1 Topic by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
  • Posts: 1,429

Topic: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

Had this thought for some of the advanced hackers out there to get another 2 inches in X direction on the SD2.  I started modelling to figure out why it wouldn't work and I don't see a reason.  It's not something I'd ever do because I don't have the ability to put it back together if I broke it, but maybe someone would tackle it and we could increase build envelope on the SD2's.  As a bonus you could fashion plexiglass to the frame with a slot through it for the X axis rods and heat the build environment while keeping the steppers on the outside. 

http://s8.postimage.org/ckb4j3rhh/sd2_plus.jpg
http://s9.postimage.org/z8e81210v/sd2_plus4.jpg

2 Reply by Tomek

  • Tomek
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-01
  • Posts: 710

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

Hmm. Nice. I like this. I don't think I'm in for it [no time during school, between everything else], but it's pretty good.  I especially like this should help cool the x-motor, which is the most overheated one.  Allows for more leeway in heating up the interior of the printer (as you already said). If done right, this could also probably get you another half inch on the Y-axis.

On the bright side, you can already get at least .5 extra in the x direction (almost a full inch, for me), by using bigger glass. 

I appreciate you modeling it, it really helps visualize something that I was thinking about while walking to the bus stop today. Cool!


The one immediate problem is that the x-carriage rods are glued in, but this could be just chipped away on one side, especially since the opposide side of the x-motor has a pretty bad design, anyway.

3 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
  • Posts: 1,429

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

Yeah you'd have to redesign the x carriage printed parts, but there's really not that much to them if you're capable of this kind of mod, you'll be able to come up with a carriage design.  I think if you use one of the mkX head designs you may be able to get more travel, and if you use bowden even more.  It's incremental but like I said I had the idea but I needed to sketch it to visualize it.  The frame in this assembly is the right size but everything else is just scaled by eye

4 Reply by jooshs (edited by jooshs 2013-01-28 15:34:37)

  • jooshs
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Pittsburgh Pa
  • Registered: 2012-08-07
  • Posts: 387

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

The hardest part in doing this would be having the rods aligned perfectly. It is certainly not insurmountable, but I would think you'd need to create some sort of jig to make sure they are completely parallel (talking about the ones in the x axis). I also wonder if the rods would have to be any thicker since they are longer.  The pulley connected to the y motor might be better left inside the case along with the y motor. Since there is a good bit of tension in this belt, it might help counteract the lever affect moving the carriages to the outside would produce.  Also, you would have to move the y end stop. I'm pretty interested in this. You might be on to something here. smile  any chance you would be willing to send a pack and go of your model?

I've always liked the SD frame. I really really wish they would sell the frame and rods for the SD3. I know they don't want to market or appear to be a kit company, but man you could go nuts if you were just given the frame, bed, and rods. Maybe we would be able to help them with ideas for the SD4 with all of our fun ideas!

5 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
  • Filastruder
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 6,048

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

jooshs wrote:

but I would think you'd need to create some sort of jig to make sure they are completely parallel (talking about the ones in the x axis).

One of those rods is constrained in 2-DOF, the other is constrained in 1-DOF. Parallel is not important - they won't jam if not completely parallel.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

6 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
  • Posts: 1,429

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

Yeah I think some tweaking would be necessary of whatever mount you end up using to hold the rods, but you should be able to get it close enough to be within the leveling range of the bed. 

I was thinking of this mostly after seeing the dual extruder that Rondevouz is working on and wondering how much extra travel he could get from not having the stepper assembly moving back and forth.  This takes it to the next level and should allow several extra inches.

7 Reply by jooshs (edited by jooshs 2013-02-02 14:49:16)

  • jooshs
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Pittsburgh Pa
  • Registered: 2012-08-07
  • Posts: 387

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

elmoret wrote:
jooshs wrote:

but I would think you'd need to create some sort of jig to make sure they are completely parallel (talking about the ones in the x axis).

One of those rods is constrained in 2-DOF, the other is constrained in 1-DOF. Parallel is not important - they won't jam if not completely parallel.

I don't understand which one has two DOF.  On the right one of them is on a slider, but on the left they are both completely constrained.

8 Reply by rov.design

  • rov.design
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Earth
  • Registered: 2012-09-03
  • Posts: 14

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

Pointless mod why have all the working on the outside you might as well just build you own printer not worth the effort to change the unit for 2Inch the time involved you can buy another printer

Russell Kjell Coffield EngTech CTech
www.interspec.org

rov.design's Website

9 Reply by Diecrusher

  • Diecrusher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-09-11
  • Posts: 93

Re: Idea for SD2 mod - 2" in X

Placing the workings on the outside is actually a genius idea.  Allows you to have an heated, enclosed environment without having that heat effect your steppers, etc.

Would the mod would be worth it? Who knows. Are any of these mods really worth it?. You can mod a Toyota all you want and you'll never make a Ferrari.  To most I would guess the Solidoodle is just a hobby.