Hello All - My Introduction to 3D printing

I have been INTO 3D printers for years -- since I tend to do as hobbies, things other people do as careers (Engineering for one) - and after doing research for months I wanted to make my own from scratch.

I found old printers, copiers, scanners, etc and took them apart for gears, motors, belts etc, and even found a few printer/copier cases I want to use to make them with. <-- All that is a fun hobby just on its' own. One of them I still plan to use - despite just buying a commercial model (Solidoodle 3- Elite) a couple weeks ago from the online store - and will call it Frankie since its gonna be a monster! <-- that is a story for later.

What I really would like to do with my printer first tho is to help in another hobby I have. And that is to help build my Airplane Cockpit Simulator. I have the Main Console built up. so will be starting with the Individual control panels (with back-lighting built-in by the printer) to face-plates, Knobs, Annunciators, internal hardware and the innards of the working real-life like backup instruments, etc., etc.

The reason I'm so hyped on this is because I use simulation software from Microsoft called FSX along with other software that allows the cockpitl controls to hook up thru an interface card that via USB will communicate to FSX and control the aircraft in the simulation with the real live switches, rotary encoders, joysticks, etc. mounted in the instrument panels of the cockpit I build. and the computer in turn communicates back to the simulator which control the instruments, displays, indicators and even move the throttles and control wheels during auto-pilot mode as well as the scenery displayed outside the cockpit.

When done it will be just like the real airliner cockpit. And by adding a shell that looks as much like the real thing (at least from the pilot seat) you look out on wide screen TV/Projectors that if done right makes it seem like you are flying a real aircraft thru the skies (with actual real-life driven weather if u wish). Also the simulator connects to a world-wide Aviation network that allows you to use the communication radios in the cockpit to talk to other pilots and real life control tower operators who are playing the 'game' as your flight controller (watching u on radar screens - generated by FSX as well) and except for ambiance aircraft (which you can turn on or off) every plane in your sky is piloted by a real-life human at its controls. (formation flying anyone?). Never heard of this? Check Youtube for '737 Home Cockpit Approaching Innsbruck'

And since the simulation uses real physics based on the real aircraft and it's actual performance envelopes, you get a fantastically life-like experience while you fly into airports all around the world with thousands of others doing the very same thing. In other words it is a MMON or massively Multiplayer Online network.

Other than that there will be tons of other things to build.

So the first thing i need to do is tweak the printer and learn how to print very flat (unbent) Panels, lol.