3D Printing

[Xanduin]

Hi All,

Since this topic is mostly what I think about I thought I would share in case someone already has a 3D printer or plan to build/get one. Stuff you can make using a 3D printer is anything plastic and small for now.







There is even a community that creates and shares designs for people to print. You can even share your own designs as it is all open source.

http://www.thingiverse.com

3D printers are expensive so how does a normal guy get the manufacturing capabilities at home?

Through the RepRap Project!

http://reprap.org

The RapRap project is an open source project to build low cost printers (less than R20k) with other printers to allow manufacturing from home. This method allows you to spread the technology to your friends by printing them most of the components or upgrades for your own printer. All you need to get is the motors, electronics and hardware (bolts, rods, nuts, belts, etc.). The most common extruding printers prints with ABS plastic which gets just as hard as normal plastic products.





They started with a basic designs (seen above) and started making more and more of the design with printed parts.

Prusa Mendel


The Prusa Mendel is the model I was trying to build but found all the motors and components gets to expensive as it is so many components. A new type of printer design came out from a Kickstarter project called the Printrbot. It has way less parts and you can extend the printing area by just increasing the belt or rod length. The current models are 6"x6"x6" and the new version is 8"x8"x8".

The Printrbot cost is also half that of any other printer.

Ultimaker: €1,194.00 https://shop.ultimaker.com/en/ultimaker-kits.html
Cube: $1,299.00 http://cubify.com/cube/index.aspx
MakerBot Replicator: $1,749.00 http://store.makerbot.com/
LulzBot Prusa Mendel 2.0: $950.00 http://www.lulzbot.com/en/
Printrbot: $549.00 http://printrbot.com/


I found that since I have to source the parts and I cannot find a friend or cheap way of getting the printed parts the best solution is to just get a kit. Unfortunately the printrbot developers had to much interest in their printer and is out of stock for now. I will wait until they have again or if I can find someone that can print me the printed parts so I can make it myself. Got a quote from RS-electronics to get similar stepper motors.

If you want to build your own see links below:

Source
http://reprap.org/wiki/Printrbot

Bill Of Materials
http://kitbom.com/kitbom/printrbot

Printed Parts List
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16990

Picture Guide
http://www.flickr.com/photos/printrbot/ ... 821699187/

Video Guide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swI8Mer_yw

So if your excited and interested; respond with your own plan to get your own printer.

See all you furry creations printed soon

[Splicer-Fox]

I would like to use one.

I have seen a few furries print characters for themselves.
But not with their own 3d printers.

I have only seen one up-close and working at the media show in the dome a few years ago.
But it prints uses solidified foam which forms the models... "very fragile".


Very expensive stuff
But at least there are people in SA that will do it for you.

I don't even have a 3D model to print.
But i think I would rather commission an expert to make one for me.


http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4489596/

[terror]

This is cool, and since I am in the printer maintenance industry I could really get into something like this.
Also having access to a fully kitted workshop and lathe means been able to make up components needed until the ability to 'print' them comes along

[Xanduin]

Just a update on my progress from late last year when I started my Prusa i3 Kit. Got as far as the electronics but having a blast and taking it slow.
When it is working it will be controlled with OctoPrint on a Raspberry Pi and remotely view-able with a webcam.

The kit I got from AliExpress but it was a retailer selling from their main site which you can find on the below link.
http://www.rp3d.com/

Some shots of the building process.



With the first start up and AC/DC swapping I blew the first Melzi electronics. With the next electronics ,which were ramps 1.4, I then smoked (short present causing smoke from a part).

Melzi Board


Ramps 1.4


At least my LED strips looks awesome :3


Now that I finally got the new Ramps kit Ill be working on getting it working again.
Before wasting the new electronics just doing some tests with the old Ramps set
Saw I had the wires the wrong way of the motors; red, blue, green, black but another Youtube video has it the other way around so it is confusing. I'll stick with the diagram.





Also never configured Marlin correctly. Previously just got Marlin and uploaded without configuring as the below link indicates you should.
http://replicatorwarehouse.com/get-star ... -prusa-i3/

Only took 3 sets of electronics to get it right.



Lets hops later today it is working

[Xanduin]

Great I forgot my Octoprint's password. Will have to re-install Octoprint.

[Xanduin]

With the old ramps 1.4 set I tested with correct wiring according to the diagram and configured marlin firmware and no shorts or smoke had been detected.

So I can probably go on and put the new electronics kit on...or just go to a friend to help me make sure I am not making a mistake.Since it takes months for the electronics to get here cheaply I'll just wait a week or two to get it up and running.

The Arduino Mega 2560 seems fine as the LED is on and I can copy firmware on. I think the only hardware that had shorted out was the motor controls or the Ramp 1.4 Controller Board.

