I have this frame I want to turn into a 3d printer. Anyone have any input as to what parts I should try using? This will be my first 3d printer to try my hand at.
Check out Misumi.com they have tons of rods, bearings and brackets that might work in that rack mount frame. Cool idea.
Thanks, I’ve looked at the website but I’m still debating how I should have the printhead move with this frame and if I should try a stationary bed or a verticle moving bed. Also on which size linear rods either 8mm or larger.
I have both bed types and i will say whichever you choose make sure you add some auto leveling calibration, it makes life so much easier. the RigidBot community here in G+ has a lot of good info on modifying the reprap marlin firmware to do this (even though it is for a specific printer). Good luck whatever you do!
@Mark_Rehorst in one of the pictures I added the dimensions: 610 x 376 x 491 mm.
@Mark_Rehorst The frame is military grade and very solid. I pulled it out of an equipment transport case. So with no flexing I wouldn’t need auto level?
@Mark_Rehorst For now I’m thinking parts for other types of CNC machines: mill, PCB, etc. If I can make an even more useful tool than that’s what I’m going for.
@Shawn_Nguyen have a look at the CoreXY designs on the reprap wiki. You can mount v-bed tracks along the long axis for “x”, and then build a platform on rods that rides on the v-rollers for “y”. Put the build platform in the middle under a scissor lift and you’ve got your Z.
@Chuck_McManis The scissor lift seems like a really easy z-axis method.
@Mark_Rehorst I plan on making this one as solid as possible. Maybe with future builds that are more modular I would need auto-tramming. I want to have accuracy over speed as well.
I do have existing slide rails on both sides which appear to have an inside measurement of 40x4x528mm that I would like to use to mount a CoreXY system. Any ideas on that?
What about 3 or 4 verticle threaded rods that are belt driven to move the z-axis? I’ve seen some machines use that method.
Below is a link, to link to RepRap, it is a community of DIY’s, follow all the links and you DIY project should go smooth. That is as long as you think smooth is wanting to give your DIY build a flying lesson off the top of a three story building once and a while, is considered smooth! The best part is they have a Community’s/blogs, to keep you from tossing your DIY machine off the roof and a place to for help!!
http://reprap.org/wiki/Build_A_RepRap
RepRap is short for a Replicating Rapid-prototyper, a self-replicating 3d printer, most of today’s top consumer level 3D printers, are originated in one way or another from RepRap.
The first link I gave has vendors, and other DIY’s have parts for sale. Also eBay is packed full of 3D printer parts, and many of them are from RepRap DIY’s
@Mark_Rehorst RepRap gives him the parts he needs to build a machine, with out having to fabricate the parts from scratch. He can scale his machine to what ever size he wants:
they do give a link to some suppliers of ball screws, Linear Guide rails/rods, and bearings to scale to a small size. If chooses to build something bigger his choice:
https://buildyourcnc.com/default.aspx/
Although, to build past his size, I would go with metal/Alloy gears and parts, instead of the parts they are printing, to handle the stress.
@Mark_Rehorst RepRap have spawned a lot more designs than just the bed moving in the y axis. Think of the Rostock, tantillus, Simpson and Morgan to name a few. http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap_Machines
I know I may have some difficulty since I’m not using any t-slots which would be much easier. I will have to drill more holes in the top and bottom of the frame to connect some of the parts but hopefully I can use the existing holes in the verticle beams to mount some things. If I end up messing up I still have the second frame to make corrections and/or improvements.
I have some motors and a board picked out: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/CTZEBL2XM8WS/ref=cm_sw_r_an_wl_o_qf34ub1VDE8Q9. I’m still learning a bit about the motors, board, and drivers. Could someone verify that these would work together?
If your plans include printing large objects which will occupy the majority of the frame, you do not want to have the bed moving along the Y axis as that much mass, moving that quickly (once the print gets large), can cause serious adhesion problems.
I want to use a CoreXY for the build. The plan for the z-axis is the build a sturdy bed and mount it on 4 verticle linear rails and use 2 threaded rods on opposite sides to move it.
Are you going to use a heated bed and build an enclosure for temp control?