https://reprap.org/mediawiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=FDMFAN&feedformat=atomRepRap - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T21:18:39ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://reprap.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Frame_material&diff=188056Frame material2020-06-15T13:54:01Z<p>FDMFAN: Removed user link that references two dead URLs</p>
<hr />
<div>People have built RepRap-based ... things ... out of a surprisingly wide variety of materials.<br />
<br />
Most of the mass of the RepRap is the outer frame.<br />
<br />
There seem to be 4 main approaches to making the frame:<br />
* build-up: Build the frame out of parts built-up to exactly the right shape and size.<br />
* modular: Build the frame out of some modular construction material, to make it easy to make a little bigger (so you can make bigger parts) or a little smaller (to improve rigidity and hopefully precision) or to otherwise experiment with different configurations. Also, once such a RepRap has been built and printed out the second generation, it can be disassembled and the parts used for other things.<br />
* cut: Build the frame out of some continuous material that is cut to length, and perhaps a few holes drilled in it, but not otherwise shaped.<br />
* shaped: Build the frame out of parts shaped to exactly the right shape and size.<br />
<br />
The [[Mendel frame]] seems to be a pretty good compromise, combining a few "cut" parts -- the studding (threaded rod) -- and a bunch of parts built-up from thermoplastic filament using a previous generation RepRap.<br />
<br />
The ideal material for a n+1 generation RepRap has these characteristics:<br />
* raw material extremely low cost<br />
* quick to convert raw material to parts (to reduce [[generation time]]) with nth generation RepRap<br />
* adequate strength-to-weight ratio so that it can hold itself up and move the tool head to a precise positions<br />
* ...<br />
* ''please fill in other characteristics I'm missing ...''<br />
<br />
The ideal material for a 0th generation [[RepStraps]] has these characteristics:<br />
* raw material easily available<br />
* easy for a human to shape ("easy to work") with easily available tools<br />
* adequate strength-to-weight ratio so that it can hold itself up and move the tool head in a precise positions<br />
* ...<br />
* ''please fill in other characteristics I'm missing ...''<br />
<br />
== build-up construction materials ==<br />
<br />
The most astonishing thing about RepRap is that it is designed out of parts that, with few exceptions, can be built-up on a RepRep.<br />
<br />
* thermoplastic [[filament]]: [[PLA]], [[ABS]], [[HDPE]], [[LDPE]], [[PP]], [[uPVC]], "Laywood Filament"(mentioned by [[RUG/Pennsylvania/State_College/RepRap_Media_Timeline|PA State RUG]]) -- see [[Printing Material Suppliers]]<br />
* thermoplastic granules: ... Is [[polycaprolactone]] (aka [http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKSHL1 "ShapeLock"]) stuff strong enough to build a RepStrap?<br />
** Apparently it is -- see [[Molding Mendel Parts]]<br />
* molten metal: [[Automated Circuitry Making#Fields Metal Deposition | Fields metal]]<br />
* Metal powder deposition, Electron beam sintered -- [[MetalicaRap]]<br />
* cement, modeling clay, pourable epoxy (''[[Epoxy granite]] etc'')-- [[PourStrap]] & [[GolemB]]<br />
<br />
== modular construction materials ==<br />
<br />
=== grid beam ===<br />
[[Image:Eiffel_Concept.jpg|thumb|right|Early version of Eiffel, showing the grid beam TriLap joints. (The beams should have through-holes repeating along the side.)]] <br />
grid beam: 2"x2" square beams with a line of holes: typically used for furniture and street signs.<br />
"pre-drilled square beams".<br />
A typical piece of furniture built out of grid beam uses lots of [[TriLap]] joints.<br />
<br />
Wooden grid beams seem easier to cut to length.<br />
