Tuesday, September 16, 2025

An Inventive Perspective on Printing Exterior the Field


From large statues to hydroponics, MatterHackers’ July Hacker of the Month, Andrew Harmon, designs and constructs artwork items along with useful initiatives.

Final month, we revealed an article on exceeding the construct quantity of your printer – you will discover it right here in the event you missed it. Properly, if anybody has been exceeding construct volumes, in addition to expectations, it is Andrew Harmon. Harmon, July’s Hacker of the Month, has mastered transcending the restricted area that sure 3D printers permit.

Harmon’s 3D printed sculpture – over 4 meters tall!

Harmon, {an electrical} engineer by diploma and tremendous display printer by evening, has been concerned with 3D printing since 2011 when he labored for Fab Lab Tulsa. “I spent many hours tweaking parameters and doing upgrades on an early equipment constructed Factor-O-Matic that was the lab’s 3d printer,” remembers Harmon, “I then began printing elements to construct my first printer, a Prusa i2/3 hybrid – from there I used to be hooked.”

Presently, Harmon prints on all kinds of printers, most of which he has designed and constructed himself, together with a big format printer and a excessive velocity DLP resin printer. He tries to print with as many various specialty filaments that he can get his fingers on distinctive initiatives, however for bigger scale, or on a regular basis printing, Harmon prefers to make use of PLA. 

Harmon has undoubtedly taken benefit of the massive scale printer that he constructed by dreaming up a grandiose, stunning sculpture. 

Harmon’s massive printer arduous at work

 


A more in-depth view of Harmon’s sculpture

 


Though a lot of the printing that Harmon does is for useful functions, he does prefer to nurture his creative aspect: “I often design and print elements which can be extra for enjoyable or artwork. I like to point out folks the unimaginable issues which can be doable with know-how!” The sculpture is at the moment on show of an area artwork gallery and artist’s workshop. 

Harmon used MatterHackers’ 10lb PRO PLA spools of filament for portion of this print job – the legs alone had been virtually 1kg of filament every! Meeting was clearly required right here, which solidifies the truth that some design work and half segmentation means that you can print properly outdoors the scale of any construct quantity.

Meeting in progress

 


The artist himself – Harmon for scale

 


Harmon additionally creates many useful merchandise, like elements for different printers that he’s constructing, or that assist profit his life-style. To assist him maintain in form in the course of the harsh winter months, he designed and printed a rig that enables him to transform his bicycle into an indoor stationary one.

Candy indoor experience

 


He is additionally printed a Nutrient Movie Method hydroponic system (NFT) to assist develop crops indoor in a small quantity of area – excellent for metropolis residing. 

Harmon’s NFT system

 


A window filled with homegrown basil due to 3D printing? Sure, please!

 


Harmon embodies what 3D printing is all about: performance, creativity, resourcefulness, and creativeness. Whether or not you might be printing massive items of artwork in your small printer, or serving to folks develop contemporary herbs of their studio condo, keep in mind that it is all about having enjoyable. Simply ask Andrew Harmon – he is aware of the way it’s finished. Take a look at his cookie-froster to see for your self!

Print up some candy treats!

 


Do you suppose you have got what it takes to be our subsequent Hacker of the Month? Merely observe us on Fb/Twitter or e mail media@matterhackers.com. Inform us about your venture or 3D printed creation, and you would be featured in our subsequent publication. Hacker of the Month can even win 3 free spools of PRO Collection PLA or ABS filament to additional their pursuit of 3D printing greatness.

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