I started building a Prusa i3 last weekend. This is the printer that my students are building (thus the DCRL engraving). It's a very cool design with minimal printed parts. It breaks apart easily to become mobile. I was able to stuff it in my messenger bag and take it to work on the motorcycle the other day. I decided to go with an acrylic frame in place of wood or aluminum. I just got our laser cutter installed at the DCRL so the students should be able to cut their frame with it. I will be making an aluminum y axis carriage to replace the acrylic one I cut. I also decided to use the y axis bearing mount/carriage mount from the mendel 90. I think this should make a pretty cool printer. I'm waiting on 5mm rod for the z axis and I'll have to decided on an extruder type.
12 comments:
Sweet looking machine! Did you ever finish the Rostock?
At some point I wouldn't mind building a new model and moving over my Prusa electronics to it, but there seems to be a new design almost monthly!
Hullo! I've been watching with great interest all of the cool things you do here. I found your blog through Shop Teacher Bob... I'm wondering if you could steer me in the right direction. I would *love* to build a 3d printer for use in my classroom, but aside from an AA in Manufacturing Engineering 10 years ago, I haven't the foggiest where to start! I know this is a very open ended question which probably requires a lengthy answer to be accurate, but if you could point me in the general direction I would much appreciate it! I'm pretty good at figuring things out once I get going. Thanks!
Thanks Pete!
I didn't finish the rostock because the axis bearing mounts were twisting a lot causing it to be really unstable out at the edges of a print. I just saw that I was going to need to redesign things a bit in order to get it to print well. I haven't abandoned it yet as I think it has a lot of potential, but I've just been too busy with school to work on things.
Let me know if you need any info on the i3 and I'll pass along the files that I have.
Hey Dorkpunch. Send me your email address and I'll send you some links and info.
Hello Frankie,
I love the clean look of the acrylic. If you do not mind my asking, is that half inch?
What do you think of the stability so far?
I'm looking to get some quotes for laser cutting on the same thing and I know quarter inch will not cut it.
Hi Frank,
Love the clean look of the acrylic and looking to do the same thing.
What is your material thickness if you do not mind my asking? Half? three quarters?
I looking to submit some quotes on lasercut.
What do you think of the stability so far?
The acrylic is 1/2". The stability seems good and I haven't connected the brace yet so I think it will be good. I'll keep you posted and I'll try to post video soon.
Thanks for doing this! Since it seems like you have built a prusa i3, mendel max, mendel90, and prusa mendel would you mind comparing and contrasting them? I have a prusa v1 now but I was looking at switching to something a little sturdier.
Thanks!
Stephen,
I have been so pleased with my Prusa 2.0, but you are right that is is lacking a bit in sturdiness, but the bearings are the real issue as I use printed pla bushings for the axes. I have been pleased with the igus bushings that I am using on the MendelMax. It is very study and you can stand on it without damaging it. The mendel 90 is sturdy as well and is well braced. I don't have my i3 fully completed yet, so I can't comment there yet in terms of rigidity. The bearings and acme z axis lead screws are the real upgrades that I think makes a real difference along with pulleys for the belts. There are more and more printers coming out that are worth looking at. The new MendelMax will prove to be very good along with the new Lulzbot printer shown on Thingiverse. Email me directly if you have further questions and I'll do my best to help out.
Hi may I ask was the frame a derivative from the wiki dxf and what are the hole spacing for the bearing holders on the y carriage
Hi what are the hole spacing on the bearing holders on the y plate
Hi Chris,
I put info on the Prusa further up on my page. The Prusa shown here is an early design. It has changed a little, but it's close to this one.
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