It took me one full day to assemble the prusa i3. I had some trouble with the couplers and the new belt capture method on the x-carriage. The i3 is a dream to assemble and maintain since everything is much more accessible than the prusa mendle v2. All the parts were printed on the prusa v2. The frame was laser cut by a local manufacturer Bylaser here in Queensland, Australia. Happy to answer any questions.
Pam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH_VSfxCC9g
The i3 is nice, though after doing my own modifications to the i2 I’ll probably go with a different route and design a new printer.
@Pamela_Hauff1 Nice work! That y-bed looks modified compared to the original version?
@Stephanie_A What about that t-slot i3 you were working on?
I haven’t had time to do further development on the t-slot i3 . it’s close to completion, really just code and aesthetic changes left. That, and print it out to see what works and what to change. But since my printer caught fire, I haven’t had the time or money to fix it.
Yes the y bed is from open3dengineering version of the i3. The real problem I have is with the x axis it moves. There should be three rails or a guide rail to stabilize it.
Thanks Pam.
I’m actually taken aback by their decision to use T5/XL belting. And laser cutting the aluminum, why in the world didn’t they take the back Y motor bracket and laser cut it?
availability maybe. and that motor bracket looks printed to me…
Yes I am having trouble sourcing suitable belts. This one is from the older v2 prusa I had.
Ooohhh, the belts weren’t part of a kit. I can fully understand having to salvage stuff from an older printer. I wonder if anyone has done spectra on an i3 yet…
Great job Pam! What was the total cost of parts?
Nuts and Bolts $60AU Frame $31.50AU Plastic $15AU approx…belts, motors, smooth rods, bearings and computer sourced from the version2 prusa.
I upgraded the version 2 to an i3 basically.
I like the Y carriage. Haven’t seen that version before, but 3-point is definitely the way to go.
I don’t quite understand what you’re saying about the X axis @Pamela_Hauff1
I have access to mills, routers, etc. via my university. I’m very excited to build a reprap. What model would you recommend for a beginner?
Jonathan, the x-axis has a little twisting motion in it.
The i3 is the best and easiest to service by far, Justin, I would recommend it.
Ah, I getcha. is it the play between the bearings and the rods? I’ve not gotten that far in my build. I expected the problem would be countered by the weight of the extruder. the i1/i2 has the same problem, though it’s less noticeable.
John, how much do you want for the i2? I’m very interested in 3D printing and I’m looking to get my first model.
build your own, get an i3 - you’ll learn far more that way. you’ll learn even more if you source all your bits individually.
I would really recommend getting a heated bed though. even if you’re just printing PLA. makes it soooo much easier. (with a heated bed, you can print straight onto clean glass, no tape required)