Design nearly done - construction started... OK so it's one week this evening since I started making parts for my printer... I am doing this the old fashioned way, because for one thing I don't have access to a printer to make parts, and secondly, because I like to make things that are like combinations of other things. Typically this works quite well, as long as I have done my homework. So here's my project. This printer will be a large format; I started wanting 300 x 600 x300 but because I decided to opt for a bowden setup, and my frame is cut out already, it will end up more like 375 x 600 x 300. The frame is being made up of mild steel, mostly 1/8" thick tube, but the Z supports are of 1/4" plate. All this to be welded into one single solid piece. What remains on the frame is to finalize the location of wire runs and nail down the exact location of my rods. The welding will be done to a rather tight specification, with multiple QA checks all the way thru to assure perfect squareness. All components are sanded to fit to a long gauge within a few thousandths. However, there has to be allowance for metal doing what it does, and so I have designed 3 dimensional adjustment collars for my Y and Z rods, as well as my Z screws. These collars (28 pieces) are hand made on a lathe. You can see these in various stages in the picture. The geometry is as follows... The build plate which will be framed with lightened aluminum is the Z axis. The X axis runs front to back, and the Y axis runs lengthwise. I am building this machine to make (hopefully) large detailed models. I personally like anything Manned space flight but anything that will fit in this envelope. The printer will be fully enclosed, and will have a heater that will maintain just a high room temperature for curing ABS. I have one of those cube heaters that I will control electronnically (as opposed to Bimetal) to attempt to create a proper curing atmosphere for large, detailed ABS models I plan to make. For electronics, I have an Arduino /Ramps 1.4 setup with the LCD controller, I am using #23 motors (200 step) on the Z drive and #17 motors (400 step) on the X, Y and extruders. I am using a direct drive system A pair of bowden tubes (2mm ID) will feed 1.75 mil filiment thru 2 Jhead Mark V-b hotends. At some point I want to add more colors. But I'll hold off on that till I get my test cube to work...8-) There are 2 30 amp PSUs. All electronics draw outside air for cooling. I do not have a definitive count on the number of fans in this thing, there is 1 on each motor, one on the hotends, one on the fresh work, 2 per PSU, and 2 (3?) at the electronics, as well as one or two others for air handling, to keep even temps for curing. Instead of using drive belts as belts, I will epoxy them to solid channels and use them to make a rack and pinnion drive for the X, Y axis. In this way, I hope to eliminate slop, stretch, and the inherent backlash from the belts. My theory for this printer is simple; put all the weight and rigidity into the frame and stationary parts, and keep the moving bits as light and uncluttered as possible. Once I get this thing together, I plan on experimenting with all the various slicers and firmware to see what gives me the results I want. Sorry if this went long, but I want to share what I am doing with the community. I will continue to update every few days or so, as things progress. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,199316#msg-199316 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 18:06:25 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,467562#msg-467562 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,467562#msg-467562 Damion Reprappers Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:34:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,378953#msg-378953 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,378953#msg-378953 cnc dick Reprappers Sun, 06 Jul 2014 08:36:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,376207#msg-376207 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,376207#msg-376207
Quote
nhathaitrieu6
Maxx you are not that transparent it's just that there's only a few ways to achieve what you want to do. And me being a mechanical type like you obviously I think of the problem and then tried to solve it. If two people think the same way attacking a problem usually come out close to the the same solution
Max I don't know who this guy is but a looks like he just copied and pasted one of my replies I made to you just seems a little weird]]> cnc dick Reprappers Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:29:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,375824#msg-375824 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,375824#msg-375824 cnc dick Reprappers Sun, 29 Jun 2014 08:13:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,361318#msg-361318 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,361318#msg-361318 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Tue, 27 May 2014 19:39:30 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,360327#msg-360327 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,360327#msg-360327 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Sun, 25 May 2014 16:32:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,356242#msg-356242 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,356242#msg-356242 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Fri, 16 May 2014 20:02:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,355773#msg-355773 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,355773#msg-355773 cnc dick Reprappers Thu, 15 May 2014 19:19:40 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,337620#msg-337620 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,337620#msg-337620
MEI specializes in short runs and one offs, so to anybody who is looking to do an odd or large size, and one of the 3D vendors does not have what you need, this might be a good option. (just google them) I got mine in just over a month, and it appears to be well made. The glasses are there for scale.:P]]> Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 09 Apr 2014 17:51:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,336087#msg-336087 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,336087#msg-336087 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Sun, 06 Apr 2014 18:19:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,335530#msg-335530 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,335530#msg-335530
Things are going to start coming together now, I do have a couple of critical parts still on order, but construction is nearing the home stretch.]]> Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Sat, 05 Apr 2014 12:03:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330868#msg-330868 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330868#msg-330868 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:36:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330823#msg-330823 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330823#msg-330823
Spark ignition engines can experience moments of reverse rotation when shut off or when a start sequence fails to get engine running...if you've ever experienced kick back when trying to kick-start a large bore single cylinder 4 stroke motorcycle you KNOW this is true.
I did not invent this design, simply attempting to adapt it over to repraps from a proven implementation.

