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Speaker 1
Gemini I'm recording this for a podcast. Is that okay?
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Speaker 2
Sure. I'm ready to go whenever you are. What's the topic for this podcast?
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Speaker 1
Okay, so I'm designing a product, called an animal. And the way it works is it is a 2 in 1 cat food and water bowl, situation. But the water sits to one side and it has like a little river of water that goes around the food and fully encompasses the food without like, actually getting in there.
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Speaker 1
And it keeps ants out.
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Speaker 2
That's a clever design. The water mode is a great way to keep ants out of pet food. What materials are you thinking of using for the bowl?
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Speaker 1
That's what I wanted to discuss because I actually made one in, fusion 360 or whatever. And I modeled it and I went to print it, and I made it, a 30cm by 15cm, which seemed like the right size, but it was going to take like a day to print on my printer at 100mm per second.
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Speaker 2
Wow. That's a big print. Printing something that size at 100mm per second is going to take a while. For a faster print. You could try increasing the speed to 150 or even 200mm per second, but you'll need to watch the print closely for any issues. You might also want to try printing a smaller version first, just to make sure everything.
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Speaker 1
Gemini can you pick up where you left off?
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Speaker 2
Okay, I'm ready to pick up where we left off. So we were just talking about your 3D printer. Did you have any other questions about it, or did you want to move on to something else?
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Speaker 1
Yeah. If I make this product that made me, kind of second guess using 3D printing capabilities. Unless I could get something for a decent price that would print a lot faster.
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Speaker 2
If printing speed is your main concern. You might want to consider a resin printer. They're generally much faster than filament printers, especially for detailed objects. The downside is they can be a bit messier to work with, and the resin itself can be more expensive. But if speed is key, it could be a good option.
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Speaker 1
Okay. Can you describe back to me the products so I know that you have a good grasp of it.
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Speaker 2
Sure thing. So you're designing a special pet bowl called an ant mode, right? It's a 2 in 1 dish for both food and water. The cool part is the water section has a little river that goes all the way around the food part, keeping ants out without letting them get into the food itself. Did I get that right?
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Speaker 1
Yeah, that's pretty accurate. And I would say that's completely accurate.
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Speaker 2
Great. Now that we're on the same page, what's the next step? Are you thinking about material or do you want to explore other ways to speed up the printing process?
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Speaker 1
I'm reconsidering my initial concept of 3D printing it because of the amount of material it takes, as well as time to, create. But I don't know if I can create it. How like how much quicker and how much cheaper I can create it.
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Speaker 2
If you're looking for a faster and cheaper way to make your ant mode, you could try using a mold. You'd create a mold of your design and then pour in a material like concrete or resin. This would let you make multiple bowls much faster than 3D printing. Does that sound like something you'd want to explore?
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Speaker 1
Yes. Yeah, definitely. Actually, that's a great idea.
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Speaker 2
Great. So we can explore different mold making techniques like using silicone or plaster. We could also look into different materials for the bowl itself, like concrete for a more rustic look, or resin for something lighter and more colorful. What do you think?
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Speaker 1
Well, I could use, like, a medium size, flat rate shipping box from the post office, like priority mail. And it wouldn't be too expensive to ship.
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Speaker 2
That's a good idea for keeping shipping costs down. The medium flat rate box could work well, depending on the size and weight of your aunt mold. Have you calculated the dimensions and weight of the packaged ball to see if it fits within the flat rate guidelines?
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Speaker 1
No. But I like this idea of using a mold. What are the different kinds of materials that we could potentially use? I know you mentioned concrete and resin. Are those the only two that you would really consider?
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Speaker 2
Nope. Concrete and resin aren't the only options. You could also consider using clay, which is a good option if you want to create a more organic shape or if you're looking for something more durable, you could try using metal. Are there any specific qualities you're looking for in your material?
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Speaker 1
Durable? Probably.
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Speaker 2
Okay. If durability is your main concern, you might want to look into using metal for your aunt mode. It's definitely the most durable option we've discussed so far. Would you like me to find out more about working with metal, or are you interested in exploring other materials?
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Speaker 1
I'm interested in exploring other materials. I was kind of interested in concrete.
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Speaker 2
Concrete could give your aunt a cool industrial look. It's also pretty durable and would definitely keep the ball from tipping over. Have you worked with concrete before?
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Speaker 1
Yeah, I definitely have experience working with concrete. I also want to keep in mind, like how easy it is to wash in a sink.
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Speaker 2
Okay, you've got some experience with concrete, and you're thinking about how easy it will be to clean the bowl. That's a good point, especially for something that will hold pet food and water. Concrete can be a bit porous, so it might absorb stains or odors over time. You could feel it to make it easier to clean, but that's an extra step.
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Speaker 1
Resins. Really, prohibitively expensive.
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Speaker 2
Yeah, resin can get pricey, especially for larger projects. Have you considered other options, like plastic or metal? They might be more cost effective, depending on the size and complexity of your antidote design.
