RepRap: Blog

I put the Probe 11 into a probe holder and etched it in the μRepRap Stage cell. Immediately apparent was that the hypochlorite etch at corroded absolutely huge fissures in the thing:

Way too much. Also, genius here should have bent the probe tip so that it contacted the meniscus at 90 degrees but got carried away. So having a wreck, I experimented on it anyway as you do.

If you look at the very top of the probe in the image you will see a tiny peak. This is where the probe actually contacts the meniscus. I lifted the probe so that the meniscus was pulled up from the surface, and let it etch until the meniscus dropped off. That little peak is the result.

I'm going to etch another probe in NaCl, but immersing to 15mm. This should give a more even cross-section. I'll then try a few etchings on it to attempt to smooth off about 0.5mm, then try to put a point on the very tip of that. Remembering to bend the probe for 90 degree contact this time.

I will also be buying a better microscope for the side view on the μRepRap. Using the good one to take probe photos has made me realise just how held back I have been by the cheap microscope.