Thanks nophead and demented. It looks like I'll have to build another heater barrel because the thermistor is sealed in the fire cement. I'm glad I bought extra parts and I've been through it once already so I know where thee tricky parts are. It sounds like I'll be good to go with the ABS and HDPE using the PIC electronics once I get the new heater built with the 100K thermistor. Is this assumptby spcmicro - Controllers
For my thermistor I used a 1ufd electrolytic for C3. The assembly instructions had 2 references to using a 1ufd value, once in the bill of materials and once in a note that stated that the value of C2 was nominally 1ufd. This morning I found another reference on the next page of the extruder board instructions that states that the best value for C2 is .1ufd when using the standard thermistor. I sby spcmicro - Controllers
I am currently finishing up my first extrude head. I am using the Bits from Bytes extruder mechanical assembly with a version 1.2.1 Universal PIC controller board built as an extruder board using a 10K thermistor. The firmware is version 1.1. Version 1.0 gave temperature readings that were bouncing all over the place and 1.2 won't communicate at all. Not a problem though since the 1.1 version seeby spcmicro - Controllers
Check out one of my entries in the builders blog. I took a couple of pieces of 8mm stock and used them as temporary spacers when tightening the corners. It worked well for me.by spcmicro - Mechanics
Here's a list of parts that cracked when I was assembling. The first number is the quantity that broke, second number is the item number from the relative print. 1 - #41 - Z-corner bracket 2 - #43 - X axis slide adjuster 1 - #17 - setting bar 1 - #11 - extruder motor mount 7 - #71 - diagonal tie plate 1 - #89 - Z belt tensioner plate Hope this helps...by spcmicro - Mechanics
In the early 80's I used to work for Zymark Corporation, a manufacturer of laboratory robots, and we used a lot of Delrin. The machinists loved it.by spcmicro - Mechanics
I made a modification to the Z tensioner that solved problems that I was having. See my entry on the builder's blog on September 7th for the details. In preliminary testing the results are good. I haven't beat on it yet because I'm replacing the acrylic parts that hold the diagonal rods in place. I have a list of the parts that have cracked or broken that I will post soon. I think it's importantby spcmicro - Mechanics
This message is a request to davidgoodenough about the Z tensioner post a few messages ago: Is the vertical support attached to one of the bottom horizontal base rods? I was thinking about something like this when I was having problems and I though that placing the tensioner in the middle as opposed to being close to one of the Z pulleys would also work better. Is that where you put yours? I wby spcmicro - Mechanics
I like the idea of adding the washers to the Z belt tensioner to help align the belt. I was fighting with the tensioner this weekend and at this point I'm not winning. I have broken at least 8 of the diagonal tie plates, Item #71 on the Darwin Bot assembly drawings. I am going to make 2 out of aluminum for the diagonal rod that holds the Z belt tensioner. This should help keep the tensioner in plby spcmicro - Mechanics
I have not seen the latest messages in this forum so I apologize for the delayed response. I must not have checked the replies box when I submitted the original post. I am checking it now. Thank you to all of the people who have posted the problems they have encountered. It really helps when trying to sort out problems. Build progress update: I've been making good progress on my build. I haveby spcmicro - Mechanics
I received my Laser Cut parts and started assembly yesterday. The excitement is mounting! I was wondering if anyone has the dimensions, or a manufacturer and part number, of the slide bearings used in step 2 of the X assembly as provided by Bits from Bytes? I have found a part at the McMaster site but the OD of the part is 12mm and the holes are 10mm. Thanks in advance for any help, Steve...by spcmicro - Mechanics
I have exported the file in 3ds format so give it a try in Art of Illusion and let me know how it works for you. Here's the link:by spcmicro - General
OK, I gave the mediafire option a try. Here's the link Let me know if it works.by spcmicro - General
By the way, the file is in Max 2008 format...by spcmicro - General
I have a 3DS Max file for the Darwin mechanical assembly. The bad news is that I can't upload it as an attachment because of the 613.8K file limit. The file is around 2M zipped. I will send it to Adrian and Zach to see how they want to handle it. It probably should go on to the source forge area. There might be a few minor issues but most of the parts are here. I wanted to spend more time checkiby spcmicro - General
I had forgotten about that feature. I haven't used it yet though. Thanks for the reminder about it's existance Zach. The virtual part script was a 3ds project I thought would be challenging. I'll be doing the assembly animations first.by spcmicro - General
I'm glad you guys are interested in this. I will try to get the model completed by the end of the weekend and I'll post it when I'm done. If people are interested in helping, maybe we could divide up the assembly videos amongst us and get them out to the builders sooner than it would take if I worked on them solo. I welcome any suggestions on how we could best accomplish this and I would be happyby spcmicro - General
Hi Joe, Here is where I downloaded the STL files on source forge: Here is the zip file that contains the STL parts files: reprap-cartesian-bot-1.0.5.zip I have been assembling a virtual RepStrap in 3ds by importing the STL files and following the assembly instructions for the Darwin. I accepted the defaults when importing the STL files into 3ds and all seems well. I should be able to asseby spcmicro - General
I was extremely excited to see the new parts kits now available! Nice job. My question is regarding the ordering of the kits from the states. Will these kits be available via the US RRF store? I'm assuming that the shipping would be much cheaper than purchasing them from the UK store. If the answer to this question is yes, then my next question is when will I be able to place an order with the RRby spcmicro - Mechanics
I was wondering if there is a single page full scale pdf of the bed template. I have access to a nice HP plotter that should be able to print out a 1:1 template and would rather do that then tape pages together.by spcmicro - Mechanics
I finally resolved the issue with programming my PICS and I want to share it with others because it's something that might be encountered when trying to burn PIC processors. I had this problem where I burned a part, the code looked correct, but the boards would do nothing. I am using a Willem USB programmer, $90.00 USD, which had support for the 16F628A parts. I posted a message earlier on the Rby spcmicro - RepRap Host
Has anyone out there used a Willem USB programmer to program the PIC 16F628A-IP parts? I can erase the part and program the part successfully using the stepmotor.hex file, or so the software says, but when I run the debug led test in the UCB testing procedure I get no LED activity. I've put a scope on the trace going to the LED and there is no activity. I've tried both the hex file from source foby spcmicro - RepRap Host