I’m looking into building a delta 3d printer. Can you please direct me to a suitable design that I can use as a model, perhaps with stl’s and other guidance? Thanks
Here’s a great resource:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=diy+delta+printer
Ah Fred, that was not very helpful. Just because it is on Google doesn’t mean it works, or works well, or is well designed. I’m looking into this too as I may have some scrap steppers heading my way. I’ll post my design here when I’m done.
Great kit available at http://folgertech.com for great price!
Kossel is a style of delta printer that has been done a number of times. Richrap is another.
I really like my Rostock max v2 kit from seemecnc. It was a challenge, but the results are pretty awesome.
I would advise considering if you will be able to make an enclosure or not when choosing your design. Enclosures are important for ABS and may be difficult to make for some delta style printers.
@Neal_Grieb
When I read your post, I saw an ambiguous request with little reference for desired features and/or specifications. My reply was equally ambiguous.
If I were looking for another delta printer, I’d ask questions of the nature of the beast.
Is there a fully enclosed delta printer I can build?
Is there a delta printer with a heated bed (or not)?
Will all the delta printers use Bowden feeds?
Is a direct drive configuration too heavy for a delta printer I can build?
What’s the largest size I can build from plans/kit?
What’s a common size I can build from plans/kit?
I’m sure I’m overlooking many aspects of a delta printer because I’m awaiting delivery of mine and probably know less than you might, at this time.
@Fred_U Here are some other aspects:
Would it be easy to install a 2nd extruder?
Are the delta arms firm?
When upgrading to dual extrusion, make sure that the 2 hotends are identical with a possible exception of nozzle opening diameter.
When using dual extrusion, will one of the nozzles drag on the print? This will probably happen if there is any wobble in any of the delta arms.
Will the bed bow any when heated?
Will the settings in the firmware for the delta math be accurate or will it cause a slight bow up or down at the center instead of it being a perfect Z plane?
Is the assembly foolproof enough where you do not have to worry about the 3 rails on the side being perfectly perpendicular to the build plate?
Will the effector stay put when power is removed from the motors or will it instantly drop? You certainly don’t want it falling fast and crashing into the build plate which might be breakable glass. You don’t want the effector to have too much resistance in its movements. You also don’t want the hot end coming down on your hands when you are removing the print from the build plate.
Just like for a cartesian style, being able to heat up the build plate quickly is important. Waiting is a pain.
Fred, I see your point. There are so many design aspects to worry about. That’s why if I do build one, it will be a scratch build of my own design…so I can continuously improve it as I find issues. I’m also weary because I hear a general disgust with delta printers and I’m not sure why…?
On that note there was an earlier post about the Atom printer, that from a design perspective looked solid…though it did seem to have a bowden drive.
The origin of my original question was whether or not someone has built one from open source plans that they were happy with. Not having built a delta yet and not knowing the right vs wrong things to do, I was simply hoping for direction towards a successful build.
If you want specifics, single extruder, no heat bed required and I have the ability to print or design custom parts of needed.
@Neal_Grieb It is unusual for a delta style printer to have something else than a bowden drive because the motor needs to be fast enough to give people the extrusion speed they want, but light enough to let them get the x,y,z speed that they want without skipping steps.
Delta style printers a just a bit harder to get working 100% right. That is especially the case for new guys, I hear. I started out with a delta style printer and I am not disgusted with it. I just think I could have spent more of my time doing more enjoyable things if I was not having so much time spent on calibration. I probably bought my printer 1 year too soon too.
@Greg_Nutt So, you only plan on using PLA?
Here is a page about Kossel printers.
http://reprap.org/wiki/Kossel
@NathanielStenzel when you say motor the first time, you mean the filament feed motor, correct? Isn’t trundle speed simply a function of the stepper torque? I’ve yet to do the math, but I’d think that one could use gearing and pulley systems to compensate for these deficiencies (if not simply use better steppers). I understand the need for cheap reliable parts, but I also feel that most of the printers I have seen are designed around the nema17 sized motors (even for the feed motors), which seem to have fairly low torque to weight ratios.
@Neal_Grieb 2hr before this, I was talking about the motor for the extruder under the condition of the xtruer being on the effector. 4hr before this and inthe last paragraph, I was talking about the motors that move the delta arms around.
@R_H11 i got it, and loves it. It’s very rubust and is a world away from the acrylic i3 I had before that was an endless hell of re-adjusting.
Look for a Kossel
@NathanielStenzel I was referring to the previous reply to me of course, and am simply trying to gauge why you think it would be difficult to have a direct drive on a delta printer. I’d really like to gather as much info via the community and other internet resources before I build a style of printer which is unreliable and tough to get working.
I really have no need for a dual extruder and am looking at a PLA only machine (I’d like to try a non-heated bed because I think the power savings will be significant).
Delta style printers appeal to me because they seem to have a smaller footprint and a simple belting system. Also, they just look damn cool when printing 
I can tell you why you wouldn’t want a direct drive. It would be too heavy!! A delta print head should be kept as light as possible.