James Balducci’s Projects Page
This is the future home of all my current and past projects with all applicable code and design files Open Sourced and put online for your use and edits!
I’m an elevator constructor and electrician by day, Nerd by night. I’ve always been interested in invention, tinkering with electronics and programming but still love getting my hands dirty and building stuff. Elevator construction is where I’ve found that so many different disciplines I love really intersect.
Proud Union Member!
Contents
3D Printing
When I saw the reprap project for the first time and how the plans for these awesome machines were open-source and available for the masses, I was hooked.
I started 3D printing back in 2012 sending my STL files to 3rd party print services. Bought my first 3D printer in 2015, a Lulzbot Taz 5. For my first machine I wanted something open source in the same vein as the RepRap project and that would be a workhorse with a large print volume. The Taz 5 did not disappoint. 5 Years later she’s still running strong with the exception of a few worn igus bushings and gt2 belts that needed replacing.
Current projects
Taz 5 SKR 1.4 Turbo Upgrade
Replacing the Rambo board in the Taz 5 with the 32 bit SKR 1.4 Turbo.
Current Progress:
- Firmware modifications (Marlin 2.0.x)
- Design new control box enclosure (In Progress)
- Wiring and board replacement
- Test and first prints
Enclosure Preview:
Octoprint Membrane Keypad 3D Printer Control Plug-In
Uses a cheap (~$5) 3x4 Membrane keypad, some 3d printed parts and a recycled cat6 patch cable to control a 3d printer over Octoprint. For example, jog X Y and Z axis, start or cancel prints, Extrude or Retract filament, etc.
The Octoprint plug-in was never completed but works well for my personal use. I’d like to eventually add more functionality to the plug-in and make it worthy of publishing to the Plug-In Repository.