Extruded Aluminum

This page has been flagged as containing duplicate material that T-Slot also attempts to cover.
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.

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.

3Drag printer

See 3drag.

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.

kinds of extruded aluminum

aluminum L rails: Doboz

MakerSlide is an open source aluminum extrusion with a built-in V-rail linear bearing system. The Deltic3D, ORD bot, Freedeepee, CNC Router, etc. all use MakerSlide as part of their drive train.

• official site: http://www.inventables.com/technologies/makerslide
• "Kickstarter: MakerSlide Open Source Linear Bearing System"

YesRail, apparently designed for the P2f RepStrap, is a rail system "based on Open Rail and MakerSlide".

OpenRail: Linear V rail universal mounts to t-slot extrusion

• http://www.3ders.org/articles/20120610-open-rail-an-open-source-universal-linear-rail-system.html
• http://openbuildspartstore.com/
• http://www.openbuilds.com/OpenBuilds_Store/openbuilds-news/openbuilds-xy-table-build
• http://www.openbuilds.com/OpenBuilds_Store/openbuilds-news/how-to-install-openrail

VSlot: Metric Extrusion with built in Linear Rails

• http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/openrail/openbuilds-v-slot
• http://openbuildspartstore.com/
• http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130323-open-source-v-slot-linear-framing-system-fully-funded-on-kickstarter.html
• http://www.openbuilds.com/OpenBuilds_Store/openbuilds-news/openbuilds-v-slot-coming-soon

aluminum L rails

• Doboz

fischertechnik aluminum beams look similar to MakerBeam

fischertechnik: you can get extruded aluminum versions of some fischertechnik parts

• Builders/FTIStrap

80/20 beams: typically used for machines larger than a refrigerator

• T-Slot beams in a variety of profiles, from 20mm x 20mm to 45mm x 45mm. See Wikipedia: 80/20 framing systems.
• 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.
• "Another CNC machine?" points out a couple of lower-cost sources of 80/20 beams.

MakerBeam: typically used for small desktop models

• 10mm X 10mm profile T-Slot style building system.
• http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/makerbeam
• http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/makerbeamhere

OpenBeam

• 15mm X 15mm profile T-Slot style building system.
• Make: OpenBeam Miniature T-slot Framing System
• Kickstarter: OpenBeam - An open source miniature construction system
• OpenBeamUSA at Tam Labs
• Rostock mentions a possibility of using OpenBeam in combination with OpenRail
  • Kickstarter: Open Rail Open Source Linear Bearing System; OpenRail.net

Makeblock: typically used for small desktop models

• open-source modular extruded aluminum system
• http://makeblock.cc/
• Wired: "Robotics Hacker Erects Open Source ‘Lego for Adults’"
• Kickstarter: "Makeblock : Next Generation of Construct Platform"

Early version of Eiffel, showing the grid beam TriLap joints. (The beams should have through-holes repeating along the side.)

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

MicroRAX

• 10mm X 10mm profile T-Slot style building system.
• http://www.microrax.com/

Extruded rectangular aluminum tubes:

• "Parametrically Designed XY Motion Stage", apparently part of the thesis "Rapid Prototyping of Rapid Prototyping Machines" by Ilan Ellison Moyer.

square metal tubes, that later have holes drilled only where bolts are needed, as in T-Rep 0 (the progenitor) and Strapzilla and TeeBot <flickr>3951997454|none</flickr> <flickr>5084805984|right</flickr>