Metal grid beams seem stronger and more rigid.<br />
<br />
Does it make any sense to use a mixture of both wooden and metal grid beams bolted together?<br />
<br />
* [[Eiffel]] is built out of grid beam.<br />
* [http://builders.reprap.org/2009/08/wrench-built-machine-update.html Wrench-built machine] appears to be built out of grid beam. A RepStrap built mostly out of 1" square perforated tube. ''(Is this a [[Eiffel]] or something else?)''<br />
* [[RBS]] and [[Eiffel]] suggests that a kind of RepRap could make grid beam out of lumber.<br />
* [[RBS/Beam]]<br />
* [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/LifeTrac_Questions#square_tube_construction_techniques square tube construction techniques]; [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/gridbeam Grid Beam]<br />
* The square metal tubes with round holes in the side pictured in [http://blog.reprap.org/2009/02/pull-yourself-together-bot.html "Pull Yourself Together, Bot!"] look a *lot* like grid beam -- would "real" grid beam work just as well?<br />
* http://www.gridbeam.com/<br />
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/<br />
* http://gridbeam.biz/<br />
* http://www.alliedtube.com/sign-support/traffic-sign-posts/telespar-square.asp<br />
* http://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-structural-tubing/=49tu63<br />
<br />
==== Bitbeam ====<br />
<br />
Bitbeam is a miniaturized grid-beam system compatible with Lego Technic, using 8mm x 8mm square beams.<br />
[http://www.makerbot.com/blog/tag/bitbeam]<br />
[http://bitbeam.org/]<br />
[http://bitbeam.org/about/]<br />
<br />
* Bitbeam -- [[BrickRap]], Bitbeambot[http://bitbeam.org/2012/08/25/bitbeambot-the-complete-kit/], etc.<br />
<br />
=== extruded aluminum ===<br />
* MakerBeam; 80/20 T-slot extrusion; etc. -- [[T-Rep]], [[SamBot]], etc.<br />
see [[Extruded Aluminum]] for similar aluminum materials.<br />
<br />
=== OpenStructures ===<br />
<br />
"The OS (OpenStructures) project explores the possibility of a modular construction model where everyone designs for everyone on the basis of one shared geometrical grid."[http://www.openstructures.net/]<br />
<br />
Based on a 4×4cm square that marks cutting lines and assembly points.<br />
Designed for disassembly, adaptation, re-assembly, and scalability.<br />
(lots of [[TriLap]] joints in the illustrations).<br />
<br />
=== Contraptor ===<br />
: ''Main page: [[Contraptor]]''<br />
<br />
* "Contraptor is a DIY open source construction set for experimental personal fabrication, desktop manufacturing, prototyping and bootstrapping. ... Contraptor is mechanically compatible with 1" T-slot ..., pegboard, 1" [[grid beam]] (such as commercially available perforated steel tube), and likely other things with dimensions standardized in 1" grid."<br />
<br />
See [[Contraptor]] for more details.<br />
<br />
=== other modular materials ===<br />
[[Image:gluegunfabber.jpg|thumb|right|glue gun fabber: Is this Vik Olliver's Meccano-set based RepRap prototype?]]<br />
* pegboard: wood sheets with a regular grid drilled into them ([[RBS/Grid]]) -- [[LeCorb]]; [[RBS]] suggests that a kind of RepRap could drill the appropriate grid pattern.<br />
* slatwall (Is this the same as T-slots routed into MDF ?) [http://kregjig.ning.com/forum/topics/i-need-t-track]<br />
* fischertechnik parts -- [[FTIStrap]] is the first RepStrap to succeed in printing 3D objects<br />
* the [http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=73 "Servo Erector Set"] looks like a quick way to assemble things like a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hEXwyJ2B78 Hexapod Robot CNC Router].<br />
* LEGO -- [[:Category:Lego]]<br />
* [http://www.erector-sets.net/ Erector] and Meccano -- ?<br />
* Merkur -- ?<br />
* [http://parts.ftcrobots.com/store/Default.aspx?bhcp=1 Pitsco TETRIX Parts] -- ?<br />
* [http://www.vexrobotics.com/products/accessories/structure VEX Robotics Design] -- ?<br />
