SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2019-11-23T23:29:06Z

I'm interested if someone is still willing to make a set.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2015-01-17T03:45:31Z

I might be interested. Depending on price.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2015-01-16T04:00:36Z

This still a desire? I just got a new machine and just did a search to see if anyone has done this yet.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2015-01-05T09:57:58Z

You guys can add me to the list of group buy.
Though I see no requirement for it for faster prints it does look cool.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-25T04:14:33Z

I converted the drawing to PDF for those who do not have a drawing program
easier to print and view.
Tin

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-24T16:18:55Z

My guy will be a lot cheaper than emachineshop. I'd imagine those 3 pieces from thingiverse would be around $15 each.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-24T15:17:08Z

There is a company here in NJ called emachineshop. http://www.emachineshop.com/?gclid=CJzq … 7AoduloAjQ

They have a free cad program you can download.
so you design the part(s) select options and summit the info for a price quote. IIRC the parts for the lyman extuder were soured and specified through this site.
They have tutorials to help in the design process.
The density of Aluminum is 2.7 g/cm^3 roughly 3 times that of pla.
Tin

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-24T12:29:30Z

fxdata wrote:

Found on Thingiverse the designer of the aluminum carriages. ichibey. This is a address for them http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:121217 . He has the dxf drawing on the site, not sure if this will help.

Great find! Looks like I need to go no further...don't really have much more time before the Holidays anyway

I do agree that while this is a cool mod, there are other things like fishing line, etc. that will help with the backlash at higher speeds...and the aluminum will contribute to greater mass being slung around...

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-24T05:29:48Z

These alum. parts look good, you can redesign them to make better,
But if you only change the carriages, it doesn't reduce backlash enough,
More important mod are the direct drive on 6mm rear rod, a driving shaft
for Y carriage, and use GT2 pulleys and belts.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-24T03:12:51Z

Found on Thingiverse the designer of the aluminum carriages. ichibey. This is a address for them http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:121217 . He has the dxf drawing on the site, not sure if this will help.

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-24T01:14:33Z

I certainly don't think it's a substitute for line. My interest is mainly now in how cheap we can actually get these machined. If they are reasonably priced I'd love to own/see some so I can have ideas for what I can get machined in the future.

If anything, I'm slightly concerned about the additional mass being slung around, especially at high speeds. . .

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-23T22:03:29Z

I like the simplicity of the Y-rod carriages. I think the X-carriage is limited in the area of mounting/extruder options. I would imagine printed adapters would work though.
Here's the thing about all of this (an effort I support) I think we tend to get all excited over the whole "Speed" thing.
I have watched that video over and over, I am not convinced I can't already print that fast. Of course I don't know what the actual numbers are so I have to just try and judge it. What I see is the Y-belts flopping during direction changes and no matter how solid we make the carriages backlash is still backlash. And although with a print of that nature it is difficult to see any ill affects from the backlash, it must be there. So was the extrusion rate manipulated to cover some of that up?

I guess what I am getting at is for those of you that have not yet upgraded to the fishing line, wouldn't that be a much cheaper and effective upgrade? I have been swamped with year end stuff at work but when I get time I am going to print that (fast) and post up a video. I think you will be amazed at how rigid everything is.
So for as much as I like this idea I really enjoy being able to design and redesign the carriages based on my needs. Lets face it things change a lot in the world of 3d printing (Think the next Bulldog or E3d).

So for now keep up the good work and let me know if there is anything I can help with

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-23T21:49:33Z

My initial thought is to clean up the empty space in the middle of each carriage piece. If nothing else, perhaps just a thin wall in between the two sections. In fact, it could go over the top of the empty space and you could put the belt attachments there, sort of like is done in the lawsy carriage. Will the space between the bearings here be an issue at all? Can't imagine why it would, I'm just brainstorming

For compatibility, I think the bottom of the center carriage piece should mimic the mounting holes of the lawsy carriage, simply because there are a lot of things utilizing that spacing.

Nice work IronMan!

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-23T21:40:22Z

OK...here is a start:

Linear Bearings not shown...chose to go with the clamping action on the gantry sides per elmoret's suggestion; then use a half-clamp for the carriage. Need to pop on a front plate for the stepper motor and hotend mount...

3D PDF attached.

Feedback?

Re: Would aluminum carriages be worth it?

2014-12-23T16:00:39Z

Thanks! I'll try to work something up by tomorrow...