Thing is, come summer months I really like to be in the shed, making things. Then the old FSX takes a bit of a back seat. This past summer was no exception. So....
This past summer I set out and built myself a 3D printer.
This is a challenge that had been lurking in the back of my mind now for at least two years, and finally got done.
(I have previously, some ten years ago, built myself a CNC router to enable the building of my RC "Miss Lizzie", a 6ft wingspan bi-plane. Then 6 yrs ago I also built a CNC foam cutter for RC wings. -- http://gm.cnc.free.fr/en/index.html--
Thing is, with this I am not new to CNC workings, of great benefit with building the printer.)
So herewith some photos of the summer project if I may.
X Axis motor: and Frog print start:
Frog in print:
Frog complete:
PCB Drill stand 1:
etc etc.
For those interested in the technicalities of it all:
The printer comprises three axis's, X Y and Z. (Cartesian style)
Printable area is 200mm x 200mm x 180mm height.
The basis of the whole machine is the Y axis, which used to be an old metal framed scanner. (must be very old, early 80's at a guess)
I added another slide rod to the carriage for total stability.
X and Z axis are steel bearing type drawer runners. These are two layer telescopic slides, but I only used the most bottom slide (Z axis has two, one either side).
Z axis each side has its own motor and screw rod, each working in sinc off their own motor and driver board.
THE WHOLE THING IS ARDUINO DRIVEN..
Mobo is Arduino Mega, on top of which is an added shield, Ramps 1.4
Software for the PC (that I used) is "Repetier Host" Totally free and totally supported: https://www.repetier.com/
Firmware (that I used) for the Arduino is "Repetier Firmware"
Repetier host also includes two slicer programs, of which I use "Slic3r. http://slic3r.org/ This program is needed to slice your 3d drwg into horizontal slices.
I designed the parts for the PCB Drill press using Autodesk 123D another free program: http://www.123dapp.com/design
(I have since acquired and fitted a heated bed)
This was an enormously satisfying project to tackle, with loads of involvement and loads and loads to learn.
Loved every moment of it, and a bit sad that it is all up and running now.Cost to build?
Ramps 1.4 Shield - £10.00 EBAY
Heated bed plate - £7.52 EBAY
Extruder + hot end -- £20.95 EBAY
Everything else is old stock I had in hand..
Any more info? Just ask.
Thanks for looking
Jan
PS: Repetier firmware, as it stands, can be configured to anyone of the following three modes:
1. FDM (3D Printing) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling
2. CNC Router
3. CNC Lazer