* The Phenostream Robotics [http://www.phenostream.com/gallery.aspx BuildPlate construction system] looks like a quick way to assemble hand-sized robots -- ?<br />
* The [http://mrkimrobotics.com/?page_id=2209 "The 1X2 connector system"] -- [[1X2]], [[1X2 Shortcat]], and [[1X2 Tallcat]]<br />
* [[Plastic T-slot]]<br />
<br />
(the [http://fffff.at/free-universal-construction-kit/ Free Universal Construction Kit] is a set of adapters for interoperability between several of the above construction "toys").<br />
<br />
== cut-to-length construction materials ==<br />
<br />
=== metal rods ===<br />
<br />
* 8 mm threaded steel rod (aka "[[threaded rod]]" or "allthread" or "M8 studding"): Many RepRaps and RepStraps use all-thread as a easily-adjustable frame material. Many also have at least one axis driven by a "lead screw" of 8 mm threaded road or nearly equivalent 5/16" threaded rod that acts as a worm gear, turned by a [[stepper motor]], that pushes parts back and forth. A few use bigger sizes such as M12 and M10 threated rods in the [[BiBONE]][http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?152,128970] or smaller sizes such as the 1/4 inch threaded rod used in smaller [[SAE Mendel]] machines.<br />
* 8 mm smooth steel rods (aka [[smooth rod]], aka "drill rod"): Most RepRaps and RepStraps have parts that slide back and forth on 8 mm or nearly equivalent 5/16" smooth rod. A few RepStraps ({{tag|DriveTrains#rotary to linear motion conversion}}) spin a smooth rod with their motor rather than a threaded rod. A few use other sizes such as the 12 mm smooth rod used by [[HaMendel]][http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?152,169733] and BiBone. "O1 drill rod" ? "A2 drill rod" ?<br />
<br />
=== water pipe ===<br />
<br />
* electrical conduit (~20 mm OD steel tube) -- [[Uconduit]]<br />
* Steel water pipe and fittings -- [[Builders/Frank]]; [[McWire Cartesian Bot 1 2]]; [[Builders/PipeStrap]]; [[Development:McWire]]<br />
* [[PVC]] water pipe and fittings -- much lighter weight and lower cost and easier to drill than metal; but is it rigid enough? [[XtruBot]], [[RepRap Morgan]], [[LISA Simpson]], [[Easy build delta printer]], etc.<br />
** possibly using the [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:932732 "PVC pipe construction set"] as described at [http://3dprint.com/84284/pvc-pipe-construction-kit/ "PVC Pipe Construction Gets Boost with 3D Printed Corner Connectors"]<br />
* Large-diameter [[PVC]] sewer pipe -- using 6" (or larger) nominal I.D. pipe as a tower/gantry to mount the other parts of the printer. [[PipeDream]]<br />
<br />
=== other cut-to-length construction materials ===<br />
<br />
* low-cost softwood dimensional lumber, roughly 18x45mm and 18x70mm (close enough to "1x2" and "1x4"), bolted together -- [[1X2]] and [[WolfStrap]]<br />
* poplar planks -- [http://3dreplicators.com/New%20Front%20Page/Gallery/Gallery.htm Tommelise]<br />
* extruded aluminum L rails -- [[Doboz]]<br />
* [[#extruded aluminum]] in other shapes<br />
<br />
== cut-to-shape construction materials ==<br />
<br />
''Should we distinguish between cutting flat materials into a (2D) shape (perhaps with a [[CNC Router]]) and perhaps drilling a few holes into the face and edges, vs. cutting large blocks of material into arbitrary 3D shapes?''<br />
<br />
* cut sheets without any plastic printed parts (RepStrap):<br />
** sheet metal cut, drilled, and folded to approximate the plastic parts of a Mendel -- [[My Development Page Sheet Metal Mendel]]<br />
** sheet metal cut, drilled, and folded in other ways -- [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rU9ef3tBvk4 Tony's sheet metal RepStrap]<br />
** "MDF or Ply or Perspex/Acrlic or HDPE or Aluminum" sheets -- [[Huxley Seedling]]<br />
** laser-cut plastic (typically clear acrylic) -- [[Builders/LaserCut RepStraps]]; [[PonokoRepRap]]<br />
** sheet plywood -- [[PlywoodRepRaps]] such as [[LaserCut Mendel]]; [[CupCakeStrap]]; [[CupCake]] ??? ; [[Gunstrap]]; [[DeltaTrix]] ([http://www.deltatrix.co.uk/]; [http://www.instructables.com/id/DeltaTrix-3D-Printer]); etc.<br />
<br />
