This should have been posted before the last one for some background, better late than never. The printer design that I chose was the Reprap Prusa Mendel. I chose it manly because it was the most affordable option at the time. It was also well documented and widely built. For the electronics I am using RAMPS from UltiMachine, Unless you have alot of time and good soldering skills I would suggest to get the complete kit. It comes with everything you need but motors. The hotend I am using is the J-head MK-IVb. I also have a Heated print bed as well. The plastic parts are a mix of PLA and ABS. The bushings on the Y and Z axis are felt, and the X axis uses the PLA lm8uu form factor bushings by triffid_hunter.
Now all that being said the printer is always changing on an almost weekly basis. I am also in the process of getting ready to build a variation on the printrbot, now called Reprap Wallace. So I will have a build log on that in the coming weeks.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Smooth Rods and Tape
The Reprap Prusa Mendel is a good design, but it does have several problems that I would not go so far as to call flaws, but are troublesome.
The first big problem with the A-frame design. The frame has to be squared and aligned just right or the x-axis can be off in relation to the y and z axis. This can make the prints lopsided and bed leveling almost impossible.
The second big problem has to do with the way the x-ends are mounted. When the x belt gets tightened it pulls the x ends together. Is the smooth rods are not tightened enough the x ends slip, this results in both the z rods binding, and the x belt becoming loose. The new push fit x ends in the v2 Prusa are supposed to help fix this, which they probably do. The problem is that the smooth rod have to be vary close to the right length and can not be longer than what is listed in the wiki. And of course the smooth rods I have are longer, and I do not want to cut them.
The solution that I have rested on is using the modified Aleph Objects Clamp X-ends by jridley (thing:16383). These work better but I still had problems with the x ends slipping. So the solution was to wrap duct tape around the rods to add some grip. So far it is working nicely, hope it lasts.
The first big problem with the A-frame design. The frame has to be squared and aligned just right or the x-axis can be off in relation to the y and z axis. This can make the prints lopsided and bed leveling almost impossible.
The second big problem has to do with the way the x-ends are mounted. When the x belt gets tightened it pulls the x ends together. Is the smooth rods are not tightened enough the x ends slip, this results in both the z rods binding, and the x belt becoming loose. The new push fit x ends in the v2 Prusa are supposed to help fix this, which they probably do. The problem is that the smooth rod have to be vary close to the right length and can not be longer than what is listed in the wiki. And of course the smooth rods I have are longer, and I do not want to cut them.
The solution that I have rested on is using the modified Aleph Objects Clamp X-ends by jridley (thing:16383). These work better but I still had problems with the x ends slipping. So the solution was to wrap duct tape around the rods to add some grip. So far it is working nicely, hope it lasts.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hello World!
This is the first of what will be many posts. First an introduction of myself. I am a geek, that is going for a PhD in History (because it has no math and love it).
Second this blog is going to be a documentation of my adventures in 3d printing, with odds and ends here and there. I hope this will be of some use to someone.
Third and this is in the interest of full disclosure, this will eventually (I hope) evolve into a business. I would like to get to the point where I am making small batch runs of items for local businesses and individuals, that would not be able to afford such things. I am a full believer in small business both local and now online. So this will also be the home for that information as well.
So thanks for the visit and stay tuned for more.
Second this blog is going to be a documentation of my adventures in 3d printing, with odds and ends here and there. I hope this will be of some use to someone.
Third and this is in the interest of full disclosure, this will eventually (I hope) evolve into a business. I would like to get to the point where I am making small batch runs of items for local businesses and individuals, that would not be able to afford such things. I am a full believer in small business both local and now online. So this will also be the home for that information as well.
So thanks for the visit and stay tuned for more.
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