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New to 3D Printing? Here are 7 Tips

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Not too long ago, 3D printing only existed in science fiction. Today, it is fast becoming part of everyday life, far from the closed world of laboratories and factories.

Today, anyone who is interested in 3D printing can access the hardware at a reasonable price. But even though the technology is more accessible than ever, it is still a relatively complex matter.

Here are our 7 tips for 3D printing:

Master Calibration

One of the first things you must learn how to do is to calibrate your 3D printer for the most accurate results. This should be one of the very first skills to learn.

If you haven’t calibrated your printer properly, you can easily end up with everything coming out wrong, including your tester cubes.

Invest in digital calipers that will help you to measure precisely the dimensions of your test object.

Start by printing basic objects like cubes and other objects with interesting angles. Your calipers will help you to check the accuracy of the process.

Square Off

It will take a while to master the skills to create excellent objects. Get familiar with the 3D printing process and hone your skills with practice.

Get practice by printing out many square cubes measuring 20mm. As you do this, you will also be getting familiar with your device and how it works.

You don’t have to do boring cubes. Cut cross-sections, add hollow items, and these will help you to check the accuracy of the perimeters.

Patience Pays

If you are in a hurry, you may find that the reality is far from the expectation. The truth is that it takes some patience and skill to come up with functional print outs.

Give yourself time and embrace the learning process. If you give yourself time, you will become successful at it.

The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts

Once you have made enough cubes, you can move on to more complex objects. One of the best ways to work your way up is to start with complex objects that you assemble manually.

It is easier to print many simpler objects than to print our complex objects. Errors are a lot easier and cheaper to correct without redoing everything.

Learn CAD

Computer-aided-design or CAD is a technique for creating the 3d printed designs that you feed into your 3D printer and the designs determine your output.

There are a lot of 3D printers who never learn CAD. But they can only use designs from other people. They cannot come up with their own designs for 3D printing.

Once you learn CAD, you can pursue your 3D printing passion even further.

Starting from a design to a physical end product will give you so much satisfaction.

The 0.25mm Margin Rule

What happens when you print out your designs but they don’t fit together? The 0.25mm rule comes in handy to provide you a margin of error so that all your moving parts fit.

If you plan on inserting a pole into a larger block, the hold should be larger by 0.25mm. This extra 0.25mm is your margin of error.

Plug In

There are tons of people who have already started 3D printing. If you plug into their online communities, you can exchange information and learn from other people’s experiences instead of making all your own mistakes.

These communities are rich sources of information, inspiration, and designs. 3D printing is a fairly complex venture and you will need all the help you can get.

3D printing is a fun and exciting hobby. Follow these tips and you will grow into a 3D printing expert.

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Revolutionizing Fitness: The Best Wearable and Fitness Tech of CES 2024

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The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 has once again set the stage for groundbreaking innovations in the realm of fitness and wearable technology. This year’s showcase has been particularly notable for its array of smartwatches, fitness headphones, health wearables, and smart rings, each offering unique features designed to enhance our health and fitness experiences.

Smartwatches: A Blend of Style and Functionality

At CES 2024, Garmin unveiled the Garmin Lily 2, a smartwatch that epitomizes elegance and utility. Weighing a mere 20.6g, the Lily 2 features a hidden display that reveals itself upon tapping, blending seamlessly with its fashionable design. It includes connected GPS, a pulse oximeter, and a battery life of five days, making it a versatile accessory for the health-conscious. Priced at $249.99, it’s a testament to Garmin’s commitment to combining fashion with fitness.

In contrast, the Casio G-Shock Rangeman GPR-H1000 is built for the rugged adventurer. It’s equipped with heart rate monitoring, a pulse oximeter, built-in GPS, and Casio’s Triple Sensor technology. This $500 smartwatch is designed to withstand extreme conditions, offering durability alongside its advanced features.

The Rise of Smart Rings

Smart rings have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional fitness watches. The Amazfit Helio ring challenges the status quo with detailed sleep tracking and readiness scoring, available for an annual fee of $69.99. Meanwhile, the Evie smart ring, priced at $269, targets women’s health with an open ring design and AI-driven insights into sleep, blood oxygen, and heart health, without the need for a subscription.