** foamcore -- see imoyer's Foamcore CNC Machine [http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/foamcore/] [http://reprap.development-tracker.info/development/143002] [http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Foamcore-CNC/]. Can this be laser-cut?<br />
** "flat sheets of wood or plastic (currently HDPE) ... Cut ... on some 2.5D CNC router" -- [[Isaac]], [[LaserCut Mendel]], etc.<br />
* hardwood cut in more or less the exact same shapes as the plastic parts of a Mendel -- [[Development:Wooden Mendel]]<br />
* metal cut in more or less the exact same shapes as the plastic parts of a Mendel -- [[Development:Metal Mendel]]<br />
* ??? -- [[Development:McWire Successor]] ???<br />
* adapting an off-the-shelf milling machine -- [[:Category:MillStrap]]<br />
* whatever random stuff I had laying around -- [[Builders/JunkStrap]]<br />
* Hybrid: cut sheets and plastic printed parts complementing each other:<br />
** Hybrid: Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or Acrylic sheet with printed brackets -- [[Mendel90]]; [[Prusa i3#Wood Sheet frame]]; [[Prusa i3#Box Style Frame]]; <br />
** 4 mm aluminum sheet metal and printed brackets -- [[Orca]]<br />
** 6 mm aluminum sheet metal and printed brackets -- [[Prusa i3#Single Sheet Frame]]<br />
** Dibond: [[Idea lab one]], [[Mendel90]], etc.<br />
** Hylite (aluminium-polypropylene-aluminum sheets), carefully CNC engraved to create [[living hinge]]s -- [https://hackaday.io/project/158650-folds-and-hinges-technology-to-make-mechanisms "Folds and Hinges Technology to Make Mechanisms"]<br />
<br />
To make future generations of self-replicating machines out of such materials seems to require a [[CNC Router]] or a [[Laser Cutter]].<br />
<br />
== other discussions of building material ==<br />
<br />
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Robotics/Design_Basics/Building_Materials Wikibooks: robot building materials] implies that cardboard (!) is best for quick prototypes; for functional robots, "wood is probably the best material to start with."; where wood isn't quite durable enough, aluminum is the best metal -- better than steel for most robots.<br />
** ''Is "edgeboard"[https://web.archive.org/web/20100804002012/http://www.arcspace.com/gehry_new/index.html?main=/gehry_new/cardb/cardb.html] the same as corrugated cardboard? It's apparently strong enough to hold up full-sized humans; is it strong enough to hold up an extruder nozzle?''<br />
** ''Is it possible to build a [[FlatPack]] RepStrap mostly out of "Laminated Laser-cut Cardboard"[http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?178,64851]?''<br />
*** [http://www.erb.co.il/en/cooperations.asp Izhar Gafni] has made a type of bicycle with a composite frame (''cardboard & epoxy?/some polyester?'') ("[http://www.dezeen.com/2012/11/12/cardboard-bicycle-by-izhar-gafni/ Cardboard Bicycle]"). It is apparently waterproof and strong enough to hold up full-sized humans. It is definitely worth an investigation, if nothing else for the other end of the M8 threaded rod there.. are on several levels; [[Epoxy_granite|Epoxy Granite]].<br />
<br />
<videoflash type="vimeo">37584656</videoflash><br />
<br />
* Some people building a [http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?p=27723&postcount=79 relatively open-source MechMate CNC router] claim that "Steel is the cheapest metal known to mankind. Buying Aluminum with equal structural properties will only INCREASE the cost".<br />
* [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/181194/rapid-prototyping-for-embedded-systems Stack Overflow: "Rapid Prototyping for Embedded Systems"]<br />
<br />
<br />
----<br />
[[Category:Development]]<br />
[[Category:Developments by material]]<br />
[[category:material]]<br />
[[category:reference]]<br />