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Speaker 1
What about clay? Is there a way that I can do clay to where it's, like, more durable and wooden? Would be like, at least as terrible as your average, like, plate in a kitchen?
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Speaker 2
Yes. Firing clay at a high temperature in a kiln makes it much more durable, similar to the plates you'd use in your kitchen. You could also mix in other materials, like sand or grog to make it even stronger. Do you have access to a kiln or would you be using air dry clay?
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Speaker 1
I actually do have access to a pretty large kiln. You.
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Speaker 2
Okay. That's great. Using a kiln will definitely give you more options for creating a durable clay bowl. We can explore different clay types and firing techniques to make sure it's food safe and long lasting. Would you like to start looking into those options?
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Speaker 1
Yes, please.
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Speaker 2
Great. To make sure the clay is food safe, we'll need to use a glaze that's specifically labeled as food safe. We should also look into firing temperatures and techniques to ensure the clay is vitrified, meaning it's non-porous and won't absorb water or bacteria. Do you have any specific clay types in mind, or would you like me to find some options?
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Speaker 1
If you used clay, would you would you do it with a mold?
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Speaker 2
Yes. You could definitely use a mold with clay. There are a few ways to do it. You could press the clay into a mold or use a technique called food café, where you pour liquid clay into a mold. Would you like me to explain either of those methods in more detail?
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Speaker 1
Tell me a little bit about the liquid mold one. I don't think that would be necessary, especially because of the design of this. Maybe if it was a little bit more complex. But I'm curious about the liquid clay.
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Speaker 2
Okay. Slip casting is a cool technique where you pour liquid clay into a plaster mold. The plaster soaks up the water, leaving a clay shell that hardens into your desired shape. It's great for making multiples of the same design, especially if it has intricate details. Does that sound like it could work for your antidote?
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Speaker 1
I think it would be unnecessary because of the design of the mold. It's something that I could easily just press clay into.
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Speaker 2
Okay. Pressing clay into a mold. Sounds like a good plan for your antidote. It's a simpler process, and it'll still give you that consistent shape you're looking for. Have you thought about what kind of mold material you'd like to use?
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Speaker 1
I mean, maybe concrete. Or is that something you would recommend? Like polished concrete?
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Speaker 2
Polished concrete could work for a mold, but it might be a bit tricky to get the level of detail you'd want for the mold. You could also try using a pre-made plastic container as a mold. Something like a food storage container, or even a plastic planter. Would you like me to find some examples of containers that might work?
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Speaker 1
I guess I could 3D print a mold.
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Speaker 2
Yeah, you could definitely 3D print a mold. It would give you a lot of control over the shape and size of your Aunt Mold. What kind of 3D printer do you have access to?
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Speaker 1
A Tron x y 500 millimeter. I think.
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Speaker 2
Okay. With the Tron XYX5. Say you've got a decent sized build volume to work with. You could definitely print a mold for your aunt mode, maybe even in sections. If it's a particularly large design. What material are you thinking of using for the mold?
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Speaker 1
Probably PLA.
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Speaker 2
PLA is a good choice for mold making. It's relatively inexpensive, easy to print with, and strong enough to handle being pressed into clay. Have you considered using any other material?
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Speaker 1
No, I don't really have much experience with other materials yet.
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Speaker 2
Okay, play it is. To get started, you'll need to create a 3D model of your mold. Do you have any experience with 3D modeling software?
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Speaker 1
Yeah. Let's, let's back up a little bit and get back more to the brainstorming phase. I like where we are with pressing clay into a 3D printed mold or a concrete mold. Let's go way back and, talk about potentially making these out of concrete instead of clay.
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Speaker 2
Okay. Let's explore for making the most out of concrete. We'd still use the mold, but the concrete would give it a different look and feel more of a modern industrial vibe. Are there any specific textures or finishes you'd like to achieve with the concrete?
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Speaker 1
Easy to clean.
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Speaker 2
Okay. Easy to clean is key. Polished concrete is less porous and easier to wipe down. You could also seal it for extra protection against stains and spills. Do you want to explore different concrete sealers?
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Speaker 1
Are concrete sealers food safe?
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Speaker 2
Yeah. There are food safe concrete sealers available. Look for sealers specifically labeled as food grade or safe. For food contact. These sealers create a barrier between the concrete and the food, so no harmful substances can leach into the food. Would you like me to find some examples of food safe concrete sealers?
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Speaker 1
No. I would like you to go through the process of making one of these molds, or making one of these and moats using concrete.
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Speaker 2
Sure. The first step would be creating a mold for your aunt mode. You could 3D print one using PLA or even use a plastic container of the mold. Then you'd mix your concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions and pour it into the mold. After it cures, you'd remove the mold and then finish and seal the concrete. Does that sound like a process you'd like to try?
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Speaker 1
Yes. But not right now. We'll come back to that.
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Speaker 2
Okay. No problem. We can explore the finishing and sealing process later. For now, let's focus on the mold. Are you thinking of 3D printing one or using a container?
