difference between using Obiko and Octo Everywhere for AI detection with 26 printers?

    -Switching to Obiko would cost $650 plus $1,800 for AI detection hours, totaling $2,450, whereas Octo Everywhere costs just $120 per year for the first 10 printers with unlimited hours, and additional printers cost $25 each, bringing the total to $520.

  • What is the current setup of the speaker's 3D printing farm?

    -The speaker's farm now consists entirely of Bamboo Lab printers, and the entire setup runs smoothly with just one Raspberry Pi 5.

  • How does the speaker's setup allow for monitoring all printers in their basement?

    -The setup allows for easy monitoring of all printers in the basement through the use of a Raspberry Pi 5 and the integration with the AI detection services.

  • What was the speaker's initial 3D printer model before upgrading to a Perusai i3 kit?

    -The speaker initially relied on an Ender 3B for their 3D printing business.

  • What lesson did the speaker learn from the 'Mr. Monster Blob' incident?

    -The speaker learned the importance of not skipping crucial first layer checks and being vigilant in preventing print failures.

Outlines

00:00

😤 Mr. Monster Blob and the Battle Against Print Failures

The speaker introduces 'Mr. Monster Blob,' a 400-gram filament failure that damaged their 3D printer, sparking a mission to reduce print failures. They recount their journey from using Ender 3B printers to upgrading to a Perusai i3 kit, which initially improved print speed and reliability. However, a skipped first layer check led to a catastrophic print failure, resulting in the creation of 'Mr. Monster Blob,' which not only ruined the print job but also damaged the extruder and bent the axis. This incident prompted the speaker to invest in failure detection and prevention strategies to protect their 3D printing business.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡3D Printing

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital model by laying down successive layers of material. In the context of the video, 3D printing is the main theme as the creator discusses the challenges and solutions related to this technology. The video specifically addresses the issue of print failures and how AI can help in reducing them, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of the 3D printing process.

💡Print Failures

Print failures refer to the unsuccessful completion of a 3D print, often resulting in wasted materials and time. The video shares a personal account of a significant print failure that led to the destruction of a 3D printer, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues. The creator's war on print failures is a central narrative of the video, emphasizing the need for better detection and prevention methods.

💡AI Detection Services

AI detection services utilize artificial intelligence to analyze video footage from 3D printers and identify potential print failures. The video introduces two such services, Obiko and Octo Everywhere, which are designed to monitor the printing process and alert users to issues like 'printing the air' or 'spaghetti defects.' These services are crucial for the video's message, as they represent a technological solution to the problem of undetected print failures.

💡Filament

Filament is the material, typically in the form of a long, thin strand, that is fed into a 3D printer to create objects. The video mentions a 400-gram filament that caused a disastrous print failure, which underscores the financial implications of such incidents. Reducing filament waste is a key motivation for the video's exploration of AI-driven failure detection.

💡Perusai i3

The Perusai i3 is a specific model of a 3D printer mentioned in the video. It is noted for being an upgrade from the Ender 3B and for its increased print speed and reliability. However, the video also recounts a failure that resulted in damage to this printer, illustrating the vulnerability of even advanced models to print errors.

💡Spaghetti Defects

Spaghetti defects are a type of 3D print failure characterized by thin, stringy layers that can compromise the structural integrity of the printed object. The video mentions this defect as one of the issues that AI detection services can identify, showcasing the advanced capabilities of these systems in recognizing and preventing common print problems.

💡OctoPrint

OctoPrint is an open-source 3D printer management software that allows for remote monitoring and control of 3D printers. The video highlights that the AI detection services discussed are compatible with OctoPrint, indicating the integration of AI with existing 3D printing management tools to enhance their functionality.

💡Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon

The Bamboo Lab X1 Carbon is a 3D printer model that is mentioned in the video as one that comes with built-in failure detection. This is used as a point of comparison to illustrate the additional value provided by third-party AI detection services for printers that do not have this feature.

💡Raspberry Pi 5

A Raspberry Pi 5 is a single-board computer used in the video's setup to monitor all the 3D printers in the creator's 'print farm.' This serves as an example of how a relatively inexpensive and accessible device can be utilized to manage a fleet of 3D printers, enhancing their efficiency through automation and monitoring.

💡Print Farm

A print farm refers to a setup where multiple 3D printers are operated together, often automated to print continuously. The video discusses the creator's print farm, which consists of Bamboo Lab printers and is managed with the help of a Raspberry Pi 5. This concept is central to the video's theme of scaling up 3D printing operations and the need for robust failure detection systems to maintain efficiency.

Highlights

AI has reduced undetected failure rates in 3D printing to less than half a percent.

Upgraded 3D printers can save money and protect machines from failures.

The initial 3D printing business relied on Ender 3B tools.

Upgrading to a Perusai i3 kit doubled print speed and improved reliability.

A large box print failure led to the creation of 'Mr. Monster Blob' and machine damage.

The failure incident led to a commitment to prevent future print failures.

Two strategies for a profitable 3D printing business are automating the print process and early failure detection.

Most 3D printers lack built-in failure detection systems.

Third-party AI detection services analyze video footage for print failures.

Obiko and Octo Everywhere are popular AI detection services compatible with most printers.

Octo Everywhere includes AI detection in its monthly fee, unlike Obiko which charges extra.

Switching to Obiko would be cost-prohibitive for a large 3D printing operation.

Octo Everywhere's cost-effectiveness and AI performance make it the preferred choice.

The print farm now operates with Bamboo Lab printers and a single Raspberry Pi 5.

The setup allows for easy monitoring of all printers in the basement.

A tour of the print farm will be featured in an upcoming video.