Large Scale Central

3D printer project

Modeling Technical Modeling
#1

While having lunch about a week ago with a friend, Dave that works at the KU Med (IT dept) where Kristi was, he asked about using my CNC mill to make some PC boards. Between the two of us talking, I sketched up a idea for a machine that could be used for 3D printing and by changing the head and pulling the heatbed off and installing a Dremel, it could be used as a small router. Then after some more thinking, I could also make a 40 watt laser head and a vacuum table to have a laser…
With all I have going with Kristi and in the shop now, and will be going back to work as soon as Kristi is able to be alone, I wouldn’t have time to work on it for a few months. I offered Dave to come up and use the shop and he could build a prototype to see how well this idea will work. Within the next week or two he will be starting on the frame work and will be gathering all the rest of the electronics and materials that will be needed. The prototype will have a table size of about 8" X 16" and 12" high. Then once he (we) get it running and printing as good as we can, the next one will have a table of 12" X 26" for laser and router work and print size of 8" X 24" X 12" high.
These machines will have a mini computer onboard with a display and SD card reader. They will not have to have to be linked to a computer in anyway to run. Once all the software is downloaded and it is configured and calibrated (this might have to be changed between doing the different heads), it’ll run on G-code off off of the SD card.

I’ll keep this updated as it progresses.

Rodney

#2

Well it will be interesting to watch this thread by all means.

Chuck

#3

My idea to make a machine that would print, use as a router and use as a laser cutter wouldn’t work cause of too many different things would be needed to change the machine over every time. It is cheaper in the long run to have a dedicated machine for each. Dave and I worked on getting each of us a printer up and running first. The build area is about 8 inches square and 6 inches high. Here is some of photos of mine.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img163/2352/dscf3359h.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img38/974/dscf3360c.jpg)

Dave has had his printing for about 2 weeks now and calibrated very well. Here s some of his prints. I took these photos under a magnifying glass. This vase is about 2 inches across and .028 thick. It is printed in natural PLA.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img600/2549/dscf3357.jpg)

(http://imageshack.us/a/img163/6196/dscf3356xl.jpg)

Once I learn more about printing on this machine, I have plans to build a printer that will have a build area of 8 inches by 28 inches by 10 inches tall with 2 extruders. I want to try to print car sides, bottoms and roofs and then cast them in resin. Rodney

#4

Hey Rodney,

What are you using for your printer head? Did you guys make it or buy it as a kit? I would be interested in seeing a sample of how it works. I’ve started the construction of my new 4’x 4’ CNC router and the plans are to mount a printer head to the side of the Z axis by the router head so that I can use both on the same machine. To bad I don’t live closer, I’d love to spend a couple day in your shop.

First phase on my machine is to weld up the base frame with my new MIG welder. The fun begins next week.

Chuck

#5

Chuck
I bought one of these right after the kickstarter project was finished.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qu-bd/open-source-universal-3d-printer-extruder-dual-ext
By the time I got mine (425 had been shipped before mine) there was a some problems with them and so I built the hotend and
bought a wades printed extruder off of e-bay and used the qu-bd motor on it. Dave bought his as a complete unit from makerbot
http://store.makerbot.com/stepstruder-mk7-complete.html
If I were to do it all over again, I’d buy a complete unit like Dave’s. Dave and I are going to work more on mine tomorrow night and I hope to get something printed.

#6

Something came up and we were not able to meet and going to try again Thursday. One of my threaded rods on the Z axis was bent so I did changed the 1/4-20 threaded rod to 3/8-12 acme rod. Today I’m going to work more on getting it calibrated. It is very close with the setting that were provided but I want it as perfect as I can.

#7

The printer is now up and running. I’m still dialing it in to so I can get high resolution prints. It is a lot of trial and error. I’m working on getting the X,Y and Z axis zeroed in so when it is suppose to print 25mm so it will be almost exactly that. The QU-BU extruder has some problems so untill I get the new parts for it, I’m using a Greg’s style for now. It is printing OK for now.

#8

Be nice if you could move this over to the new forum Bob.

#9

Thanks Bob!