Introducing Akimbo - a redesign of the Mendel.

Thing, (and thingiview) at [www.thingiverse.com]

Sources at [github.com]

Akimbo is a redesign of the RepRap Mendel, designed with increased build area, dual extrusion, easier assembly and increased rigidity in mind.

Things to like about it:
    1) If you opt for a single extruder, it's easier to attain the full 200x200 build area, than on previous designs.
    2) Taller build height - if you limit X travel at the top, the extruder can slip between the top horizontal rods, increasing your build height to 180mm.
    3) Desigend with a second extruder in mind. Adding a second extruder comes with minimal reduction in build area.
    4) Easier assembly - Akimbo uses a hybrid approach to it's linear motion, with a one rail on each axis fully constrained, and the other constrained only against rotation, giving smooth motion to printers which don't have perfect rod alignment.
    4) Increased rigidity - The geometry of the frame is modified to increase triangulation, and all rods are rigidly clamped (no press fit parts).

Things that still need work:
    1) While the mechanical design for dual extrusion is finished, it still needs both electrical and firmware support.
    2) BOM and Assembly instructions need to be created.

On what design is your extruder based? Is the design finalised? Can you provide more details of how the extruder is assembled? How does it drive the filament?

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Using ABSPrusa Mendel Zaphod with Pronterface and slic3r 1.3.0. Printing well with 3mm PLA and ABS through 2 x J Head Mk IV b and Wade Geared Exruders. Controlled using RAMPS1.4 board running Marlin_v1.1.9

The extruder is currently a minor variation of my RCX extruder, which uses a stepper motor with a built-in planetary gearbox, drives the filament using a 12.7mm hobbed wheel, and is well documented on Thingiverse.

I'll soon be modifying the extruder's design to use this stepper instead, as it has a stronger, metal gearbox, is electrically a better match for the drivers and voltages that we use, and is more readily available.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2012 04:54PM by raldrich.