Topic: Precision 3D Printer ... from scratch
At the last Bay Area Maker Faire, I picked up another 3D Printer, the PrintrBot Simple. This miniature printer was conceived as an exercise in simplicity, so like many others, I started modding it... and modding it... and modding it, until it got out of hand.
So for the past month or so I've been spending more time making mods, than actually using the printer At the same time, I realized that I've been bit by the modding bug, because I'm now thinking about building my own printer from scratch.
I recently ordered a ball screw for my Solidoodle, even though it's currently working pretty well with the well nut I installed on it, but I had the opportunity to buy some inexpensive ball screws so I got this idea in my head about making a precision printer which uses ball screws for all the axis, and is made from primarily aluminum and steel. rather than plywood or plastic.
Besides the 12mm x 350mm balls screw I got for the Solidoodle, I also ordered 3 miniature ballscrews: 10mm dia. x 5mm pitch x 377mm long. The threaded length of the screw is 305mm, and that should give me about 250mm worth of usable travel, which is just under 10". So a 10" x 10" x 10" build platform is what I'm shooting for. While I'm waiting for my ball screws, I started conceptualizing the motion control.
Like the Solidoodle, the head will move in the X and Y axis, and the build platform will be moving in the Z axis. Most of the construction bearing and motion blocks will be machined aluminum, and the rest of the hardware (linear bearings, rods, screws, etc) will be steel, of course.
For electronics, I think I'll be using the Printrboard rather than the Sanguinololu. I prefer it because it has certain features that the Sanguino board doesn't have in its standard configuration (LCD control panel support, built-in SD card).
The frame will be off the shelf structural extruded aluminum, easily available at home improvement/hardware stores
So here is a drawing of work in progress the motion control platform.
So what do you guys think ?
SD3 printer w/too many mods, Printrbot Simple Maker Ed., FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.