Hi there, my thoughts exactly. I am slightly frustrated with the ‘open source’ wing of the company. I love the concept and the product but it does seem that the company does not really want people to build their own. There is no clear step by step route for diy builders and I can only find the stl files in the very slow and clunky onshape environment.
What I want is ;
Step 1. Connect r pi and Arduino like this….diagram
Step 2. Install this software on the pi and this on the Arduino
Step 3. Connect motors here and encoders here
Step 4. Print these parts. (LINK TO THINGYVERSE)
Step 5. Cut these parts
Etc
I think Rory and the team are clearly progressive and clever peeps for sure with highly ethical global vision but it seems they are only really comfortable in the very digital world. If they want farmbot to really make the difference that they envision they need to make it more accessible to the vast majority that don’t naturally gravitate towards the world of apps, downloads, protocols etc
I am not speaking from a technophobe perspective here. I build Cnc machines, program commercial databases, manufacture my own pcbs, weld, fabricate, machine, cast and forge. But…… also have 3 kids and a busy life. I struggle to find the time to wade through their website to find what I think is the bit I need.
For example, as a robot designer and builder I often start with last link in the chain. In this case that’s the Universal Tool Mount. I found the cad model at Onshape was able to isolate the big cylindrical part and export as an stl but there is a spiral screw that is not listed on the BOM but is clearly made of plastic and in the videos it looks like a printed part. AARRGGHHHH!!!
Please pls please just make a repository of fdm printable parts.
Behind the UTM i assume can be any generic or totally custom Cartesian xyz stage which many people are quite capable of creating from their own respective parts bin or the local market. Many of us have old printers and drawers full of Arduino’s.
It’s such a great idea I feel it’s a shame that it’s only really available to people with a chunk of spare cash. The family sized express XL is £1500 which is without doubt great value but that does not mean it’s affordable for the low income families who need it the most.
So I say to the farmbot team, help us to help you help the world. Make the transition from supermarket slaves to self sufficient food heroes much, much easier. I post this with a heart full of hope.
Tanc