Sorry 2nd question of the day!
How much active time do you think you spend on a build? I know it takes weeks to actually print, but that’s hit print and wait 20 hours. By active I mean physically calibrating printer, buying materials, slicing, dealing with issues and physically building etc etc.
Just interested what people estimate
Thanks!
It all depends on the type of printer(s), what condition your printer(s) was/were before you started the first print, and where you source your filament from. Also the number of printers; you would think that more printers automatically means faster production time, but it takes time to optimize the process: which printer prints what parts, do they need to be calibrated so parts from different machines fit together, etc.
A good way to think of it: first TMT might easily take you 3x longer to complete than #3. Go at your own pace, and take time to figure what works best for you.
Thanks for the input. Appreciate it. I’m only a 1 printer guy (A1) and a full time worker. I’m hoping once I dial in my first reel of petg with a temp tower and flow, I should be good to hit th button!
I ask as my employer is very Charity/Volunteer friendly and as such allow us some hours off to help the community with such things. Just wondering if I could actively fill a 4 hour slot. To be honest I imagine the final build will take me most of the day first time round haha.
Thanks
It took me 2 hours to assemble my first TMT—it dropped down to 45 minutes by build #3. Few things that can speed it up.
My first TMT was printed before I fully dialed in my flow rate—dimensional accuracy of connectors and support interface wasn’t great. I spent a lot of time with rasp and sandpaper smoothing everything so it would fit together. I still smooth all connectors and pins with fine rasp just so they slide into each other easier (still a very snug fit)
I also recommend watching assembly video once, and than use printed guide for assembly: I am a very visual person, and it is hard for me to follow written directions, but this weirdly saved a lot of time.
I use both the written guide and the video. I am terribly inept at tying any kind of knot, and was pretty confused about what to do with all of the straps the first time.
Now after 3 builds I know where they go, but I still put them all in backwards the first time, then turn them around and somehow get them backwards again, and then get it right the 3rd time.
This was the hardest part of the first build for me lol
I love this question. I’m a numbers guy. I like charts and spreadsheets. I track all kinds of things. It satisfies my OCD.
First I needed a spreadsheet to track everything
Then I needed a Gantt Chart to help plan my builds plate by plate
Then I needed to order hardware - made real easy now that you can get the kit.
The first TMT I made I used the PETG I had on hand. The challenge I had is I’ve never bought in bulk, so I have a lot of say blue, but they are all different shades. Now with the above info and the 3D rendering of the chair I was set to figure out how much of what colors I needed and started placing bulk orders for filament. I now have seven different colors of TPU, 5 kg each… lol I also now buy PETG 5 to 10 spools at a time.
This seams extreme - and I agree it is, but now TMT #2 and #3 it took me only an hour or two to figure out what I need once I confirm colors with the recipient.
Once printing it really only takes me say a half hour a plate for actual hands on time. If anyone actually reads this all the way through, you know what my wife has to deal with.. 
This is amazing! Any chance you are willing to share your templates?
The Gnatt chart is web based - tomsplanner.com it takes a bit to learn, but I love it for timing plate starts. I try to make it so plates only finish when I’m home so I don’t have any down printer time.
is there a list of how long each part should take to print
First - Welcome - Glad you are here. The challenge answering that question is that it is printer and individual setting dependent. I probably print more conservatively (read slowly) then anyone else here…lol. Best thing to do is simply slice everything the way you like to print.
I will give you an example. One tire tread (you need 8 per wheel) takes me over 7 hours to print with a 0.4 nozzle . There are people doing that in half the time using a 0.6 on a faster printer.
Again - thanks for being part of this project.
i have just got a kobra x. i loaded the side panel laid it flat and it said 20 hours. so i cancelled and starting smaller parts is it best to print standing ?
You are not supposed to change the orientation of the prints on the plate for strength. Your plate is 260 x 260 correct? If so everything should fit. They were designed for the Bambu 257 x 257.
Plate 6 - the wing - on my P2S is 14 hours
correct. i was looking at the parts individually, only just seen the plates seperate files.
Kudos for dialing in your filament. It will save you time and trouble, for sure.