Fitness Headphones: A New Era of Workout Coaching

Mojawa’s HaptiFit Terra headphones represent a significant leap in fitness technology. These bone conduction headphones, priced at $199.99, feature an AI sports trainer and vibration-based training guidance, offering a unique approach to fitness coaching. Sennheiser also made waves with its new Momentum Sport headphones, which include built-in fitness tracking and a PPG heart rate sensor, priced at $329.95.

Health Wearables: Empowering Independence

One of the most impactful innovations at CES 2024 was the GyroGlove, designed to counter Parkinson’s tremors. Priced at $5,899 per hand, this FDA Class-1 approved glove has been a game-changer for individuals like Roberta Wilson-Garrett, enabling them to perform daily tasks with greater ease. Additionally, the Vixion 01 specs, a pair of glasses that automatically correct vision, showcased the potential of health wearables to significantly improve quality of life.

Conclusion

CES 2024 has highlighted the ever-evolving landscape of wearable and fitness technology. From stylish smartwatches like the Garmin Lily 2 to the rugged Casio G-Shock Rangeman, and from innovative smart rings to health-transforming wearables like the GyroGlove, this year’s event has set a new benchmark in the integration of technology with health and fitness. As we continue to witness these advancements, it’s clear that the future of personal health and fitness is increasingly intertwined with cutting-edge technology.

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Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350: A Comprehensive Review of the Versatile and Nearly Perfect Home Security Solution

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In the ever-evolving landscape of home security, Eufy has emerged as a front-runner, combining cutting-edge technology and user-friendly features. The Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350, a pan/tilt dual security camera, has seamlessly integrated into existing home security setups, proving to be an indispensable asset.

Pricing and Availability

The Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350 is available at Amazon.

Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350 Review

The standout feature of the Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350 is its dual-camera system housed in a single body. One camera boasts a wide-angle lens with a 130-degree field of view, capturing clear 4K resolution footage. The second camera features a telephoto lens with 2K resolution, offering 3x optical zoom and an impressive 8x digital zoom. Both cameras have a low aperture of f/1.6, ensuring optimal performance in low-light conditions.

The device’s ability to pan, tilt, and swivel in any direction provides a complete 360-degree coverage, making it an ideal choice for comprehensive monitoring. Notably, the camera smoothly tracks objects in motion without any staggering, thanks to its advanced tracking capabilities.

One notable feature is the compatibility with the HomeBase 3, a hub for Eufy security devices that supports local storage. While the HomeBase 3 enhances the overall system, it’s not a mandatory purchase for using the Indoor Cam S350. The camera can store footage on an inserted microSD card of up to 128GB, providing an alternative to cloud storage and enabling live notifications of detected motion.

Often marketed as a baby monitor or pet cam, the Indoor Cam S350 serves multiple purposes. I chose to integrate it into my existing Eufy security system, which includes outdoor cameras, doorbell camera, and some older indoor cameras. The seamless integration allows for a live view within the same app, enhancing overall convenience.

The camera’s performance is commendable, with quick notifications upon detecting motion and minimal false alerts. The ability to swiftly hide its lenses during privacy mode ensures privacy without compromising on security.

However, a desirable addition would be the ability to schedule privacy mode activation and a manual engagement button, enhancing user control.

What We Think

The Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350 is a top-tier choice for those seeking a versatile indoor security camera. Whether used as a pet cam, baby monitor, or integrated into an existing security system, its capabilities shine through with clear, high-resolution images. While a couple of additional features could enhance the user experience, the camera’s overall performance makes it a recommended choice for anyone prioritizing home security and surveillance.

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Exploring the Pinnacle of Television Technology: A Deep Dive into the Best TV Brands of 2023

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In the ever-evolving world of consumer electronics, televisions remain a central piece of technology in most households. As we step into 2023, the quest for the best TV brand continues, with consumers seeking a blend of innovation, quality, and value. This article delves into the latest offerings from top TV brands, highlighting their unique features and technological advancements.