Maybe there is something else I am overlooking....I will find out as soon as I mount and test my tensioners.]]> Creo Reprappers Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:24:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330611#msg-330611 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330611#msg-330611 cnc dick Reprappers Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:33:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330600#msg-330600 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330600#msg-330600 Like many belts used by reprappers, a cam chain depends on teeth engagement, not high tension to create enough friction forces(like a v-belt), to keep from slipping. Of course, a cam chain does operate at high tension but that is due too high forces generated in the valve train, since moving a "print head" around generates much smaller forces this should be easily adaptable to a tensioning system for repraps.
Use a torsion spring to turn a screw with a very low pitch...end of screw(linear motion) pushes against tensioner. With proper "ramp" on your screw, the torsion spring will turn it to tension belt but any force pushing against the tensioner will NOT cause the screw to turn and back out. If system generates slack, the torsion spring turns screw a little more and removes slack. An automatic anti-backlash belt tensioner! :)
I've already started assembling my build for testing and the tensioning assembly is the last component in my belt path I have to complete. Hope to post pictures of my build soon, will provide link here when I do if anyone is interested.]]> Creo Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 22:59:32 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330570#msg-330570 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330570#msg-330570 cnc dick Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 19:27:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330554#msg-330554 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330554#msg-330554 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:23:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330525#msg-330525 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330525#msg-330525 cnc dick Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:20:49 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330502#msg-330502 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330502#msg-330502 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:22:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330494#msg-330494 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330494#msg-330494 cnc dick Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:04:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330493#msg-330493 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330493#msg-330493 Consider reviewing the mfg tolerance of the belt pitch/thickness, and run a test indicator over the belt to verify, maybe you can open up the tolerance a little.

Tks for sharing, looking forward to learning how it works out.]]> A2 Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 15:59:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330478#msg-330478 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330478#msg-330478 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 15:30:07 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330456#msg-330456 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330456#msg-330456
If it's long use a boring mill, I used to operate one, you could easily put a car on the table.
If it's case harden it's going to warp a lot, and if it's through harden it's still going to warp but not as much.
After machining it will most likely will need to be pressed straight.
EDM machining would be interesting to use, you wouldn't have to worry about moving the clamps as the cutter passed by, but $$$.]]> A2 Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 14:33:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330448#msg-330448 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,330448#msg-330448 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 26 Mar 2014 14:12:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,329124#msg-329124 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,329124#msg-329124 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Sun, 23 Mar 2014 19:53:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,323764#msg-323764 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,323764#msg-323764
I hope to have a few pics in the next few days.]]> Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 12 Mar 2014 13:38:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,323582#msg-323582 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,323582#msg-323582 cnc dick Reprappers Wed, 12 Mar 2014 06:48:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,319834#msg-319834 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,319834#msg-319834


This just in!::o

What you evidently want is the new slic3r RC3. This has support for multiple extruders. I found it just now while trying to find something I saw several months ago...I will be tying this into repetier, and I think this will complete the tool chain. If I get a chance later this week, I'll get some files and see how it works.]]> Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:15:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,319777#msg-319777 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,319777#msg-319777 cnc dick Reprappers Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:44:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,319766#msg-319766 Re: Design nearly done - construction started... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,199316,319766#msg-319766 The slicer can only print models in a single color. It can however print numerous models in the same space, each their own single color. And all at the same time It neither knows nor cares that it is doing this. So each color is actually a separate model, and they are printed at basically the same origin point. Well not exactly, they are in fact offset in origin, but if you properly overlap them in all 3 dimensions, and don't actually have mass sharing the same space, it can print a perfect multi color object, if all goes well. So in a sense, you are printing a bunch of models inside each other, with each color being a model. The trick is to open your first model and import the rest, and then the slicer knows what to do with them. So the print head is very busy changing colors all through the single layer, and layers are still built up the same way as they would be in one color - front to back, left to right, at a single height.]]> Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:30:21 -0500