Getting the board locally cost the same as an entire kit from aliExpress

http://www.3dprintingstore.co.za/electronics/
http://www.3dprintingstore.co.za/electr ... ler-board/
vs
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-Meg ... 8.html?s=p

[Adagio]

I'm thinking of getting one...
But I prefer buying one, not building it...

I'm thinking of getting the M3D Micro 3D Printer.
Pro's
~Small
~Relatively Cheap
~Comes with bundled software

Con's
~Small Print Size(95mm^2)

[Rakuen Growlithe]

Con's
~Small Print Size(95mm^2)

If it's a 3D printer shouldn't it be cubic millimetres?

[Xanduin]

The Da Vinci series is small and cost effective and has a print volume of 20x20x20



I almost feel I should have gotten that but I am enjoying tinkering with the kit to get it right.
My first print was kinda a failure but now I know bed leveling should be done now and then.
Was fiddling all weekend with extruder speeds.

[Adagio]

Con's
~Small Print Size(95mm^2)

If it's a 3D printer shouldn't it be cubic millimetres?

Base Print Area: 109mm x 113mm
Print Area Above 74mm: 91mm x 84mm

Probably.... I'm not really sure actually...

The Da Vinci series is small and cost effective and has a print volume of 20x20x20



I almost feel I should have gotten that but I am enjoying tinkering with the kit to get it right.
My first print was kinda a failure but now I know bed leveling should be done now and then.
Was fiddling all weekend with extruder speeds.

Thats another pro of the M3D. It Auto Levels with an internal Accelerometer....

Also. Importing electronics is a pain.... I know that when we inported gunstocks, they charged us between 40~60%% on duty tax.....(the stock itself costed about R1000, shipping another R1000, duty tax, usually between R400~R600 sometimes R800.... So, after duty tax, that printer is going to be expensive as hell....

[Adagio]

I need some advice... I have come into some money... And I want to buy a 3D printer... I found one on DX.com but they seem to be quite sketchy.... I found 2 sties saying "great 85%" and 2 saying "crap 19%" I don't want to pay, and eventually not recieve what I payed for....
REPRAP Model i3 Pursa on DX.com selling for R4513
Is it worth the gambel....?
It's appearently duty tax free.... And shipping is also free... But you do however need to pay VAT @ 14%

Maybe I should look for a local supplier... I heard from a local Electronics store that the go localy for about R5K~?
Any advice?

[Leeward]

I've ordered from DX before and from my experience they're ok.

[KinkInZA]

Try the Zcorp printers if you're into 3d printing but their printers are leashed and not sold if I recall correctly Witts university uses their printers ass well.

[Rakuen Growlithe]

I've ordered from DX before and from my experience they're ok.

In your opinion I shoud go for it then?
I don't know... 90% of the bad ratings are because of "slow deliveries" the other 10% seems to be batteries... Appearently, their shipping doesn't alow LiPo patteries to be shipped...

Try the Zcorp printers if you're into 3d printing but their printers are leashed and not sold if I recall correctly Witts university uses their printers as well.

Dude.... "some money" not... "a crapton of money" hahaha! But thats pretty cool!

[Leeward]

Well if you're going for an AC-capable printer, why worry about batteries?

[KinkInZA]

lolz understands, its still pretty amazing to watch these YouTube vids on what the guys are capable of printing with these printers.

[Adagio]

Well if you're going for an AC-capable printer, why worry about batteries?

Hahaha! Not exactly what I meant...

[Leeward]

Well keep in mind that it's "Made in China" type quality that DX sells, so don't expect too much from the product. As far as reliability goes, delivery time is a little slow but other than that they're not bad at all.

[Adagio]

It's official! I'm getting one!

This one...

[Adagio]

LOOK! I printed something in 3 dimensions!

[KinkInZA]

that looks really good ,now to paint it

[Linea]

That's a pretty good print actually.

I'm in the process of building a deltabot, like the Kossel design but adapted to be much simpler.

[Kangee Gold]

I have mixed feelings about 3D printers as they are now.

On the downside there's already too much overpriced and worthlessly cheaply made plastic shit in the world and 3D printers are only encouraging people to make more.

On the other side though they're one step towards motherfucking Star Trek Replicators.

[Adagio]

Decided on calling her Suzie... She has some serious PMS issues...

My dad has taken a liking to get my to rapid prototype some things for his shop...

[Leeward]

Rifle trigger guard?

[Adagio]

Magnum trigger gaurd... For high powered rifles like the .404...

[Leeward]

Nice. And that material is sturdy enough?

[Adagio]

Haha! No... It costs an arm and a leg to CNC mill the stuff, so we print a plastic prototype to test everything and then go on to make the official version...

Technically... Yes, as a trigger gaurd, it's strong enough... But you wouldn't want that on your gun...

[Leeward]

Because it'll break or because it looks kak?

[Adagio]

Because it'll break or because it looks kak?

Haha! it actually looks pretty good... But, yes... It does look a little kak...
It's strong enough as a trigger guard....