Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. Hello, I am new here and want to build my first 3D printer for making 1:1 scale prototypes for work and to just have fun. I have been reading around for months and dreaming of having my own 3d printer . My criteria is: 1. Not cost the earth, 2. Can print 400mm x 400mm x 450mm objects, 3. Has a small footprint, space is at a premium including when running, 4. Is fast, I loved richrap's prusa hotend video [www.youtube.com] 5. Prints nicely though i can survive sanding and trimming stray strands, 6. Prints PLA, Nylon and Polycarbonate, 7. runs quietly. I was initially thinking of making a large rostock a makerbot replicater but with the extruder away from the hotend as the extruder in the replicator makes it have to have a much larger frame. What model should i base my printer on and what problems will i encounter? What are those models strengths and weaknesses? Is it all right to make the frame and or rods out of cast iron? I heard that a flexing frame reduces print quality and cast iron dousnt flex though I would be unhappy if it shattered. Should I use spectra wire or rubber belts? I heard the elastic nature of the material makes the print head overshoot when it moves fast. Anyone tried using toothed bars or bicycle chains and sprockets in place of the belts? Do I really need chromed steel rods which have an insane price tag? In fact what is worth the money on quality parts and what isnt? What parts of a 3d printer is noisy and how can I dampen it? I'm thinking of putting an enclosure around the printer to keep dust out. What air flow is required? exhaust fan at top, middle or bottem? I look forward to your answers stonefisher https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,218910#msg-218910 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:59:06 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,221148#msg-221148 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,221148#msg-221148

Paul :)-D]]> Paul2d3d Reprappers Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:34:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,221066#msg-221066 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,221066#msg-221066 reprap.org] is a spreadsheet that will tell you what lengths of extrusion gives you what print area and what length you need to make the arms. Also you will want to install the auto leveler that Johann has made.[www.youtube.com]

I am thinking of making a kossel 1m wide and 2m high when I get the money. Just have to beef up the joints as I will be using 30x30mm aluminium extrusions for the frame.]]> stonefisher Reprappers Mon, 24 Jun 2013 05:22:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,220957#msg-220957 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,220957#msg-220957

I am thinking of using 300mm or 350mm arm leghts, but now do I related this to the required bed/machine size. Can any help :(


thanks :)-D


Paul]]> Paul2d3d Reprappers Sun, 23 Jun 2013 17:53:08 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219777#msg-219777 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219777#msg-219777 cnc dick Reprappers Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:21:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219741#msg-219741 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219741#msg-219741
@maxx mayhem This is another reason why I am interested in the rostock design. You cant get surdir than a triangle. I was thinking of using 20x40mm or 40x40mm extruded aluminium frame. They cost about the same and I have found a reasonably priced supplier in the UK. I was thinking of doing it similer to the rostock max design except all aluminum frame as this cuts down on the price om those insanely expensive rods and it definately keeps the weight off the print head carriage.

@cnc dick. That is one nice big 3d printer. I see it is partly using 20x60mm aluminium frame in its construction and comparing the print bed to your chair roughly a 40x40x30mm print area? Whats with the electronics? you managed to make it fill two bix boxes.

As with thermals as I understand it you need a fan on the extruder depending on model of print head. I was thinking of getting the hot end from e3d which needs a fan al the time. You need a fan on the pinted object for certain plastics like pla and not abs and you need a fan on the stepper drivers to ensure they dont skip steps.

What I would like to know is how to install a duct fan on a rostock printer and does the print head frame have to have a balenced centre of gravity?

Has anyone tried putting a rotary tool on a 3d printer and use it as an engraving tool? That would be usefull to me as well.]]> stonefisher Reprappers Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:45:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219723#msg-219723 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219723#msg-219723 sheck626 Reprappers Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:40:30 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219706#msg-219706 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219706#msg-219706
]]> cnc dick Reprappers Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:25:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219206#msg-219206 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219206#msg-219206 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:05:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219059#msg-219059 Re: Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,219059#msg-219059 Checkout the Rapidbot Mega - only one I know with huge build area - like 29"x10" - about $1250
I personally am currently waiting for the Morgan SCARA bot to be completed - nice build area and easily expandable.
For the footprint, basically count on 3-6" bigger than the build area size. For the 8x8", typically 12-14" square.
A friend has made a Rostock, but continues to have bed leveling issues.
The idea with the chromed steel rods is smoothness.
X-motion bed belt is often loudest - it moves the most frequently
Enclosure is good for heat management. ABS has heat requirements and Fans are wonderful on the extruder and the electronics. Heat management can become an issue.]]> PurteeSteve Reprappers Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:18:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,218910#msg-218910 Advice needed: Large printer, whats worth the price? and other things. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,218910,218910#msg-218910 I am new here and want to build my first 3D printer for making 1:1 scale prototypes for work and to just have fun. I have been reading around for months and dreaming of having my own 3d printer .

My criteria is:
1. Not cost the earth,
2. Can print 400mm x 400mm x 450mm objects,
3. Has a small footprint, space is at a premium including when running,
4. Is fast, I loved richrap's prusa hotend video [www.youtube.com]
5. Prints nicely though i can survive sanding and trimming stray strands,
6. Prints PLA, Nylon and Polycarbonate,
7. runs quietly.


I was initially thinking of making a large rostock a makerbot replicater but with the extruder away from the hotend as the extruder in the replicator makes it have to have a much larger frame.

What model should i base my printer on and what problems will i encounter?
What are those models strengths and weaknesses?

Is it all right to make the frame and or rods out of cast iron? I heard that a flexing frame reduces print quality and cast iron dousnt flex though I would be unhappy if it shattered.
Should I use spectra wire or rubber belts? I heard the elastic nature of the material makes the print head overshoot when it moves fast.
Anyone tried using toothed bars or bicycle chains and sprockets in place of the belts?

Do I really need chromed steel rods which have an insane price tag?
In fact what is worth the money on quality parts and what isnt?

What parts of a 3d printer is noisy and how can I dampen it?
I'm thinking of putting an enclosure around the printer to keep dust out. What air flow is required? exhaust fan at top, middle or bottem?

I look forward to your answers

stonefisher]]> stonefisher Reprappers Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:05:32 -0400