[[Category:Analysis]]</div>FDMFANhttps://reprap.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Frame_material&diff=188055Frame material2020-06-15T13:51:53Z<p>FDMFAN: Removed spammy link</p>
<hr />
<div>People have built RepRap-based ... things ... out of a surprisingly wide variety of materials.<br />
<br />
Most of the mass of the RepRap is the outer frame.<br />
<br />
There seem to be 4 main approaches to making the frame:<br />
* build-up: Build the frame out of parts built-up to exactly the right shape and size.<br />
* modular: Build the frame out of some modular construction material, to make it easy to make a little bigger (so you can make bigger parts) or a little smaller (to improve rigidity and hopefully precision) or to otherwise experiment with different configurations. Also, once such a RepRap has been built and printed out the second generation, it can be disassembled and the parts used for other things.<br />
* cut: Build the frame out of some continuous material that is cut to length, and perhaps a few holes drilled in it, but not otherwise shaped.<br />
* shaped: Build the frame out of parts shaped to exactly the right shape and size.<br />
<br />
The [[Mendel frame]] seems to be a pretty good compromise, combining a few "cut" parts -- the studding (threaded rod) -- and a bunch of parts built-up from thermoplastic filament using a previous generation RepRap.<br />
<br />
The ideal material for a n+1 generation RepRap has these characteristics:<br />
* raw material extremely low cost<br />
* quick to convert raw material to parts (to reduce [[generation time]]) with nth generation RepRap<br />
* adequate strength-to-weight ratio so that it can hold itself up and move the tool head to a precise positions<br />
* ...<br />
* ''please fill in other characteristics I'm missing ...''<br />
<br />
The ideal material for a 0th generation [[RepStraps]] has these characteristics:<br />
* raw material easily available<br />
* easy for a human to shape ("easy to work") with easily available tools<br />
* adequate strength-to-weight ratio so that it can hold itself up and move the tool head in a precise positions<br />
* ...<br />
* ''please fill in other characteristics I'm missing ...''<br />
<br />
== build-up construction materials ==<br />
<br />
The most astonishing thing about RepRap is that it is designed out of parts that, with few exceptions, can be built-up on a RepRep.<br />
<br />
* thermoplastic [[filament]]: [[PLA]], [[ABS]], [[HDPE]], [[LDPE]], [[PP]], [[uPVC]], "Laywood Filament"(mentioned by [[RUG/Pennsylvania/State_College/RepRap_Media_Timeline|PA State RUG]]) -- see [[Printing Material Suppliers]]<br />
* thermoplastic granules: ... Is [[polycaprolactone]] (aka [http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKSHL1 "ShapeLock"]) stuff strong enough to build a RepStrap?<br />
** Apparently it is -- see [[Molding Mendel Parts]]<br />
* molten metal: [[Automated Circuitry Making#Fields Metal Deposition | Fields metal]]<br />
* Metal powder deposition, Electron beam sintered -- [[MetalicaRap]]<br />
* cement, modeling clay, pourable epoxy (''[[Epoxy granite]] etc'')-- [[PourStrap]] & [[GolemB]]<br />
<br />
== modular construction materials ==<br />
<br />
=== grid beam ===<br />
[[Image:Eiffel_Concept.jpg|thumb|right|Early version of Eiffel, showing the grid beam TriLap joints. (The beams should have through-holes repeating along the side.)]] <br />
grid beam: 2"x2" square beams with a line of holes: typically used for furniture and street signs.<br />
"pre-drilled square beams".<br />
A typical piece of furniture built out of grid beam uses lots of [[TriLap]] joints.<br />
<br />
Wooden grid beams seem easier to cut to length.<br />
Metal grid beams seem stronger and more rigid.<br />
<br />
Does it make any sense to use a mixture of both wooden and metal grid beams bolted together?<br />
<br />
* [[Eiffel]] is built out of grid beam.<br />