LG: A Leader in OLED Technology

LG G2 OLED TV

  • Pros:
    • Exceptional HDR peak brightness.
    • 120 Hz refresh rate and VRR support enhance gaming experience.
    • Impressive black levels suitable for movie nights.
  • Cons:
    • Strong ABL in bright environments.
    • Purple tints caused by bright light reflections.
    • Poor upscaling of 480p content.
  • Verdict: The LG G2 stands out in lit rooms due to its peak brightness of 590.54 nits. Its HDMI 2.1 support is ideal for modern consoles, and the WebOS software offers a user-friendly experience. However, its anti-reflective coating and processor’s upscaling capabilities could be improved.

LG G2 OLED TV on Amazon

Sony: Balancing Performance and Aesthetics

Sony A90J OLED TV

  • Pros:
    • Near-perfect black levels.
    • Accurate visuals at wide viewing angles.
    • Impressive contrast and color gamut.
  • Cons:
    • Potential for burn-in.
    • Brightness could be better compared to LCD/LED TVs.
    • Lacks VRR until a firmware update.
  • Verdict: The Sony A90J is a solid choice for both gaming and movies, offering crisp 4K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Its peak brightness and burn-in potential are minor drawbacks.

Sony A90J OLED TV on Amazon

Samsung: Innovating with QD-OLED Technology

Samsung S90C TV

  • Pros:
    • Near-infinite contrast ratio for perfect blacks.
    • Peak brightness of 2,000 nits suitable for bright rooms.
    • Wide viewing angle and low input lag/response time.
  • Cons:
    • Aggressive Auto Brightness Limiter (ABL).
    • No support for DTS or Dolby Vision.
  • Verdict: The Samsung S90C excels with its OLED panel, offering perfect blacks and bright highlights. Its QD-OLED technology produces vibrant colors, but the aggressive ABL can be distracting.

Samsung S90C TV on Amazon

Hisense: Affordable Quality

Hisense U8G

  • Pros:
    • Low input lag and fantastic color and brightness.
    • Supports Dolby Vision.
    • Good Google Assistant integration.
  • Cons:
    • Poor viewing angles.
    • Subpar built-in audio.
    • Overzealous motion smoothing.
  • Verdict: A great option for gamers, the Hisense U8G offers excellent contrast and color handling. However, its viewing angles and audio quality leave room for improvement.

Hisense U8G on Amazon

TCL: Balancing Performance and Price

TCL 5 Series QLED TV

  • Pros:
    • Deep blacks with local dimming.
    • Fast response times and low input lag.
  • Cons:
    • Low peak brightness for HDR content.
    • No VRR technology or HDMI 2.1 support.
  • Verdict: Ideal for casual gamers, the TCL 5 Series offers great color handling and HDR performance. Its lack of VRR and HDMI 2.1 support are notable limitations.

TCL 5 Series QLED TV on Amazon

Vizio: Striking a Balance

Vizio M-Series Quantum X TV

  • Pros:
    • Above-average peak brightness for its price.
    • HDMI 2.1 inputs and Wi-Fi 6E.
    • 120Hz native refresh rate with VRR support.
  • Cons:
    • Not as bright as mini LED models.
    • Only 30 local dimming zones.
    • Narrow viewing angles.
  • Verdict: The Vizio M-Series Quantum X offers a respectable peak brightness and a good contrast ratio. Its performance is balanced, making it a solid choice for those on a budget.

Vizio M-Series Quantum X TV on Amazon

What to Look for in the Best TV Brands

When selecting a TV, consider the following:

  1. Image Quality: Look for strong image quality, which can be subjective based on personal preference.
  2. Display Technology: Understand the differences between OLED, LED, LCD, and QLED.
  3. Display Resolution: Choose between HD and Ultra HD (4K), with 4K being the future of display resolution.
  4. Refresh Rate and Audio Quality: Don’t rely solely on refresh rate marketing ploys and consider external audio solutions for better sound quality.

Conclusion

The best TV for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s the immersive experience of an OLED TV from LG or Sony, the innovative QD-OLED technology from Samsung, the affordability of Hisense and TCL, or the balanced performance of Vizio, there’s a TV out there that fits your lifestyle and budget. Remember, the best TV is one that meets your viewing habits, offers the features you need, and falls within your budget.

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