Delta design, wanting criticism! Hey reprappers! I'm currently working on my own Delta design and I want feedback from others to get new insights. My Delta is all based on 3 main aspects: Rigid, Nice and Quality. I have a basic frame now, and I'm willing to hear your reactions on it. What do you think is good, can be better, is waaay off or is super smart! Some information on the design: - Corners are all aluminium, so no printed parts here - Effector and carriages are the only printed parts for now, wich will be printed in XT-CF20 on 100% infill. Super rigid! - 12mm magnetic balls are used here, still hesitate about going with 14mm - N52 magnets used - MGN-12 carriages - Dimensions: 40x40x40 (triangle) 700mm height - 220mm diameter printing area, 350mm height - Driven by a DuetWifi board, 0.9° stepper motors, 24V, and an AC powered heated bed. - Delrin used as rod end to rotate around the balls - IR sensor for probing. - E3D Hotend Please feel free to come up with suggestions if you think some of these can be better! Questions: - What extruder to use? Was looking into Bondtech or E3D Titan - What distance between the parallel rods, now it is 46mm, is this important? I hope to get some input! Reprapforum%201_zpsdmgcbpuu.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('59817622cf218460db99379cae1ed2e4', '/forum/thumbcache/3b9/991/c91/d63/ef4/8f4/e48/b52/787/d20/7b_800x400.png', 'http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/Andreas_Desmedt/Reprapforum%201_zpsdmgcbpuu.png', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?178,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft379%2FAndreas_Desmedt%2FReprapforum%25201_zpsdmgcbpuu.png', '', 731338, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); Reprapforum%202_zpskbuklrjc.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('fb46288e4a8cc0bff6fc50d04077f084', '/forum/thumbcache/e0a/244/baf/c4d/ea7/8b7/215/dc5/5d0/270/33_800x400.png', 'http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/Andreas_Desmedt/Reprapforum%202_zpskbuklrjc.png', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?178,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft379%2FAndreas_Desmedt%2FReprapforum%25202_zpskbuklrjc.png', '', 731338, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); Reprapforum%205_zpsyofheu1i.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('f03d5820d199984b89510b21198224e8', '/forum/thumbcache/9aa/562/9a7/0c1/8c2/429/b57/05b/2d3/364/09_800x400.png', 'http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/Andreas_Desmedt/Reprapforum%205_zpsyofheu1i.png', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?178,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft379%2FAndreas_Desmedt%2FReprapforum%25205_zpsyofheu1i.png', '', 731338, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); Reprapforum%204_zps4wd8a8fm.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('b5f8d1897f4d9d387bdd346d487bdd57', '/forum/thumbcache/e6f/4b5/138/119/deb/103/bff/433/9c3/081/27_800x400.png', 'http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t379/Andreas_Desmedt/Reprapforum%204_zps4wd8a8fm.png', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?178,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1056.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft379%2FAndreas_Desmedt%2FReprapforum%25204_zps4wd8a8fm.png', '', 731338, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731338#msg-731338 Fri, 15 May 2026 01:27:15 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,743655#msg-743655 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,743655#msg-743655 Have a look at this discussion, as it describes what you wanted to do for a calibration sensor.
It uses a peizoelectronic sensor to measure the nozzle tapping the print surface.

[forums.reprap.org]

I added a small modification so the Nimble would fit on top. Or you can use the bowden variant.]]> Lykle Delta Machines Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:32:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742514#msg-742514 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742514#msg-742514 hercek Delta Machines Thu, 26 Jan 2017 12:40:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742500#msg-742500 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742500#msg-742500
I normally print around 65mm/s with 1500mm/s^2 accel with no problems. Travels are 350mm/s. I could print faster if i wanted to.]]> MrBaz Delta Machines Thu, 26 Jan 2017 12:12:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742385#msg-742385 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742385#msg-742385 hercek Delta Machines Thu, 26 Jan 2017 07:20:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742211#msg-742211 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,742211#msg-742211
Quote
hercek
Andreas15, if you want good joints then use angle ball joints. They will be much lighter then magnets and they will withstand much bigger forces. Magnetic joints are crap ... especially if you plan to use high speeds and accelerations. If they are small enough to be light then they are weak. When they are strong then they are heavy too.

Also read this: [reprap.org] ... especially the part about TES coefficient.

