C*H*U*D's 3D Printer

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by nigels_world

You currently have your own mill, right? What do you plan on printing?

I do. I can also use our Stratasys printer at work, but I thought it would be fun to see if I can get this to function. I'm more interested in building it, than I am with the parts I can make.

[wings_of_fire]

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

Very well thought of.
You made it simple yet effective

[monkeyracer]

Interested to see how this turns out. I love my 3D printer, and originally thought about making one like this, but after seeing a friend of mine that is STILL adjusting things to get a single reliable print, I ended up ordering a ready to go printer (MB Rep Dual). As you said though, you are more interested in the build process rather than the after-results.

Looks like you are off to a good solid start. I'll be watching...

[C*H*U*D]

These are the stepper motors that I'll be using. We had a bunch at work.

Cost: Free



We also had these lead screws, so I'm using them instead of belts and pulleys. I also machined up the mounts for them from the white Delrin we had.

Cost: Free



Here it is mounted to the top:

[BigSki]

What's this 'Five Finger Death Punch' you mentioned??

[Charlie-III]

Originally Posted by BigSki

What's this 'Five Finger Death Punch' you mentioned??

Musical band.....Five Finger Death Punch

[SINister]

I was real interested in a home 3d printer for awhile but never could find anyone making parts that justify the time and expense. The idea is great but even the guys selling the kits were just making cups and yoda heads.

[monkeyracer]

Originally Posted by SINister

I was real interested in a home 3d printer for awhile but never could find anyone making parts that justify the time and expense. The idea is great but even the guys selling the kits were just making cups and yoda heads.

I think there's a key link missing here; someone with CAD skills that has a 3D printer that wants to make parts for the vehicles we drive...

[C*H*U*D]

Some shots of the Y-Axis mounts. Made from the 1" White Delrin I had.

Cost: Free



Installed:



The back side gets a 1/4" bearing:



The front gets one of the Stepper motors I had:



The leadscrew was one I had at work. My boss said I could use it for this project.

Cost: Free



So far the cat still approves:

[Duuuuuuuude]

So when will it be printing beer?

[wings_of_fire]

did you machine the nut our is it a standard item that came with the lead screw?

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

So when will it be printing beer?

If I could figure that out, I wouldn't be messing with toy trucks

Originally Posted by wings_of_fire

did you machine the nut our is it a standard item that came with the lead screw?

Stock leadscrews come with a large diameter nut that can be machined to however you need it. This one was machined to fit our design. It has since changed so this leadscrew was put on the shelf with others.

I was planning on making a mount to work with the nut that's on there, but my boss said I could have this one which I will machine to be a bit easier to work with. I plan on doing that this week:

[wings_of_fire]

Thats a nice boss you have there...
Or I might also think you are the gem there, that he thinks he would not like to leave..

[BigSki]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

So when will it be printing beer?

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

If I could figure that out, I wouldn't be messing with toy trucks

That falls under 'virtual components' in the BOM.

[EeePee]

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

If I could figure that out, I wouldn't be messing with toy trucks

Hurry the hell up!

[mtdriver]

Looking good. Has me interested. Will be following as I can make everything for free as you have so far, except for the motors.

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by mtdriver

Looking good. Has me interested. Will be following as I can make everything for free as you have so far, except for the motors.

Inexpensive Nema 17's is what most printers use, and I've seen lots of 5 on Ebay go for about $40.

You can get an inexpensive cat at your local shelter, and I'm not totally convinced she's even necessary.

[KJ10]

I've got a near carbon-copy of that cat. If it weren't for my son's attachment to it, I'd even pay for shipping... just to help someone with their build.

[1tonscout]

You could have saved a ton of money and got a copy cat. Here's one that prints 1 dimensional. You may need 3 copy cats for each axis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=zWisZKWRUOY

Wont let me embed properly?

[Crawling Calvin]

You inspired me to work on my little laser cutter for side projects!

What is your linear bearing material/bearing like a reamed Delrin block? Its always fun to see your builds man and keep up the good work. If kitty doesn't work out a guinea pig makes a handy pal