so guys, i just looked this topic:


[forums.reprap.org]


and then i think... if you take this rotary table for Y axis purpose,

and this parallel arm scara arms for X-Z axis

[forums.reprap.org]

then we have fully printable 3d printer without any linear rail, just bearings. Only problem is to solve extruder angle to rotary table, because its not always 90 degree to board...

i don know if any mechanical solutions is possible....


what do you think?

You don't need a Rotary table and a SCARA arm to get full 3D motion. The SCARA arm doesn't need an elbow.

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Helium Frog Website

I had the same idea. There would be a rotating bed, the printer head would move in one direction and would be synced with the bed so that it would cover the entire platform. Think sin wave and liner x. There would be a need for a z stepper, and the printer head would need a stepper but if the rotation y and back and forth x where on the same drive it could be run by a dc motor. An optical speed sensor could be put on the dc motor to keep track of the position based off speed.

The only problem I see with this is the faster it go the prints would get messed up, because the rotational force put on the molten plastic. But as long as it wasn't to fast I think it could work.