Managing a print farm comes with a lot of ups and downs, but it doesn't have to be a bad experience! 

Managing a print farm may seem like it shouldn't be that complicated. It is tricky in ways you wouldn't expect, and it certainly comes with some life lessons!From choosing the right printer to optimizing filament and settings, we share our journey and lessons learned in building an efficient 3D printing farm.Whether you're running a single 3D printer or managing a fleet, this episode is packed with practical advice to save you time, money, and frustration. YouTube video about the print farm manager Stephen made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHku1zc3RQs ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>Ad song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qov8H5e_d5k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forever Young</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul> <ul><li> </li></ul>

Ep. 34 - Managing a Print Farm

We chat with Bar Smith, the innovative mind behind the Maslow CNC. From an idea to a very successful Kickstarter, Bar's journey is a fascinating one!

Join Stephen and Lucian on an exciting episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast as they chat with Bar Smith, the innovative mind behind the Maslow CNC. We hope you enjoy this talk about the world of open-source hardware and community building as Bar shares his journey from a random thought to creating a revolutionary CNC router, the Maslow 4.1. You will learn about the struggles of developing a large-format CNC router that allows anyone access to fabrication tools while keeping everything open-source. Plus, you'll discover how Bar's unique approach to open-source development and community engagement has shaped the evolution of the Maslow project. Whether you're a maker, an entrepreneur, or just curious about open hardware, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of collaboration and innovation. Don't miss the chance to support Bar's latest <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/maslow4/maslow41-accessible-large-format-cnc-router/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a> for the <a href="https://www.maslowcnc.com/about-maslow4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maslow 4.1</a>, a testament to the ongoing journey of making CNC technology accessible to everyone. Click <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/maslow4/maslow41-accessible-large-format-cnc-router/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the Kickstarter link and be part of this exciting project! ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 33 - Guest: Bar Smith of Maslow CNC

The constant battle of making your docs clearer and easier.

Writing documentation is like a Greek tragedy, where you are both the best and worst person to write your own docs. In this episode, Stephen and Lucian dive deep into the art of creating effective documentation for open hardware products. Join us as we explore the balance between text and images, the downsides of video documentation, and the ever-evolving nature of keeping your docs up-to-date. Whether you're a seasoned doc writer or just getting started, you'll find valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your documentation process. Mentioned in this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://youtu.be/NHHZSNw9J2o?t=26" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bill Hader - "when they tell you what's wrong they're usually right, when they tell you how to fix it they're usually wrong"</a></li><li><a href="https://developers.google.com/style" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Googles Style Guide </a></li><li><a href="https://blog.thea.codes/the-design-of-the-juno-dco/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thea Flowers beautiful example of great documentation</a></li></ul> ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 32 - How to Write Documentation

There are many reasons why an event can benefit a company besides selling units at your booth. Stephen and Lucian tell you about the trade show that opened their eyes to the fact that people wanted the LumenPnP for something we were not even considering.

Surprisingly, there are many other reasons why an event can benefit a company besides selling units at your booth. From making industry connections to gauging what your customer demographic wants, it can be a great place to gather data that could help you shape your company's direction. In this episode, Stephen and Lucian tell you about the trade show that opened their eyes to the fact that people wanted the LumenPnP for something we were not even considering, leading to a whole new branch of customers and a significant increase in sales. Sit back and relax as we discuss the good and bad aspects of events in this episode of the OHM Podcast! ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>Ad song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qov8H5e_d5k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forever Young</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 31 - Going to Events

A horse kicked around a LumenPnP. Did it survive? Packaging is something that requires a lot of planning for the future. You'd be surprised by some of the design choices that are made in the name of packaging. 

Packaging requires considering what you might need in the future, which is not as easy as you think. You don't want to bottleneck your future products because they won't fit in the packaging, nor do you want to buy all new packaging for every change you make. You'd be surprised by some of the design choices made in the name of packaging.&nbsp; Did I forget to mention that a horse kicked, bit, and stomped a LumenPnP? You never know what your packaging might go up against. YouTube video we did about packaging a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku4Wvu6LsrU----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 30 - Avoiding Packaging Mistakes

Finding the right way to offer customer support can be tricky. You can't run everything yourself forever if you intend to continue your growth. Don't wait until it's to late!

Finding the right way to offer customer support can be tricky. You can't run everything yourself forever if you intend to continue your growth. There are so many ways this can go wrong, so make sure to take the time to plan this out as best as possible before you dive in. In this episode, we will dive deep into how we handled building our support team and the hurdles that came with it. ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>Ad song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qov8H5e_d5k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forever Young</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 29 - Managing Customer Support

With the launch of the LumenPnP V4 now under our belts, we dive into the design decisions that went into making this massive update

It's here! The LumenPnP V4 is finally here, and we wanted to share some of our design decisions and explain why we made some of the choices we did. From wants to necessity, it wasn't easy. It took years of feedback, but we couldn't be happier with what has come from all of it. We wouldn't be where we are without the help of our community and the hard work they put into this as well. Thank you! To learn more about the brand new LumenPnP V4.0: <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/lumenpnp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a> ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 28 - Design Decisions

You've done everything possible to prepare for launch, and now that day is here. If you thought the work was over, guess again. 

You did it! You worked hard to prepare everything for launch day, but now it is time to put it all into action. Take what you have learned from the last two episodes and prepare for one of the most fun and stressful days you will ever have. Stephen and Lucian have experienced their fair share of ups and downs with different launch days and are ready to share their best practices with you. If you thought the hard work stopped here, guess again. ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>Ad song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qov8H5e_d5k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forever Young</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 27 - Launch Day

As we gear up for launch day, listen to the conclusion of preparing for launch. This will be everything(else) you need to know to get ready.

As we gear up for launch day, listen to the conclusion of Preparing for Launch. (If you haven't listened to Part 1, we highly recommend doing so before diving into this episode!) Stephen and Lucian will cover topics like internal work instructions, setting up your PLM software, press kits, and so much more. This is really fun to talk about because we are also in the middle of this right now. It's been fun and quite meta. We hope you enjoy this episode! Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 26 - Preparing for a Product Launch - Part 2

Open Hardware is hard. But the juice is worth the squeeze.

Ever wonder how a radically open-source company can be successful? Why do most companies live long enough to watch the hero become the villain? Sit back and relax as your hosts, Stephen and Lucian, cover some of the latest tech stories as well as interview people from hobbyists to CEOs as we discover the best and most interesting ways to succeed in today's world.

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Lucian Chapar

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