Instead of using a 3d cartesian robot for the printer is there any reason why a 'simple' robot arm couldn't be used. A robot arm could also easily change heads (or carry multiple heads). they would also be useful for CNC machines. Im assuming that there are 2 main reasons they haven't been used: 1: they were expensive and complex back when CNC machines were being developed so noone really thought of using them. 2: Accuracy is low. Accuaracy is something that can be worked on though. A robot arm based printer could also pick and place electronic components with the right tool. Just a thought. I'm still going to build a regular reprap! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,703#msg-703 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:50:43 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,851#msg-851 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,851#msg-851 bartlee45 General Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:06:40 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,834#msg-834 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,834#msg-834 [www.hobbytron.com]
but there must be a bunch of them out there. Extruder heads are light enough that repurposed pick and place robots might do the job; although I think I'd start by trying to RepRap a robot arm.]]> SebastienBailard General Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:12:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,759#msg-759 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,759#msg-759 bartlee45 General Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:22:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,757#msg-757 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,757#msg-757 [www.kuka.com]
have a positioning accuracy of 0.02-0.05 mm. That's not a good as a cnc machining center with a comparable sized workspace, and a positioning accuracy of .0002 mil (0.005 mm) but you could probably improve it by adding rotary or linear encoders and crossbracing, (i.e. making it more look like a RepRap.) I think small parallel robots (aka stewart platforms,delta robots) have much better error than small serial robots, but I can't find any numbers just now.

As Simon says, get Darwin out the door, then experiment.]]> SebastienBailard General Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:54:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,737#msg-737 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,737#msg-737
But, guaranteed, somebody will make one...]]> sai General Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:53:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,729#msg-729 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,729#msg-729 Anonymous User General Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:02:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,722#msg-722 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,722#msg-722
however, we went with a cartesian robot because of the simplicity. once we get the machine out into the wild, you should definitely try and develop the parts in thermoplastic. i'd imagine a easy way to produce robotic arms would be very exciting.]]> ZachHoeken General Sun, 25 Mar 2007 17:22:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,703#msg-703 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,703,703#msg-703 they would also be useful for CNC machines. Im assuming that there are 2 main reasons they haven't been used: 1: they were expensive and complex back when CNC machines were being developed so noone really thought of using them. 2: Accuracy is low.


Accuaracy is something that can be worked on though.
A robot arm based printer could also pick and place electronic components with the right tool.

Just a thought. I'm still going to build a regular reprap!]]> Nathan General Sat, 24 Mar 2007 19:45:43 -0400