Extruded Aluminum
These pages should be merged such that both pages do not attempt to cover the duplicate topics.
Please do not add to this page. (It is slightly overcrowded as it is.)
This Page Contains multiple RepRap development projects and should be split up. Each individual project/design/improvement should have its own development page within an encompassing category.
Aluminum is one of the more popular frame materials.
Contents
XCbot
See XCbot.
SamBot
This image via EMCRepStrap. This is SamBot, Probably a metric extruded aluminum machine. See Extruded Aluminum#Metric for more details.
T-Slot Based 3D Replicator
<flickr>4379919116|none</flickr>
See T-Rep.
This page is dedicated to the creation of a 3D Replicator with a frame based on T-slotted framing. Here is an excellent source of these materials: http://8020.net/T-Slot-1.asp
We feel that the desire to self replicate has been holding back the RepRap device from gaining wider acceptance and also attaining higher performance levels coupled with greater versatility. Ideally a T-Slot Replicator will be multi-tool enabled with support for FDM, Shape Deposition Manufacturing, CNC_Mill Spindles, Pick and Place and possibly other tools like lasers and Laser Cutters. We also would like to see more versatile and off the shelf solutions for the electronics as few are willing or capable of creating their own boards. Lastly, the software needs to be more plug and play so that less time is spent installing, configuring and tweaking. See also Development Pathway
If you are interested in this project, please share your thoughts and designs here.
Development Pathway
This page will eventually fork into a tree of different webpages. That will include SamBot, HydraBot, My Extruded Aluminum RepStrap, My Extruded Aluminum Laser Cutter, and so on. But right now, all the action is on this webpage.
Metric
kinds of extruded aluminum
fischertechnik: you can get extruded aluminum versions of some fischertechnik parts
80/20 beams: typically used for machines larger than a refrigerator
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80/20_%28framing_system%29
- http://8020inc.net/
- How much does extruded aluminum cost? http://www.flomoco.com/8020_flomoco.html has Sketchup libraries to make virtual models out of 80/20, and a Instant Quote to estimate how much it costs to convert that virtual model into reality.
MakerBeam: typically used for small desktop models
- http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/makerbeam
- http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/makerbeamhere
grid beam: square beams with a line of holes: typically used for furniture and street signs
- Eiffel mentions "pre-drilled square beams".
- square tube construction techniques
- The square metal tubes with round holes in the side pictured in "Pull Yourself Together, Bot!" look a *lot* like grid beam -- would "real" grid beam work just as well?
- http://www.gridbeamers.com/
- http://gridbeam.biz/
- http://www.alliedtube.com/sign-support/traffic-sign-posts/telespar-square.asp
- http://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-structural-tubing/=49tu63
square metal tubes, that later have holes drilled only where bolts are needed, as in T-Rep 0 (the progenitor) and Strapzilla <flickr>3951997454|none</flickr> <flickr>5084805984|right</flickr>