Alex's Awesome 3D printer at Thursday October 4,2012 meeting

[Tim Bolz]

Alex

Thanks for bringing the new 3D printer to the meeting. Could you
post some links for the printer also the links for the software. For
those of you who didn't make it you missed Alex's awesome printer.

Mike I hope you post some of video's you took. Could you post them
so everyone can see Alex's printer awesomeness.

Tim

[Pete Prodoehl]

What is it? What kind? DIY/Homebrew?

Details please! :)

Pete

[Mike Putnam]

http://dhmn.net/2012/10/05/alexs-delta-robot-3d-printer/

Alex: Please add your narrative, here or on the blog post.

Thanks!

Mike

[Alex Hunt]

Thanks for the kind words, Tim.  I don't think I can really call it a printer at this point, but I'm making good progress (I still have to put together the extruder).

The printer is called a 'Rostock', and it's a relatively new variation of a RepRap printer.  You can see a video of one working about halfway down this page:
www.reprap.org/wiki/Rostock

Pete - I haven't taken any video yet, but attached is a picture.  I was able to get the platform moving at our maker meeting last night.

Alex

[Pete Prodoehl]

Ah, nice Rostock... we've got a Milwaukee Makerspace member building one, and Frankie Flood at UWM has built one too...

Pete

[Ross Larson]

Just to make sure I understand, the wiki page says that the Rostock has a printing area of 8x8x16.  That's the size of standard cinder block!  Holy crap!

[Erin Quick-Laughlin]

Giant DHMN legos for kids!

[Tim Bolz]

Alex

Could you post the website which has the parts and plans of the
rostock printer? I saw the website which has rostock as the title
which uses http://openbeamusa.com/Extrusions/ . Or could you write up
where you got your parts?

Thanks
Tim

[Alex Hunt]

Hi Tim,

It's kind of a scavenger hunt right now for the Rostock, but most of the pieces can be found at:
www.reprap.org/wiki/Rostock     (scroll to the bottom)
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:17175

I found the project as I was trying to decide which machine to build.  I had most of the parts on hand from previous 3D printer projects.

I would NOT recommend this design for a beginner.

Alex

[PhysicsStu]

It appears that the design can be use to generate 2D and 3D outputs, as well as inputs.  

   Was there a reason that you picked this design over the other ones that do printing?

   Do you have a list of software that you are going to use to go from design to finished product?

Carl

 

[Alex Hunt]

I liked the fact that the Z axis could be scaled up very easily, the lower component count for the system, that much of the design can be printed, that I had most of the parts on hand, the fact that I can easily create a heated chamber, the print speed is very high, and most importantly - it just looks darn cool printing.

I experiment with lots of software, but the usual route is: OpenSCAD, slic3r, pronterface.

Alex

[PhysicsStu]

Do you have part numbers for the motors you used?

The RoStock web site references NEMA 17 stepper motors which doesn't actually include any useful specifications

The OpenBeam extrusions actually look line modified 80/20  or Rexroth structural frame material. Is there special framing just for 3D printers?

Carl

On Saturday, October 6, 2012 9:50:08 PM UTC-5, Alex Hunt wrote:

[Alex Hunt]

I bought high torque motors designed for CNC work - but they are hard to drive from the RepRap electronics because they like lots of current.  The only motor that really needs a lot of power is the extruder.  Most generic NEMA17 motors will work for the towers.

I would suggest searching for 'NEMA17 Wantai' at eBay.

The OpenBeam extrusions are designed to use standard metric nuts and bolts to connect to the frame.  All other extrusion designs require a special 'T' nut to lock into the groove.  People are using all types - choose the one you like.  I've heard good things about Misumi's (www.misumiusa.com) prices - but bad things about their website's ease of use (a lot of people seem to just call a service rep).

Alex