Under Development.

Strangely enough, this bit isn't finished yet. However, we can tell you that you can make one from supplied parts, or you can build the parts yourself.

Building one yourself from scratch can, and will, be done. Simon has already started doing this, and has named the concept RepStrap. It could be, as is the case with Vik, that some great benefactor has provided you with the parts - it happens sometimes - or, as with Adrian you have a machine shop capable of either automatically or manually generating the needed bits.

Either way, you will need:

• The aforementioned parts
• Basic tools
• A frame
• A 12V Power Supply
• A computer
• A serial port
• The software

Parts

These come in two groups: Those made for the RepRap, and the ones you buy in. One day a kit will probably include both, but that'll take time.

The assemblies in a RepRap break down as follows:

• At least 3 axis assemblies
• The extruder assemblies
• Control systems
• Computer interface

Tools

• Screwdrivers or allen keys etc. to suit all the bolts.
• Pliers
• Wire stripper, or knife and scarred thumb
• Calipers with 0.1mm resolution.

The Frame

You will need to anchor the RepRap to the ground in such a way as to prevent it vibrating, either due to its own motion or being knocked by interested passers-by. Obviously, it needs to old all the bits very firmly in place and not flex or warp in any way - particularly as we are still prototyping unweildy systems at present. The precise dimensions rely on which RepRap modules you use and we have not yet defined the standard machine.

Suggestions

• Weld or braze 25mmx50mm tubular steel into a scaffold.
• Braze or solder large bore metal plumbing fittings.
• Use industrial shelving material such as Dexion.
• Other perforated L-section such as that used to mount garage door openers.
• Mould one from concrete.
• Grab a lot of laboratory clamps and stands.

12V Power Supply

Either buy one big enough to supply enough amps (at least 5A for the simplest designs), or grab PSUs out of old PCs. More than one supply can be used simultaneously in the RepRap designs.

If you have 12V solar/wind-charged batteries, you're laughing.

A computer

Needs to be capable of running Java 1.4 or better. The developers tend to use Linux (typically Ubuntu), but RepRap strives to be multi-platform. Note that the gcc toolchain and bash shell is used, so users of closed source operating systems will also need to install Cygwin or similar.

A serial port

For programming PICs you currently need an integrated RS232 serial port with hardware control over the signal lines - unless you have some other way of conveniently programming PICs. For operating RepRap, we currently use RX/TX and ground only so a USB-based serial port will suffice.

The software

We have sytem software and firmware. Firmware is available as HEX files from the corresponding RepRap module's page. Software is best had from our CVS repository.

-- VikOlliver - 25 Apr 2006
to top