I have been using mag joints for two years now with no problems. I also now have a titan extruder mounted on the effector for direct drive. No problems.

1/2 in spherical magnets. 12lb holding force each. More than enough. I could probably get dual extrusion going if i wanted to.]]> MrBaz Delta Machines Wed, 25 Jan 2017 17:18:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732978#msg-732978 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732978#msg-732978
Quote
John Anderson
Neodymium magnets replacing the ball joints should reduce friction. Probably not an original thought but it popped in my mind.
That is a good thing, right?]]> Andreas15 Delta Machines Sun, 25 Dec 2016 12:25:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732975#msg-732975 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732975#msg-732975 John Anderson Delta Machines Sun, 25 Dec 2016 11:56:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732866#msg-732866 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732866#msg-732866 Andreas15 Delta Machines Sat, 24 Dec 2016 08:59:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732803#msg-732803 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732803#msg-732803
to everybody: But if you intend to print slowly then both holding force and weight are not a big deal.]]> hercek Delta Machines Sat, 24 Dec 2016 03:28:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732786#msg-732786 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732786#msg-732786 etfrench Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 21:39:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732780#msg-732780 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732780#msg-732780
Andreas15: Their ratio holdingForce/weight is small. If this is not good enough argument for you then just use magnetic joints and be happy with the choice you like most :)]]> hercek Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 20:17:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732758#msg-732758 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732758#msg-732758 Andreas15 Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 17:19:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732734#msg-732734 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732734#msg-732734 etfrench Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 15:16:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732642#msg-732642 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732642#msg-732642
Also read this: [reprap.org] ... especially the part about TES coefficient.]]> hercek Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 08:07:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732604#msg-732604 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732604#msg-732604
I chose 220mm because I do not want a giant printer next to my desk. Were will it end? 500mm and 3m height? If I choose for 220mm printbed I probably have a reason for that, no?

And where do I say that I worry about pull force?]]> Andreas15 Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 05:27:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732589#msg-732589 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732589#msg-732589
Quote
Andreas15


EDIT: For the magnetic balls, I think I'm going to stick with 12mm. It could be too much, but I don't like the look of 10mm on such a large kossel. Remember that beauty is a key on this machine too :)



A 220 mm printing diameter 700 height is not a big printer, ( why not go 300 and 1M this wont really add more cost but if you need more printing area you will have it+ 300 heatbed are easy enough to find around I saw more of those than 220 one).
Lot of us use 10mm with 300+ diameter and 1M+ tower and no they do not look tiny or out of specs.at all, I tell you again if you worry about pull force and that why you need bigger balls, 10 mm and 3/8 magnet have plenty of pull force, no need to go bigger and limit your acceleration with a heavy effector. I bet no one can tell the look between a 12 or 10 balls but your printer can tell the heavier effector, I hope your not going with bigger magnet too.]]> GroupB Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 03:50:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732572#msg-732572 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732572#msg-732572 etfrench Delta Machines Fri, 23 Dec 2016 01:19:45 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732377#msg-732377 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732377#msg-732377
For the belts I want a system that I can easy tension them with a screw. Something like what the Atom 2.0 uses. It has to be clean and rock solid. I have added a picture, it are two pieces that slide over each other and can be regulated by a screw. One screw (that also locks the carriage) locks them down. It is hard to create a good, easy to use mechanism without adding to much compexity. But I personally don't think my system is solid enough right now. I'm always happy to hear your toughts!

EDIT: For the magnetic balls, I think I'm going to stick with 12mm. It could be too much, but I don't like the look of 10mm on such a large kossel. Remember that beauty is a key on this machine too :)]]> Andreas15 Delta Machines Thu, 22 Dec 2016 06:22:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732332#msg-732332 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,732332#msg-732332 This combines the all the good points of a direct drive and a bowden drive, with none (almost) of the disadvantages.
For instance, the Zesty Nimble or the Flex3drive. (PSA I am one of the creators of the Nimble)

They work by splitting the power and the drive function, so the stepper is mounted on the frame and a drive cable transmits the power to the extruder part.
Because there is a gear system inside the extruder unit, there is very little flex or slop, retractions are nice and fast. I use 1 mm retraction for instance.
Your elevated hot end mount can be used perfectly to bolt the extruder to.

