I just wanted to announce here that I've put up my redesign of the Mendel on the wiki. I've named it the Prism. It has the same mechanics as a Sells Mendel, but with all new printed parts and 20x20 extrusion. [reprap.org] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111000#msg-111000 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:01:56 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111657#msg-111657 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111657#msg-111657 stand on top of my prism, even if it can take it! :-)

I'm not printing very fast, but that's because I'm behind the curve with my extruder and x axis. The frame can take much faster speeds than I can print, and i've been printing parts to upgrade. I have noticed better print quality with the prism over the mendel at the same speed, though.

I've never had a prusa, so I can't comment on the stability aspect. it does make sense to me that you don't want a lot of mass far away from a "vibration absorber" like a desk.

The z leadscrew would allow you some extra z travel, but would break compatibility with every x axis. Also, my biggest goal was to move as much as possible inside the frame. It would be easy to reconfigure the parts i've designed in order to do what you suggest, but you'll need to design new x end pieces. you will also either want to move the z motor mount to the outside, or get a shorter Nema 17 so that the y carriage and bed won't hit it, as it currently would. again, that's be easy enough to do, but it wasn't a goal of this iteration.]]> Buback Extruded Aluminum Frames Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:10:28 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111594#msg-111594 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111594#msg-111594 what sort of stable print speeds are you getting? also, a notable difference is yr z-axis motors being mounted on the bottom - have you found that keeping the z-steppers low on the frame helps w/ stability? finally, is there a reason the threaded z-axis rods are on the inside of the frame vs. the outside? (the outside position could give a cm or two on the x-axis...maybe?)

good design - thanks.]]> discocyborg Extruded Aluminum Frames Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:08:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111000#msg-111000 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,111000,111000#msg-111000 It has the same mechanics as a Sells Mendel, but with all new printed parts and 20x20 extrusion.

[reprap.org]]]> Buback Extruded Aluminum Frames Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:22:49 -0500