Extruded Aluminum
This image via EMCRepStrap. Probably a metric extruded aluminum machine. See Extruded Aluminum#Metric for more details.
Contents
T-Slot Based 3D Replicator
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
80/20 beams: typically used for machines larger than a refrigerator
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) <flickr>3951997454|none</flickr>
Aluminum is one of the more popular frame materials.