Old Lumens Flashlight Challenge 2019 - Final Results

I think a thing to remember here is that 3d printed entries would (in theory) be ONLY against 3d printed entries.
There should not be a scenario where a 3d printed entry will be up against anything other than another 3d printed one. Peoples choice was a waste of time this year, if you take out our votes, and the entrants basically no one bothered to vote - it’s a bit of a dead category. ‘How many flashlights are in your kitchen?’ is apparently more appealing to voters - puts it in perspective. :person_facepalming:

Because there is no earthly way for anyone (judges whoever they will be) to be able to check what has or has not borrowed/used/changed/downloaded plans parts etc etc then I’m almost inclined to let them do what they want, so longs as the entire outside is by them/designed by them.
Surely if they are all on the same level playing field, and only against each other, does it really matter? I dunno, maybe I’m wrong?

Ultimately this is an entirely new category, it’s about 3d printed stuff only - so maybe let the people who do the 3d stuff sort rules etc out between them and judge it /organise prizes? seems quite a good idea to me? :slight_smile:

It’s also fairer, because most of us know nothing about 3d printing - I know about engineering (albeit old school) but couldn’t tell you the first thing about 3d printing really, so wouldn’t, wasn’t maybe fairly equipped to judge in some ways, as in considering all the work that went on behind scenes etc to get that ‘good print’.

This challenge/contest is awesome and one of the things that make this forum stand out as a community for enthusiasts and “guests” like myself. The build-threats are so much fun to read and learn and be entertaint by. I really enjoyed all of it. Thank you participants and organizers!

If I may add my 2 cents from an outsider perspectiv regarding the 3D printing.
It’s a new and coming technology and very much exciting as was demonstrated in this challenge.

The core of this challenge is building a light from start to finish, showing skills, craftmansship and knowlegde of the tools and processes involved - and having fun doing it.
That’s why - to me - it feels different to design a light and print it myself compared to designing the parts and let some company do the printing. This is also true considering CNC work.
Having somebody do “the work” leaves only design and assembly for oneself. And that does not feel like “building”.

But why is it diffent from using a storebought driver, batteryholder or O-rings, screws and the like? Those are standardparts available for everyone and do not make a light unique and stand out.

3D printing is use of a machine equal to using CNC or lathe, so I’d say same catergory. But one has to do the work oneself to demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed for the tools one chose to use.

But all that is really based on my understanding of “building” versus “assembling” a light.

i’d hate to be printing parts for someone, you print his file, and parts do not fit right, cuz you printed them in different orientation, and shrinkage is different in z axis vs x and y. with abs, or you printed someone’s part, and have a rough surface due to supports, when you design, and print yourself you know these things and design\print to avoid that, drawing part in 3d software without knowledge how it prints, will result is problems for both. cnc is easier in that regard. no supports, no shrinkage to compensate, 5mm on the drawing translates in 5 mm in material, not always so with 3d print,

Just wanted to give an update on my prize: I’ve used the voucher on led4power store, and added some other stuff I need.
Currently, the mail from there cannot be sent to Portugal, but we are in contact and as soon as possible, it will be shipped!

No mods for a while here :weary:

Stay safe folks!

Mine is at the post office waiting for pickup but cant get there until monday.

My 2 cents on the 3d printed category
downloaded files for models should be allowed. Plagiarism is part and parcel of the internet, programming and computers.
But the printer is your machine and the person who enters should operate the machine that makes the light. That is what the competition is about. Making a light.

i have not gotten any news on my prize, no tracking yet. i hope i get it this time, i’m still waiting on hke xeno light from 5th contest.

The surface finish of even the shapeways prints is quite bad, so you wouldn’t really get good results with just assembling them as-is.
How about a requirement that 3D Printed parts have a surface treatment by the contestant? That adds back in the personal touch and skill.

Again using some Tofty pics:

Shapeways Metal as-is

Shapeways Metal with sanding and polishing

Shapeways plastic as-is

idk why his sideway plastik looks that bad, it can be pretty smooth if printed at 0.1 res. even 0.2 is still better, i used 0.2 res, and no fume smoothing, in my build, you actually get better finish on sides than top, but you have to orient it right for printing. that is why i believe designer and “printer” should be same person.
actually top can be pretty smooth too, if you use ironing option, but that is for fdm printers. sla printers offer much better res.

Shapeways uses powder based printers, so the surface is powdery. And that stuff can’t be vapor-smoothed either.

powder plastic?? that is something i never knew

Yep, it’s called SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)

Message sent to Skillhunt.

Old Lumens and CRX say:

Y’all need to be makin’ proper hand made lights with hacksaws & files!

:smiley:

Reylight got mine in the mail quick and it is in New York today :confounded:

Sir, yes sir :smiley: :smiling_imp:

(not making a light, though :innocent: )

Oh ho ho, don’t think us 3D Modelers don’t have skills. I grew up on a family farm. I was making bird houses as soon as I could lift a hammer. Plywood Christmas tree decorations as soon as I could lift a jig saw. My Dad and I had an epic shop. We built metal weldaments constantly, and I did a lot of various builds myself too. My dad bought a junk riding mower once just so I could have fun tearing it and the engine apart to the last bolt. My knowledge of everything mechanical was so well known, an local mechanic with epic skills himself offered me a job as his first employee just based on what he heard. I took that job and worked there for years until I started college. I did an incredible job finding and fixing hard problems fast on both cars, trucks, and tractors. During college I took a 3D Modelling class. After college I moved away from home and no longer had a shop that lived up to my expectations. But discovered 3D Modeling was even more fun and useful. I sent a lot of metal working jobs to local shops that I modeled. I discovered CAD was a better fit for my work/family/life. Plus I just don’t have room to built a massive shop to meet my expectations. So I spent $4254 on a Solidworks license and built a $1200 PC to run it. I really know how to have fun. Life is good. :slight_smile:

So yea :stuck_out_tongue:

Joshk - Hand Made entry for the 8th!
If I can turn you all there won’t be any problems with new rules & categories :laughing:
Right, who’s next to bite… :smiley:

There. Fixed that for you. :)

Ok, ok, if you 1st create the 3D modeler app from scratch. :D

(and no, I haven't done that, but I have been involved in developing one for almost 25 years)

Mini lathes aren’t expensive after all :smiley:

I’m interested to see what happens at the next comp :nerd_face:

yea, that is kinda expensive,
my 123design soft is absolutely free to download from their site, and i run it on 300 dollar laptop. thou it did slow down a lot, to almost freezing when i did the pattern.

Omg that’s disgusting! I am so sad to hear that alpg88 - did no one sort it out for you? who did the prizes that time time?