Huxley
This page is a development stub. Please enhance this page by adding information, cad files, nice big images, and well structured data!
Release status: experimental
Description | |
License | unknown
|
Author | |
Contributors | |
Based-on | |
Categories | |
CAD Models | |
External Link |
A miniaturization of the Mendel design. The machine uses M6 threaded rods and M3 nuts and bolts (as opposed to the M8/M4 used on Mendel) and NEMA 14 steppers. The reprapped parts are about 30% of the volume of those for Mendel, which is to say it could reproduce three times faster.
Here's a close up rendered by M.BrittCrane:
I've found suppliers for all of the parts, and the estimated cost of the Mini-mendel would be under 350 euros (in Europe). Note that because the design is not yet stable, you may need to order more to get everything working satisfactory.
<iframe width='900' height='400' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tw60t_E6G8tVNhBgMqAjcbw&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true'></iframe>
<iframe width='900' height='400' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tw60t_E6G8tVNhBgMqAjcbw&single=true&gid=1&output=html&widget=true'></iframe>
You can ask ErikDeBruijn for edit permissions to this Google Docs sheet.
Contents
Parts
Apart from the sources listed here, also check out the forSale-subforum in the RepRap-forum.
Printed parts
- You can easily print these production files in 14 makerbot-sized plates.
- You may print an (experimental!!!) shelled MiniMendel using less material and time
- single parts can of cause be printed too
Electronics
Identical to Mendel or you can use the BitsFromBytes -electronics that allow standalone operation from SD-card. When using the BitsFromBytes electronics, be advised that this requires a proprietary tool chain to build new firmware that works with the mini-mendel. Also, the latest versions of the source code for their electronics are frequently not publicly available.
Sources:
EU:
- German RepRap Foundation
- Warrenrott
- BitsFromBytes (alternative Elektronik)
Bowden cable
EU:
- German RepRap Foundation (currently sold out)
Steppers
Standard 3xNEMA14 and 1xNEMA17(extruder) steppers. Smaller and less expensive than on the full sized Mendel.
Sources (steppers):
- EU
- KD85 (NEMA17)
- German RepRap Foundation (NEMA14 and NEMA17) (NEMA14 currently sold out)
- active-robots.com NEMA14 and NEMA17
- totalrobots NEMA14 and NEMA17
- US
Sources (Allegro A4983 based stepper-drivers):
- EU
- US
(or use the BitsFromBytes-electronic that include stepper-drivers)
Extruder
The MiniMendel uses a bowden-extruder that has less moving mass and thus higher speed due to the stepper not being on the print-head.
Sources for parts:
- EU
- reprapsource/shapercube
- wattenrott (use the hot-end -part of the MK4-kit)
- German RepRap Foundation
- US
- makerbot-store (use the hot-end -part of the MK4-kit)
Timing belt
The MiniMendel uses the same 5mm pitch Synchroflex timing belt as is used on the Mendel.
"Synchroflex(R) timing belt,800Lx10Wmm" and
"Synchroflex(R) timing belt,550Lx10Wmm"
sources:
- EU
- German RepRap Foundation
- Watterott (2010-05-05: avaliable within this week)
- rs-online
- farnell (slightly different lengthes, need adjustment in other parts)
- US
Bearings
- EU
- German RepRap Foundation(2010-05-05: avaliable next week)
Nuts and bolts
All metric and obtainable in every home-improvement-store. 608-bearings can be found cheap everywhere you can buy or repair a skateboard.
Thick sheets
These 2 sheets can be cut from plexiglass or wood with simple tools.
Success stories
- Erik
- I've printed all RP parts in ABS, they weigh about 300 g. This means you can print 2 sets with your first kg of ABS if you use rafts.
- Update: Mini-Mendel built and working!
Ongoing development
- Main development seems to be going on in the RepRap-forum
- Marcus Wolschon is currently trying to create a hollowed Mini-Mendel that can be found HERE and uses even less material. Prints and tests for mechanical stability will have to be conducted.
- Marcus created a Shelled MiniMendel that only required 110g of ABS and less then 10h to print. (It may be filled with epoxy after printing but that is not required in all cases.)