How are you planning on keeping the belts tight? Spring mechanism in the top?
I also second the idea of 10mm balls, no need to go bigger at all.]]> Lykle Delta Machines Thu, 22 Dec 2016 03:27:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731960#msg-731960 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731960#msg-731960 clearlynotstefan Delta Machines Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:34:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731882#msg-731882 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731882#msg-731882
Mmmh, the extruder is still a hard one. The bowden tube will be very long if I go with a fixed extruder. But I personally don't like the look of a flying extruder. Also, it looks like it makes your carriages way heavier because of the load. What advantages has it next to better retraction/extrusion?]]> Andreas15 Delta Machines Tue, 20 Dec 2016 07:12:22 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731791#msg-731791 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731791#msg-731791
All you need now is a Z sensor and you're sweet :)


Are you considering a flying extruder?]]> nebbian Delta Machines Mon, 19 Dec 2016 23:03:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731683#msg-731683 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731683#msg-731683


]]> Andreas15 Delta Machines Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:19:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731566#msg-731566 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731566#msg-731566
Quote
Andreas15
Thank you for your valuable input. The reason I placed the hotend higher is so you would see effector tilt less in your prints. But you have a good point.

It looks like you could raise the hotend up a lot further which will reduce effector tilt inaccuracies, and improve airflow at the same time. I think you could just make the tube standoffs longer and you'd kill two birds with one stone.

After chasing effector tilt issues on one of my deltas all last week, I can definitely say that it's worth trying to get that nozzle as close to the effector as possible.

The only issue is trying to get a good layer cooling fan arrangement when the effector is in the way of the duct.]]> nebbian Delta Machines Sun, 18 Dec 2016 21:29:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731467#msg-731467 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731467#msg-731467 Andreas15 Delta Machines Sun, 18 Dec 2016 12:32:10 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731355#msg-731355 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731355#msg-731355
Also make sure your cup allow the ball to go through the cone into the magnet space a little, so you back ( if tight enough)/shim/glue the magnet to have the proper clearance, I find its way better than build a clearance into the cup, its require more time to setup like checking for connection with a multimeter between ball and magnet and then push them a little till the connection is broken but you make sure by doing this you have the very minimum clearance between them and its important to have a proper magnet pull on the balls and its also less complicated for a machinist to do and reduce the reject and price.

On your design you use full length of mgn rail, you dont need to use that long, you will never slide below the carrier home position so m you may same some money there buying shorter rails

About the distance between the ball its a personal choice I went with 60mm but close to 50 still do the job, the more space you allow the better effector stability but its cost you printing space with a bigger effector. it can help minimize the tilt problem I guess. the more space you allow also get your balls closer to the next set of arms and its also good for stability.

In your design the effector is blocking the flow of the cooling fan for the head.. not idea since its look like the effector is thick. This can be OK for a alu effector made out of 3mm plate but your effector im not sure about that its also gonna create blowback and will make the fan work pretty badly. That the reason must delta put it under or on top of effector never in middle.

Your picture are all in black and are hard to see... do you have a proper tensioning system?]]> GroupB Delta Machines Sat, 17 Dec 2016 22:28:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731341#msg-731341 Re: Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731341#msg-731341 clearlynotstefan Delta Machines Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:33:28 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731338#msg-731338 Delta design, wanting criticism! https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,731338,731338#msg-731338
I'm currently working on my own Delta design and I want feedback from others to get new insights. My Delta is all based on 3 main aspects: Rigid, Nice and Quality.

I have a basic frame now, and I'm willing to hear your reactions on it. What do you think is good, can be better, is waaay off or is super smart!

Some information on the design:
- Corners are all aluminium, so no printed parts here
- Effector and carriages are the only printed parts for now, wich will be printed in XT-CF20 on 100% infill. Super rigid!
- 12mm magnetic balls are used here, still hesitate about going with 14mm
- N52 magnets used
- MGN-12 carriages
- Dimensions: 40x40x40 (triangle) 700mm height
- 220mm diameter printing area, 350mm height
- Driven by a DuetWifi board, 0.9° stepper motors, 24V, and an AC powered heated bed.
- Delrin used as rod end to rotate around the balls
- IR sensor for probing.
- E3D Hotend

Please feel free to come up with suggestions if you think some of these can be better!

Questions:
- What extruder to use? Was looking into Bondtech or E3D Titan
- What distance between the parallel rods, now it is 46mm, is this important?

I hope to get some input!





]]> Andreas15 Delta Machines Sat, 17 Dec 2016 19:08:36 -0500