* [http://builders.reprap.org/2009/08/wrench-built-machine-update.html Wrench-built machine] appears to be built out of grid beam. A RepStrap built mostly out of 1" square perforated tube. ''(Is this a [[Eiffel]] or something else?)''<br />
* [[RBS]] and [[Eiffel]] suggests that a kind of RepRap could make grid beam out of lumber.<br />
* [[RBS/Beam]]<br />
* [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/LifeTrac_Questions#square_tube_construction_techniques square tube construction techniques]; [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/gridbeam Grid Beam]<br />
* The square metal tubes with round holes in the side pictured in [http://blog.reprap.org/2009/02/pull-yourself-together-bot.html "Pull Yourself Together, Bot!"] look a *lot* like grid beam -- would "real" grid beam work just as well?<br />
* http://www.gridbeam.com/<br />
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/<br />
* http://gridbeam.biz/<br />
* http://www.alliedtube.com/sign-support/traffic-sign-posts/telespar-square.asp<br />
* http://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-structural-tubing/=49tu63<br />
<br />
==== Bitbeam ====<br />
<br />
Bitbeam is a miniaturized grid-beam system compatible with Lego Technic, using 8mm x 8mm square beams.<br />
[http://www.makerbot.com/blog/tag/bitbeam]<br />
[http://bitbeam.org/]<br />
[http://bitbeam.org/about/]<br />
<br />
* Bitbeam -- [[BrickRap]], Bitbeambot[http://bitbeam.org/2012/08/25/bitbeambot-the-complete-kit/], etc.<br />
<br />
=== extruded aluminum ===<br />
* MakerBeam; 80/20 T-slot extrusion; etc. -- [[T-Rep]], [[SamBot]], etc.<br />
see [[Extruded Aluminum]] for similar aluminum materials.<br />
<br />
=== OpenStructures ===<br />
<br />
"The OS (OpenStructures) project explores the possibility of a modular construction model where everyone designs for everyone on the basis of one shared geometrical grid."[http://www.openstructures.net/]<br />
<br />
Based on a 4×4cm square that marks cutting lines and assembly points.<br />
Designed for disassembly, adaptation, re-assembly, and scalability.<br />
(lots of [[TriLap]] joints in the illustrations).<br />
<br />
=== Contraptor ===<br />
: ''Main page: [[Contraptor]]''<br />
<br />
* "Contraptor is a DIY open source construction set for experimental personal fabrication, desktop manufacturing, prototyping and bootstrapping. ... Contraptor is mechanically compatible with 1" T-slot ..., pegboard, 1" [[grid beam]] (such as commercially available perforated steel tube), and likely other things with dimensions standardized in 1" grid."<br />
<br />
See [[Contraptor]] for more details.<br />
<br />
=== other modular materials ===<br />
[[Image:gluegunfabber.jpg|thumb|right|glue gun fabber: Is this Vik Olliver's Meccano-set based RepRap prototype?]]<br />
* pegboard: wood sheets with a regular grid drilled into them ([[RBS/Grid]]) -- [[LeCorb]]; [[RBS]] suggests that a kind of RepRap could drill the appropriate grid pattern.<br />
* slatwall (Is this the same as T-slots routed into MDF ?) [http://kregjig.ning.com/forum/topics/i-need-t-track]<br />
* fischertechnik parts -- [[FTIStrap]] is the first RepStrap to succeed in printing 3D objects<br />
* the [http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=73 "Servo Erector Set"] looks like a quick way to assemble things like a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hEXwyJ2B78 Hexapod Robot CNC Router].<br />
* LEGO -- [[:Category:Lego]]<br />
* [http://www.erector-sets.net/ Erector] and Meccano -- ?<br />
* Merkur -- ?<br />
* [http://parts.ftcrobots.com/store/Default.aspx?bhcp=1 Pitsco TETRIX Parts] -- ?<br />
* [http://www.vexrobotics.com/products/accessories/structure VEX Robotics Design] -- ?<br />
* The Phenostream Robotics [http://www.phenostream.com/gallery.aspx BuildPlate construction system] looks like a quick way to assemble hand-sized robots -- ?<br />
* The [http://mrkimrobotics.com/?page_id=2209 "The 1X2 connector system"] -- [[1X2]], [[1X2 Shortcat]], and [[1X2 Tallcat]]<br />
* [[Plastic T-slot]]<br />
<br />
(the [http://fffff.at/free-universal-construction-kit/ Free Universal Construction Kit] is a set of adapters for interoperability between several of the above construction "toys").<br />
<br />
== cut-to-length construction materials ==<br />
<br />
=== metal rods ===<br />
<br />
* 8 mm threaded steel rod (aka "[[threaded rod]]" or "allthread" or "M8 studding"): Many RepRaps and RepStraps use all-thread as a easily-adjustable frame material. Many also have at least one axis driven by a "lead screw" of 8 mm threaded road or nearly equivalent 5/16" threaded rod that acts as a worm gear, turned by a [[stepper motor]], that pushes parts back and forth. A few use bigger sizes such as M12 and M10 threated rods in the [[BiBONE]][http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?152,128970] or smaller sizes such as the 1/4 inch threaded rod used in smaller [[SAE Mendel]] machines.<br />
* 8 mm smooth steel rods (aka [[smooth rod]], aka "drill rod"): Most RepRaps and RepStraps have parts that slide back and forth on 8 mm or nearly equivalent 5/16" smooth rod. A few RepStraps ({{tag|DriveTrains#rotary to linear motion conversion}}) spin a smooth rod with their motor rather than a threaded rod. A few use other sizes such as the 12 mm smooth rod used by [[HaMendel]][http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?152,169733] and BiBone. "O1 drill rod" ? "A2 drill rod" ?<br />
<br />
=== water pipe ===<br />
<br />
* electrical conduit (~20 mm OD steel tube) -- [[Uconduit]]<br />
* Steel water pipe and fittings -- [[Builders/Frank]]; [[McWire Cartesian Bot 1 2]]; [[Builders/PipeStrap]]; [[Development:McWire]]<br />
* [[PVC]] water pipe and fittings -- much lighter weight and lower cost and easier to drill than metal; but is it rigid enough? [[XtruBot]], [[RepRap Morgan]], [[LISA Simpson]], [[Easy build delta printer]], etc.<br />
** possibly using the [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:932732 "PVC pipe construction set"] as described at [http://3dprint.com/84284/pvc-pipe-construction-kit/ "PVC Pipe Construction Gets Boost with 3D Printed Corner Connectors"]<br />
* Large-diameter [[PVC]] sewer pipe -- using 6" (or larger) nominal I.D. pipe as a tower/gantry to mount the other parts of the printer. [[PipeDream]]<br />
<br />
=== other cut-to-length construction materials ===<br />
<br />
* low-cost softwood dimensional lumber, roughly 18x45mm and 18x70mm (close enough to "1x2" and "1x4"), bolted together -- [[1X2]] and [[WolfStrap]]<br />
* poplar planks -- [http://3dreplicators.com/New%20Front%20Page/Gallery/Gallery.htm Tommelise]<br />
* extruded aluminum L rails -- [[Doboz]]<br />
* [[#extruded aluminum]] in other shapes<br />
<br />
== cut-to-shape construction materials ==<br />
<br />
''Should we distinguish between cutting flat materials into a (2D) shape (perhaps with a [[CNC Router]]) and perhaps drilling a few holes into the face and edges, vs. cutting large blocks of material into arbitrary 3D shapes?''<br />
<br />
* cut sheets without any plastic printed parts (RepStrap):<br />
** sheet metal cut, drilled, and folded to approximate the plastic parts of a Mendel -- [[My Development Page Sheet Metal Mendel]]<br />
** sheet metal cut, drilled, and folded in other ways -- [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rU9ef3tBvk4 Tony's sheet metal RepStrap]<br />
** "MDF or Ply or Perspex/Acrlic or HDPE or Aluminum" sheets -- [[Huxley Seedling]]<br />
** laser-cut plastic (typically clear acrylic) -- [[Builders/LaserCut RepStraps]]; [[PonokoRepRap]]<br />
** sheet plywood -- [[PlywoodRepRaps]] such as [[LaserCut Mendel]]; [[CupCakeStrap]]; [[CupCake]] ??? ; [[Gunstrap]]; [[DeltaTrix]] ([http://www.deltatrix.co.uk/]; [http://www.instructables.com/id/DeltaTrix-3D-Printer]); etc.<br />
<br />
