MendelMax

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MendelMax

Release status: working

MendelMaxPlaceholder.jpg
Description
A true reprap; printed brackets, with the rigidity of aluminium extrusions.
License
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Based-on
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CAD Models
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This article is about the MendelMax 1.x, see MendelMax 2 for its successor.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the current home for community generated documentation (Please Contribute!). The official MendelMax documentation is maintained at MendelMax.com. Please refer to that site as well.

Overview

MendelMax (MM) is an Open Source RepRap 3D printer designed by Maxbots in December 2011. It is a true reprap, using printed brackets, but instead of using threaded rod for the structural elements it uses inexpensive aluminum extrusions. This gives a huge increase in rigidity for a minimal extra cost (Self sourcing will cost about $80 more than a standard Prusa when purchased from the recommended suppliers). The required extrusions are available world wide from a variety of suppliers.

A prototype of the MendelMax RepRap 3d Printer

MendelMax is based on the Prusa Mendel, and keeps its best parts. The Prusa Mendel kept the frame of the Sells Mendel, but fixed the problems in the X,Y and Z axes. MendelMax 1.0 builds on that by largely keeping the current XYZ axes, but completely redesigning the frame.

In addition to the increased rigidity, the printer is much easier to assemble than a standard Prusa. Even an inexperienced builder should have no trouble building the whole frame in an evening, two at most. And along with the easy assembly comes easy hackability. Almost any part on the bot can be removed with just a few screws, so swapping out literally any part on the bot is now a trivial operation.

The X axis is taken stock from the Prusa Mendel, in fact we don't even specify a specific X axis design, there are several good ones available, including the various vertically-oriented X axis designs that many people are exploring lately. As long as it sticks to the defined standard spacing between the Z rod and the Z leadscrew, it will work fine with MendelMax. We also use the standard Prusa Y design (For version 1.0), though we simplify it just a bit by making it easier to get everything aligned right. Z adds optional thrust bearings to support the weight of the axis (greatly reducing the problems with printed couplers), but this is a purely optional upgrade, and you can easily use the old design if you prefer.

Because MendelMax is primarily defining a new frame design, it is linear-bearing agnostic. I have used both LM8UU's and PTFE bushings and both work just fine. Brass or even printed bushings could be used, though I recommend avoiding the latter for highest reliability.

The current revision as of July 17 2012 shipping as kits from the official MM store is considered the MM 1.5+. It uses a linear slide for a Y axis rather than polished rods to give the heaviest axis a smoother motion and seems to have cleaned things up greatly. Also different from earlier models the steppers controlling the Z axis have been moved from the top of the printer to the base.

Versions

Version number Source links Bill of Materials Assembly instructions Comments
1.0 Main frame BoM TechPaladin's guide (Archived) Top mounted Z-motors. Rod based Y-table
1.5 Main frame
Lasercut Y-table
BoM Instructions by Theo Deyle
(Note: The Y table described is for 1.5+)
Bottom mounted Z-motors. Rod based Y-table with laser-cut parts
1.5+ Same as 1.5. Similar to 1.5, except for Y parts.
Kit packing list
Instructions by Theo Deyle Bottom mounted Z-motors. Rail & car based Y-table
2.0 See the MendelMax 2 article for information about that version.

Specifications

These specifications are for the MendelMax 1.5+:

  • Printed Parts: very few (around 25 different parts)
  • Non-Printed Parts: ???
  • Printing Size: build area of about 9"x10"x7" or 23cm x 25cm x 17.5cm
  • Material Cost: ???
  • Cost: US$ 1,300 (complete kit)
  • Precision: ??? (position), ??? (printing)
  • Speed: ??? (position), ??? (printing)

Links

  • [1] MendelMax 1.5 STL Files
  • [2] Maker's Tool Works MendelMax 1.5+ Build Instructions
  • [3] Lots of pictures, including the assembled printer and several finished prints
  • [4] 3D-PDF (View with Adobe Acrobat, most 3rd party viewers do not support 3d PDFs. Click on the image to view in full 3D, pan, zoom, rotate, etc.)
  • [5] Packing list for a MendelMax 1.5 kit
  • [6] MendelMax 1.5 with SCV8UU Y-Carriage
  • [7] RepRapWorld - Mendelmax 1.5 Complete Kit starting at 549.99€ and parts
  • [8] Blomker Industries - MendelMax 1.5 Complete Kit at $699
  • [9] Ultibots - MendelMax 1.5+ Complete Kit starting at $1199
  • [10] ReprapUniverse (NL) - MendelMax 1.5 : Printed Parts €79 - Frame Kit €299 - Complete Kit €699
  • 220v.biz Parts for MendelMax and other 3d printers in Ukraine
  • [11] MendelMax 3D view and complete files (Spanish)
  • [12] 3DMarkt.at in Austria, MendelMax 1.5 Printer Kit 659,99 EUR

Community

  • For more information, visit our FreeNode IRC channel at #MendelMax (or ask in #reprap). Please be patient, this is presently a low-volume channel so it may take a while to get responses but someone will help you as soon as possible.
  • Please join our Google Group.

Files and Documentation

For 1.x:

  • STL Files can be downloaded from thingiverse. RAScomRAS
  • FreeCAD SCAD source files are available at the MendelMax GitHub repository.
  • A full Bill of Materials (BOM) is available on Google Docs, although this is the BOM for Version 1. Vendors are typically selling parts for MM 1.5, so you will need to make some substitutions.
  • Assembly instructions and lots more information are available on the MendelMax homepage.
  • User submitted calibration information and tips at the Mendel Max Calibration page

For 2.0: