I’m a huge fan of the Cyberbrick hardware. It was essentially what I wanted, was wishing for, around the time Bambu announced it. I don’t know that I think it’s been allowed to reach it’s full potential yet.
I’ve built some 3dsets RC cars and there was another remote control crane model I purchased and started to build, but abandoned. One of the main issues I had with both of these situations was the poorly thought out RC part of the model. 3DSets was better, but it just kind of threw some vague recommendations without any information on the why. It made it frustrating when I couldn’t find the specific components, or when the component they recommended didn’t quite fit right. With that crane, there was motor mounts, but absolutely nothing else for the RC hardware. I would have had to research and figure out a solution, and I just didn’t have time to deal with that, and it was part of why I abandoned the project.
Generally speaking, Cyberbrick is complete, flexible, easy to integrate and easy to install as an end user. Having a whole selection of models built around it too is awesome.
I was surprised more people didn’t talk about it when it was released. All these 3d printer focused channels, and no one really did a video really check it out.
It’s not all sunshine, rainbows, and candy though. The hardware is amazing within certain limits, and if you’re doing smaller RC stuff, it can be perfect. It’s easy to start to push past those limits though. It’s frustrating at times trying to figure out solutions that can work around those limits.
Firstly, can we just have a kit that doesn’t have all the gawd damn hardware. Just the electronics, the cyerbrick units, the power switches, the battery. Leave the servos, the motors, the screws, out of this. I have so many freakin M2.5x6mm machine screws, those rubber tires, the 1:48 gear reduction kits.
Those larger kits are awesome because there are a number of designers that design around the included hardware, but as you get into more advanced models, it’s kind of a waste of hardware. I direct people to buy the kit still because it’s cheaper then buying the parts separately, but it still feels like a waste.
I want an external usb power supply so much. Sooooooo much. Oh my lord and savior, wont you see it to bless me with this simple request, that I might power my cyberbrick by thy wall socket, for thy battery is not the solution for every power need.
I want more control input methods too. Like a knob. Why can’t I have a freakin knob?! I could do a bunch of stuff with a knob. Instead though I have to design a knob that pushes the joystick lever. It makes doing compact, tight, designs difficult.
A more powerful power system overall would be nice. Like 9v, with some 9v capable motors, and beefier servo support. This is one of the big things I’d love. I’ve hit the ceiling/walls of the cyberbrick hardware with every cyberbrick design I’ve done.
I know the scale at which I operate is beyond what the intention was with the design of the hardware, and the component size. Overall, Bambu’s components are suitable for A1 Mini sized designs, but when you get into pushing a 256mm build plate, or the larger 300+ build plates, you can easily go beyond what the Cyberbrick can handle.
I think it’s a huge limit with the Cyberbrick hardware that is part of what holds it back. I think there’s a lot of interest in these larger designs, in stuff that pushes beyond the build plate. Models that…. Think outside the build volume.
Some more sub-boards (whatever they’re called) would be nice. The 2 motor, 4 servo, arrangement is decent for an average, but not suitable for everything. It is a limiting factor.
I think a lot of people focus on it being a micro-controller and want to do micro-controller things with it. I do think some of that is reaching a little (It is a RC component set first, in my mind), however with that being said, I do think the system is a little too locked down. The code snippets are slow, and limited. There’s a bunch of simple things I just can’t do, but if I had proper access, I could. So when you’re doing more interesting projects, it can be a bit limiting at times having to work within the provided framework. Basically, the software is so focused on a specific type of RC model, that it can make it difficult to use the hardware in more interesting ways.
My little follow focus device is a good example of these issues. Having dual motor rates, having a button that switches between which motor is controlled, and having LED status lights. I could not make that work as nicely as it could have, because of the limits of the system. If I had programmed it myself with a micro-controller, it would have been an incredibly easy task.
Also. They do sell USB power for the non-cyberbrick stuff, but it’s all lmited to 5v. I wish they would sell a device that allowed you to connect USB-C PD, so you could get like 9v or 12v out of it. I mean, I could buy a USB-C PD trigger board, and easily integrate it into the design. I don’t think it’d even be that hard for regular users to do it.
One thing I really appropriate about the Maker’s Supply though is the ease of which it is to use the components they offer, and having this centralized source that I can lean against, where I can be confident that people can find and purchase the correct hardware. It’s designed for the every day consumer too, so I don’t have to expect anyone to have soldering skills! Haha.
As you said.