** foamcore -- see imoyer's Foamcore CNC Machine [http://web.mit.edu/imoyer/www/portfolio/foamcore/] [http://reprap.development-tracker.info/development/143002] [http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Foamcore-CNC/]. Can this be laser-cut?<br />
** "flat sheets of wood or plastic (currently HDPE) ... Cut ... on some 2.5D CNC router" -- [[Isaac]], [[LaserCut Mendel]], etc.<br />
* hardwood cut in more or less the exact same shapes as the plastic parts of a Mendel -- [[Development:Wooden Mendel]]<br />
* metal cut in more or less the exact same shapes as the plastic parts of a Mendel -- [[Development:Metal Mendel]]<br />
* ??? -- [[Development:McWire Successor]] ???<br />
* adapting an off-the-shelf milling machine -- [[:Category:MillStrap]]<br />
* whatever random stuff I had laying around -- [[Builders/JunkStrap]]<br />
* Hybrid: cut sheets and plastic printed parts complementing each other:<br />
** Hybrid: Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or Acrylic sheet with printed brackets -- [[Mendel90]]; [[Prusa i3#Wood Sheet frame]]; [[Prusa i3#Box Style Frame]]; <br />
** 4 mm aluminum sheet metal and printed brackets -- [[Orca]]<br />
** 6 mm aluminum sheet metal and printed brackets -- [[Prusa i3#Single Sheet Frame]]<br />
** Dibond: [[Idea lab one]], [[Mendel90]], etc.<br />
** Hylite (aluminium-polypropylene-aluminum sheets), carefully CNC engraved to create [[living hinge]]s -- [https://hackaday.io/project/158650-folds-and-hinges-technology-to-make-mechanisms "Folds and Hinges Technology to Make Mechanisms"]<br />
<br />
To make future generations of self-replicating machines out of such materials seems to require a [[CNC Router]] or a [[Laser Cutter]].<br />
<br />
== other discussions of building material ==<br />
<br />
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Robotics/Design_Basics/Building_Materials Wikibooks: robot building materials] implies that cardboard (!) is best for quick prototypes; for functional robots, "wood is probably the best material to start with."; where wood isn't quite durable enough, aluminum is the best metal -- better than steel for most robots.<br />
** ''Is "edgeboard"[https://web.archive.org/web/20100804002012/http://www.arcspace.com/gehry_new/index.html?main=/gehry_new/cardb/cardb.html] the same as corrugated cardboard? It's apparently strong enough to hold up full-sized humans; is it strong enough to hold up an extruder nozzle?''<br />
** ''Is it possible to build a [[FlatPack]] RepStrap mostly out of "Laminated Laser-cut Cardboard"[http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?178,64851]?''<br />
*** [http://www.erb.co.il/en/cooperations.asp Izhar Gafni] has made a type of bicycle with a composite frame (''cardboard & epoxy?/some polyester?'') ("[http://www.dezeen.com/2012/11/12/cardboard-bicycle-by-izhar-gafni/ Cardboard Bicycle]"). It is apparently waterproof and strong enough to hold up full-sized humans. It is definitely worth an investigation, if nothing else for the other end of the M8 threaded rod there.. are on several levels; [[Epoxy_granite|Epoxy Granite]].<br />
<br />
<videoflash type="vimeo">37584656</videoflash><br />
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* Some people building a [http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?p=27723&postcount=79 relatively open-source MechMate CNC router] claim that "Steel is the cheapest metal known to mankind. Buying Aluminum with equal structural properties will only INCREASE the cost".<br />
* [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/181194/rapid-prototyping-for-embedded-systems Stack Overflow: "Rapid Prototyping for Embedded Systems"]<br />
<br />
* [[User:Mrkim]] mentions various "Classes of machines",[http://mrkimrobotics.com/?page_id=2209][http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5773] including entire classes of machines that the above seems to neglect.<br />
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[[Category:Development]]<br />
[[Category:Developments by material]]<br />
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