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Speaker 1
Probably. 3D printing is the most practical.
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Speaker 2
Okay. 3D printing a mold is a great option. It gives you precise control over the shape and size of your ant mode. What software do you plan to use for designing the mold?
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Speaker 1
Okay, Gemini, let's, let's take another back up. Right. We covered the con create, design in a 3D printed or potentially maybe like silicone mold or of some sort. Let's consider, wood cut by a CNC machine.
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Speaker 2
Okay. A CNC cut wood and mode is an interesting idea. Wood is durable, and you could create some cool shapes and designs with a CNC machine. Have you considered what type of wood you'd like to use?
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Speaker 1
Probably something, really nice because it's just a small piece of wood. And hard wood probably retains water better.
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Speaker 2
Hardwoods like maple or cherry would be beautiful and durable. They're less porous, so they'd hold up well with water. You could even add a food safe sealant for extra protection. Do you have a specific shape in mind for the bowl?
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Speaker 1
Yeah, it's got to be that, the water basin with, like, a river around, a slightly smaller food bowl.
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Speaker 2
Okay, so a water basin with a river surrounding a smaller food bowl to make sure the wood hold up well, especially with the water feature. So definitely want to seal it with a food safe option. We can explore some good feeling, or maybe talk about the best way to cut the wood with the CNC machine.
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Speaker 1
To do something like this at scale with a, maybe 30 centimeter by 20 centimeter piece of wood. What kind of 3D printer would you. Not 3D printer, CNC machine. Would you recommend? I have, at 30, 80 off of Amazon. That's like 180 bucks. It probably can't handle this.
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Speaker 2
Okay. For 30cm by 20cm hardwood piece, you'll need a CNC machine with a decent sized cutting area. That 3018 might be a bit too small. You'll also want to make sure it's powerful enough to cut hardwood. Have you looked into any specific CNC machines yet?
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Speaker 1
I have in the past, but I'm not really up with it.
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Speaker 2
Okay no problem. I can help you find a CNC machine that fits your needs to start. What's your budget for the machine?
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Speaker 1
Probably about $1,000.
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Speaker 2
Okay. A budget of around $1,000 gives us some good options. We'll want to look for something with a cutting area of at least 30cm by 20cm. And enough power to handle hardwood. Do you have any preferences for brands or features?
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Speaker 1
No. I think this is going to have to be its own, little research session if I decide to go down this path.
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Speaker 2
Okay. Sounds good. If you decide to go the CNC route, let me know and I can help you find some specific machines that would work for your animate design.
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Speaker 1
Okay, so we've covered 3D printed, we've covered wood, we've covered concrete. And we then covered fired clay. We've covered resin. Is there anything else that you would recommend? Material wise that would be practical for somebody that doesn't have like a giant industrial advantage?
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Speaker 2
We've covered a lot of ground for something practical without needing industrial equipment. You could explore using food grade silicone. It's heat resistant, flexible and easy to clean. You could create a mold and pour the silicone to form your ant mode. Does that sound like it could work?
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Speaker 1
And what would this silicone sit in?
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Speaker 2
Silicone is great because it's nontoxic and easy to clean. It's also heat resistant, so it can handle warm water or even being placed in the dishwasher. Would you like me to find some examples of food grade silicone that would work for your ant mode?
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Speaker 1
Is silicone expensive like resin?
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Speaker 2
Silicone can vary in price depending on the type and quality. Food grade silicone tends to be a bit more expensive than industrial grade, but it's still generally more affordable than resin. Would you like me to find some specific price ranges for food grade silicone?
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Speaker 1
Yes, please.
00;19;29;20 - 00;19;39;06
Speaker 2
Claro silicone is an excellent option. Is lateral flexibility resistant? El agua. Who's to low Q necesita para el Amiga? The Gemini's.
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Speaker 1
Third.
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Speaker 2
Option is the silicone tissue.
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Speaker 1
Do you have any other ideas besides silicone?
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Speaker 2
You could try using a pre-made dish for the food bowl, and then build the water moat around it using polymer clay. It's easy to mold bakes in a regular oven, and you can seal it to make it waterproof. Does that sound like a good option for you?
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Speaker 1
I do like the idea of the, concrete or clay molds. I'm leaning a little bit towards this since heat would. But that's okay.
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Speaker 2
CNC cut wood for the ant moat is a solid plan. It'll give it a nice, natural look. Have you thought about what kind of wood you'd like to use?
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Speaker 1
No. But, I think that we are going to cut this one here.
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Speaker 2
Got it. So you're leaning toward CMC. Cut wood for the ant mode. We can explore wood type sealant or CNC machines whenever you're ready. What would you like to discuss next?
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Speaker 1
I think, we're going to start for today, and we're going to talk about CNC machines soon.
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Speaker 2
Sounds great. I'm here to help whenever you're ready to explore CNC machines. Have a good one.
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Speaker 1
Okay. Thanks, Gemini. You too.