Mendel Variations/Catalyst
Release status: working
Description | a Mendel variation distributed from profounddevices.com
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Contents
Working Notes
The design creator has made a number of videos available, as well as assorted assembly notes. He also has made control software which should probably be handled separately.
The design is notable for its simplicity. Belts are eliminated. The formed parts are designed to be easily produced in small batches and accept roughness derived from their production. A definite effort has been made to reduce the number and variety of components.
Discussion
Forum threads
Software
Onboard
Arduino Loader, link to current version
Arduino File, link to current version
Host
Motor Controller Application, link to current version.
This version is suitable for testing the motors. Updates are scheduled.
Drawings
STL_FILES
Circuit Diagrams
Extruder
current version, not yet confirmed.
Temperature Sensor
Assembly
Assembly Notes
Electrical Components
Power Supply
Electronics
Sensors
- Limit Switches (3)
- Temperature Sensor
- Wire, Aluminum
- --User Circuit--
- --Circuit Components--
Motors
Stepper Motors (5)
- X-Axis Stepper
- Y-Axis Stepper
- 2 Z-Axis Steppers assembly
- Feeder Stepper
Wire
CAT5 cable, separated
Extruder
- Insulated Ni-Chrome Wire
- PTFE Insulator
- Brass Heated Barrel
- Brass Tool Tip
- Wire, Aluminum
- --User Circuit--
- --Circuit Components--
MechanicalComponents
Frame
- Threaded Rod (6)
- Mendel Vertices (12)
- Bolts (48)
- Washers (48)
Mounting Board
- Board Mount
- Screws (6)
Bowman Cable
- Tube
- Nuts (2)
X-Axis Gantry
- X-Axis Carriages (2) assembly
- Bolts (4 x 2)
- Inner Plate (1 x 2)
- Washers (8 x 2)
- Bearings (8 x 2)
- Bolts (8 x 2)
- Outer Plate (1 x 2)
- Screw (4)
- Washers (4)
- Nuts (4)
- Hollow Rod (2)
- X-Motor Mount (2)
- Screw (4)
- Washers (4)
- Nuts (4)
- Extruder Assembly
- Extruder Mount assemblystill photos
- Negative-X Extruder Mount
- Positive-X Extruder Mount
- Horizontal Extruder Mount
- Extruder Frame assembly
- 3-Hole Washers (2)
- Screws(2)
- Nuts (2)
- Bowman Mount
- Bowman Capture Mount
- Bolt
- Nut
- Washer
- Extruder Mount assemblystill photos
- Drive Nut Catch
- Drive Nut Catch Plate
- Bolts (2)
- Nuts (2)
- X-Axle
- Threaded Rod
- Flywheel
- Bolts (3)
- Lock Washer
- Tube, motor adapter
- Limit Switch Mountassembly
Y-Axis
Y-Axis Gantry
- Y-Axis Mounts (8)assembly
- Hollow Rod (2)
- Y-Axis Table assembly, older - part 1, older - part 2
- Positive-Y Table Mount
- Negative-Y Table Mount
- Screws (4)
- Nuts (6)
- Washers (2)
- Lock Washers (2)
- Bolts (4)
- Nuts (16)
- Springs (4)
- Washers (4)
- Build Surface
- Limit Switch Mountassembly
- Drive Nut Catch
- Drive Nut Catch Plate
- Bolts (2)
- Nuts (2)
Y-Axis Motor Mount Assembly assembly
- Y-Axis Motor Mount Lower Assembly
- Y-Axis Lower Motor Mount
- Bolts (2)
- Washers (2)
- Nuts (2)
- Y-Axis Motor Mount Upper Assembly
- Y-Axis Upper Motor Mount
- Bolts (4)
- Washers (4)
- Nuts (4)
- Bolt
- Washer
- Lock Washer
Y-Axle
- Threaded Rod
- Flywheel
- Bolts (3)
- Lock Washer
- Tube, motor adapter
- Bolts (2)
Z-Axis
Z-Axle (2) assemblyassembly- part 2
- Threaded Rod (1 x 2)
- Tube (1 x 2) motor adapter
- Nut (1 x 2)
Z-Motor Mount Assembly (2) assembly
- Z-Motor Mount (2 x 2)
- Bolts (2 x 2)
- Washers (2 x 2)
- Nuts (2 x 2)
- Bolts (4 x 2)
- Lock Washers (2 x 2)
- Washers (2 x 2)
- Bolt (1 x 2)
- Nut (1 x 2)
Hollow Rod (2) Z-Rod Top Mount (2) assembly
- Rod Coupling Nut (2 x 2)
- Z-Rod Mount (2 x 2)
- Bolts (2 x 2)
- Limit Switch Mount assembly
Feeder
assembly, previous Feeder Motor Rotor
- Bolt
- Washer
- Bearing
- Washer
- Plumbing Seat Washer gasket
- Nut
- Rod Coupling Nut (2 x 2)
- Tube motor adapter
- Superglue
- Bowman Mount
- Bowman Capture Mount
- Bolt
- Nut
- Washer
- Pinch Rotor
- Bolt
- Bearing
- Washer
- Washers (2)
- Nut
- Bolts (4)
- Nuts (16)
- Feeder Rotor Plate
- Feeder Center Plate
- Feeder Motor Base Plate
- Washers (2)
- Bolts (2)
- Washers (2)
- Nuts (2)
Tooling
Description of tooling requirements.
you will need 2 pliers or a pair of pliers with socket wrench, tape, knife or extractor knife, and super glue to glue the tubing onto motor axis. for the redesigned version that has pull-chain you will also need a file to file down the x and y axis to fit into the geared adapter that is slotted for washers or a 1/10 nut. this prevents nut from slipping.
also for Assembly of axises, to bushings/spacers. it is a good idea to file the space for the spaces, and leave enough room, to place hot glue from a glue gun between them. and for the x and z axis with extruder mount it is a good idea not to have it more tight then it needs to be otherwise it will drag. i would sand the top a little bit, and place hot glue in between the bushings while the parts are in place. this ensures simple alignment, and little slop room. I will post more videos soon, but this model is retiring soon.
if you are interested in a reprap and have not started, this design is now old. there is another user that is doing a simple reprap that is called Prusa Mendel. It uses many similar design setups such as 2 motors for z axis, bushing on axis's , and it has much better documentation, and formal recommendation for use of cnc components and drivers. I think with the right frame of mind and a good size garage you could make that one for around 250$ us. currency. watch my cnc videos or use my software g runner to test setup. www.profounddevices.com 12/6/2010
Process
What is making the part like?