Today was a techy day, and I spent much of it reading to refresh my memory of statistics (college Introduction to Stats for Math Majors was long ago; I did it as a summer class for an intense month or so). It was still fun that I could remember some of the words and terms from 1984! This was before computers overtook the field, and I had to learn the old-school approach. My data science text covers much, but sadly breezes through some of it, as it is not needed for today’s data scientist or for building data sets to load into Artificial Intelligence models. Much of the stats work I learned back in the 80s is now obscure and unnecessary–computer-based options are better. Much like the skills to do the bead test in geology, and bending and making pipettes from glass tubes for chemistry. We have safer, easier, and better options now. Still, it is good to refresh these concepts in my mind.
My print for a plate failed in my new printer, and I had a mess to deal with. The failure also likely poisoned the resin (i.e., bits of hardened resin floating in it now that will ruin a detailed print, like a Dungeons and Dragons 28mm figure). I was not sure why this started.
I wrote the blog in the morning, enjoying a truncated pot of coffee started by the timer at 7. I had woken with sunrise, rolled over, and finally rose. My dreams were forgotten, but I remembered them again on Sunday morning. I was on a bus, and a pleasant driver told me I could nap until we reached my stop–she would wake me–this was my second time on the bus. I was becoming a regular. It was driving through a mix of Portland and NYC. My stop was after 82nd (where Zabar’s is) and the Lloyd Center Mall in Portland, combined in dream logic. It was a friendly trip and a pleasant dream as we traveled through the dreamy Portland-NYC with me sleeping and waking in my dream at different stops. I also thought of statistics, AI, and bagels as I traveled in the dream. I must have reached my stop as I woke with the sunrise.
With the blog done, Mom Wild’s next postcard in the mail, and showered, shaved, and dressed, I returned to 3D printing. I took the failed print, reloaded the STL file, spun it, and supported it. I then downloaded this to a USB stick and carried it to the printer. I put on a mask and gloves. I checked the resin, which seemed OK, and started the print. There was no pause to heat the tank, it was cold at 18°C. F**k. The heater is not on! I abandon the print. I return to the printing software and rebuild the print this time with three smaller prints without support or anything. This should pool in the tank and fail if that problem persists. It is only eighteen minutes to print.
I watch the second half of a Severance episode while I wait. It works, and I pried the prints from the printing plate without accident, washed them, and cured them. I painted them with black primer; they reacted to the sunlight. These photo-reactive resin-based printings need UV protection. I do this usually with a coat of primer. I could see on the prints some flakes of hardened resin; the resin is poisoned. I must run it through the funnel with the screen to get that fixed. I also have another recently purchased bottle of 1000g of grey alcohol cleaning resin. I can start over if it becomes an issue.
With the prints done, I realized it was after 2, and I had only coffee and some pound cake to eat. I took Air VW the Gray to Carl’s Jr., committed a dietary sin, and had a fantastic Western Burger with bacon, fries, and a Diet Coke. It was wonderful. I ate it in the car in the parking lot, enjoying the sunny day and listening to Oregon Public Broadcasting (I had to get my OPB in before the cuts hit on October 1st).
I returned home and talked to Deborah and Dondrea. Dondrea was working in her garden but was looking for an atomic star for her retro pink Christmas tree in her basement. I found examples, but nothing that fit the bill. After Dondrea rang off, I found a tree topper that I could print about 90% size on my printer. Resin printers are for small, precise items. I put in supports, got most of it to fit, and started a ten-hour print, validating that the resin heater is enabled.
I have felt that I need to get back to Python and AI for the last couple of months, and this weekend has little in it, so I grabbed my textbook and headed to Wildwood to read. I saw JR and gave him one of the Enigma plates I made. I then read the whole chapter on types of distribution and how to validate them.
I mostly sat outside, once talking to Deborah as she went to bed early, and reading. When it was dark and after getting Curry Chicken from the local food joint, it was almost too spicy for me to eat. I did not finish the rice as that is not good for me (my diabetes may be controlled, but rice still hits me too hard). Naan wrapped the hot and spicy chicken bits for me.
Somewhere on Saturday, I loaded the breadmaker with ingredients for French bread. The final product was a bit dense. I think I will have to look for faster yeast. I also used bread flour, and maybe plain flour would be better. I have more to learn. The bread has a good flavor, and now I can make a sandwich!
I watched more Severance until midnight, put on my PJs, remade the bed (I washed the sheets after stripping the bed and got the other sheets out—I change them every week), and soon fell asleep. In my dreams, I got on the bus and toured all night. I woke to prove hydration and was then back on the bus with a smile from the bus driver.
Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 