the 3d printers update

[J C]

The story so far:

we currently have 3 3d printers.

One is kindly on loan from Andy. It generally works well though I think it has a loose/ temperamental connection for the extruder motor which needs looking at.

We were recently donated a reprap wilson. Its not great but generally works ok.

The mendel max is the original hackspace printer. Its needed some tlc for a while now and ive been printing off a few new upgrade over the last couple of weeks. Today Stanto and I sat down and worked on improving it.

What did we do?

Fitted a new Y endstop (not held on by tape, yay!)

Fitted a new Y motor mount (now also not held on by tape)

Fitted a new Z endstop so its now easier to get to and adjust.

Fixed the Y idler

Replaced the extruder thermistor that had been acting up

replaced the battered extruder nozzle

Generally cleaned up the extruder

Updated the firmware

Generally tightened up loose machine screws

Still to do:

Properly calibrate the printer – Its been fiddled with and moved repeatedly after all.

We want to upgrade most of the Z axis parts to something a little beefier ad hopefully reduce wobble.

Print and fit a new mount for the X endstop

Print and install a new extruder so we can start printing flexible filaments.

Print and install a second extruder so we can have dual extrusion.

Print all the things!

Want to help?

If you want to get involved then just let me know- here or in person.

If you have a 3d printer working well at the moment and would like to print off some parts for us then that would be most welcome

The better X/Z parts http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:164054

new extruder http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:147133

new carriage for the new extruders http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:156389

Joe

[Ian Oliver]

On 2017-04-14 22:44, J C wrote:

The better X/Z parts http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:164054

new extruder http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:147133

new carriage for the new extruders http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:156389

I'm happy to print any of these. Which do you want first? The X/Z parts? I can print in PLA, PETG or ABS, but PLA is probably best for these for dimensional accuracy . Any particular colour? I have a lot of light blue and can print all these bits over the next week if you like.

I also have some M3 rivnuts that I've pressed into parts with a soldering iron, which *may* fit those 0.2" imperial holes. Top tip is to fit an M3 grub screw at the bottom of the thread to keep stray plastic out and then remove it while everything is still warm.

Ian

[J C]

Hi Ian that would be fantastic thanks. PLA would be good and if you have parts that will help convert it to a more sensible metric use even better. Colour wise currently we have a black and white scheme going on but blue is absolutely fine :)

Thank you. 

Joe

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[Ian Oliver]

On 2017-04-15 07:46, Ian Oliver wrote:
>
> I'm happy to print any of these. Which do you want first? The X/Z parts?

Being impetuous, I've started spring5_b of the Lulzbot TAZ Style X Ends
in Sky Blue PLA. :-)

Ian

[J C]

Awesome :)

[Ian Oliver]

Hmmm, can you work out how many of each part is needed from Lulzbot TAZ Style X Ends?

The "group shot" shows eight pieces. I *think* it's -

2x spring5_b
2x backplate3_a
2x lowerx_a
1x xmotor_3_a
1x xidler_4_b

My Reprap style has two Z motors but I guess this uses just one?

Ian

[J C]

Seems strange to just have one motor on the z. Cant imagine that working very well. His motor mounts for the z are black so o assume origional parts with 2 motors. You suggested parts list looks right. I think. 

[Ian Oliver]

On 2017-04-15 09:30, J C wrote:
> Seems strange to just have one motor on the z. Cant imagine that
> working very well. His motor mounts for the z are black so o assume
> origional parts with 2 motors. You suggested parts list looks right. I
> think.

Ah, got it, hadn't had enough coffee, It's one *X* motor, so motor on
one side and idler on the other, so my list was right despite serious
brain fade.

Ian

[J C]

Dont worry im still struggling today too. 

[Ian Oliver]

On 2017-04-15 07:56, J C wrote:
> if you have parts that will help convert it to a more sensible metric
> use even better. Colour wise currently we have a black and white
> scheme going on but blue is absolutely fine :)
>
> Thank you.
>
> Joe
>

M3 rivnuts are too small diameter wise (they need a 4.5mm hole) and also
slightly too long. The holes in the spring measure at 5.2mm in diameter
and 7mm deep. Some M4 rivnuts might fit but would probably need the ends
trimming off. Or M3 ones could be trimmed and glued. :-)

BTW, that spring is a symphony in supports. After taking it off the bed,
you then need to attack it with exacto knife, pliers, and drills for 20
minutes after which your 38g print weighs 25g as the rest is on the bench!

Ian

[J C]

Thats fine. Its what we have a workshop for 

[Ian Oliver]

> If you have a 3d printer working well at the moment and would like to print off some parts for us then that would be most welcome

As long as it keeps printing OK, I should have everything done by tomorrow (Monday) AM and I can drop the parts off at hackspace.

If you're around at any point, you can maybe cast an eye over the prints and check everything is OK. It's not my best printing ever and retraction is proving tricky to tune with this filament. The X ends also need a lot of support all over, mostly due to bad design TBH!

I'm happy to reprint anything that's sub par but I think issues are cosmetic.

Ian

[J C]

Hi Oliver thats great thanks. Tomorrow is my designated lazy day but can happily pop into the space and meet you at any point. 

[Ian Oliver]

On 2017-04-16 10:48, J C wrote:
> Hi Oliver thats great thanks. Tomorrow is my designated lazy day but
> can happily pop into the space and meet you at any point.

We were going to drift down to the Chinese supermarket for 11am and if
you're there at the Hackspace then great, otherwise I'll drop everything
off in a marked PrimaValue filament box.

I'll be interested to know how this extruder performs as it might be a
good option if/when turning my (nascent) CNC machine into a large format
(900x600x100) 3D printer.

Ian

[J C]

Yeah ill try to be there for 11. May be a short while before the new extruder is added but will let you know when it is. Thank you again.

Joe

[J C]

Right Ian, have had a look and liking how it all fits together, thanks again for the prints. For the spring sections you were telling me about the special nuts you melt into the holes, Were do you source them from or are there alternative that you can suggest. Farnell sells them but not cheaply. Thanks

Joe  

[Aidan Dunbar]

Joe - I used something like this for the front door keypad:

[Aidan Dunbar]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25-50-100pcs-M2-M2-5-M3-Solid-Brass-Round-Threaded-Knurl-Insert-Embedded-Nut/152092441996?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D2220072%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40656%26meid%3D5ed4cbbace9d425687dc3d5993cdf2a2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D361432677539

[J C]

Thanks Aiden, similar to what I found on ali express too. They are not essential to the printer working so we can wait if we have to. unless you have a dozen spare?

Joe 

[Aidan Dunbar]

I think I have 3 M4 ones around somewhere, definitely not 12 M3!

A

On 21 April 2017 at 12:50, J C <jap...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks Aiden, similar to what I found on ali express too. They are not essential to the printer working so we can wait if we have to. unless you have a dozen spare?

Joe 

[J C]

Thats a shame. Though did seem too much to hope for. 

[Ian Oliver]

On 2017-04-21 10:54, J C wrote:
> For the spring sections you were telling me about the special nuts you
> melt into the holes, Were do you source them from or are there
> alternative that you can suggest. Farnell sells them but not cheaply.
> Thanks

I used rivnuts, but they aren't really designed for this job. The ones
from Aidan look better.

These might work but may need the ends trimming off, or maybe the
flanges removing to avoid having to drill countersink holes in the springs?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M4-x-10pcs-Threaded-Inserts-for-3D-Printed-Parts-Flanged-UK-Made-/201391850739?hash=item2ee3e3c4f3:g:0BYAAOSw9N1VrPxc

Ian