Reprap open source 3D printer

[NanoDuke]

Yeah all kits should allow you to use longer rails, just the beauty of the standard kits is that it comes with all the mounting hardware suitable for it's size. Obviously you'd need to make your own chassis to support the longer rails, and hope that they don't bow under the longer span.

The rest just comes to the software, and making note of where the new travel limits are.

[sn1pr]

I've got this as a side project. But i'm not excited about dealing with a lot of threads and washers so i'm in the process of redesigning it so the entire structure can be printed and be more like lego. And should make it cheaper.

[paulvk]

Lego Reprap.
Now thats an idea!

[sn1pr]

On top of the fact that its open source, and designed to be home assembled whilst being within a reasonable price <$1000, the ultimate goal of reprap is for a self replicating machine.

Print the struts, motors, electronics etc, so someone else can then build and start the process all over again. That's an idea!

[SCwerTA]

Thought I'd share something I made just then. Went from idea to model to product in less than half an hour.

I was sick of my USB hub falling behind my desk, so I thought I'd make a clip that attached the cable to the desk. A few measurements of the thickness of my desk and five minutes later a model in Sketchup.

Click to view full size!

Then export the model to an stl file, and then to gcode. Then print!

Click to view full size!

I realized halfway through I had forgotten to tighten the X-axis pulley, so the print looks pretty dodgy as its made small shifts in the x direction. Doesn't bother me as it doesn't affect its function.

So here it is, the clip fits very snug against my desk. No more fishing it out again hopefully!

Click to view full size!

[Odje]

Originally Posted by SCwerTA

<snip>

I don't mean or intend to rain on your day, I applaud your problem solving skills. This solution is easier, simpler, cheaper and quicker for anyone else having the same problem:
http://internwhisperer.com/604/life-...ps-cables-win/

[SCwerTA]

Originally Posted by Odje

I don't mean or intend to rain on your day, I applaud your problem solving skills. This solution is easier, simpler, cheaper and quicker for anyone else having the same problem:
http://internwhisperer.com/604/life-...ps-cables-win/

Awww, but where's the fun in that?

Version 2

Click to view full size!

[Goth]

I used to think MakerBots were pretty cool, but after seeing a Mendel in action in person I have realised that the MakerBot is absolutely crap by comparison.

[Odje]

Originally Posted by SCwerTA

Awww, but where's the fun in that?
Version 2

Now your thinking. I would be more impressed if you solved a problem that had not been solved before or came up with a better solution to an existing problem.

I am still impressed that you have built a working 3D printer. I would love to make one myself, but I am not sure how much I would use it to make actual things that can be used in my life. I can't see myself printing that many useful items to warrant it.

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by Odje

I am still impressed that you have built a working 3D printer. I would love to make one myself, but I am not sure how much I would use it to make actual things that can be used in my life. I can't see myself printing that many useful items to warrant it.

I think it's one of those things that becomes more useful the more you use it.

Example: I've got a 1.8" SSD. These don't have mounting holes (just rail-like things on the sides). You can get adaptors from eBay that mount them in a 2.5" drive bay, but they (a) cost quite a lot, (b) have to come from China, and (c) basically just sandwich the SSD between two slabs of foam, which isn't ideal.

I did a quick model that adapts the SSD to a 3.5" drive bay, and also holds the required plug converter to avoid putting any stress on the SSD's own SATA connector. That way, if something pulls on the cables I break a $2 SATA plug adaptor rather than a $100 SSD.

Printing that took a couple of hours (would have been less if I had spread it out and glued the bits together, but I was lazy). It wasn't quite right the first time because I failed to set a dimension on one of the sections, but that was easy to file down.



Another example: I bought a little ARM-based development board (link). It's great, but having all the bare wires exposed is annoying and of course it doesn't fit into any standard case. Now I've printed a handy little case for it in two pieces that just clip together, with enough space under the main PCB to fit a second PCB that connects to the expansion header.


Basically, it gives you the freedom to design and build things very quickly and very easily. Once you've used it a few times, you start applying the "if all you've got is a hammer, everything looks like a nail" sort of thing - except that all you've got is a 3D printer.

[ppantel]

I would like to accomplish the oposite. i want a 3d scanner!

[TERRA Operative]

Hook the two together, forget pirating music, pirate real objects instead!!

[Big Trev]

I just want one of these. Don't have a use for it yet, but I want one...

I have to admit that while the cost is not insurmountable, I'm worried about the time-vortex that it looks like there is involved. They seem to have a steep learning curve.

[TERRA Operative]

I'm pretty much set on a Mendel Prusa kit when I get back from Japan in the new year.

The print area is a little smaller than I would like, but I can break objects into parts for printing, so it's not so bad.

[Odje]

Originally Posted by SLATYE

I think it's one of those things that becomes more useful the more you use it.....

You make a good point with valid examples. Next problem is the time sink that this would become, but design and making things is my hobby.