The whole idea of an open source 3D printer is very exciting to me and I have decided to build one. It seems that some of the more commercial offerings like the Ultimaker have solved some inherent 'problems' with the base design to improve overall machine quality at the expense of additional cost. I am not saying that the commercial offerings have a better print quality or speed overall, more that they require less fiddling to get the prints looking good and printing fast. I co-own a CNC machine shop and am wondering what the current users that own reprap/straps see as shortcomings that could be improved upon if there weren't limits per se as far as materials or design was concerned. I have no problem cutting hardened steels or anything of that matter and we have experience with advanced composites. What can I do to help make a 'super reprap' and help the community along towards that goal? Obviously going from threaded rods and nuts to a machined steel frame would add to the cost, but it might not be nearly as much as you might think especially if we had any sort of volume. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104888#msg-104888 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:17:14 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104891#msg-104891 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104891#msg-104891 vulcanrd General Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:33:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104890#msg-104890 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104890#msg-104890
That said, more inexpensive and high quality printers can only be a good thing, even if they aren't true RepRaps.]]> NewPerfection General Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:21:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104888#msg-104888 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,104888,104888#msg-104888
Obviously going from threaded rods and nuts to a machined steel frame would add to the cost, but it might not be nearly as much as you might think especially if we had any sort of volume.]]> vulcanrd General Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:08:27 -0400