Pentarod 5 Axis 3D Printer

Øyvind Kallevik Grutle developed his own 5 axis 3d printer based on RepRap Ormerod where he added additional A and C axis.

Our community is stuck for too long in standard 3 axis design and we need new multiaxial machines to move forward.

Here is what he writes about his project:

This is the result of my master thesis at the University of Oslo, at department for robotics.

The printer is a modified RepRap Ormerod, with two added axis (A and C).
This master thesis have been a proof of concept, but since it was working I decided to try two hypotheses, is it possible to print without support (what you see in this video) and is it possible to make a smooth finish on a surface which are in another plane than the xy-plane (what you see in the two other videos).

All the g-code for these parts are basically hand written (with the help of java). I have been using spherical coordinate system to compute the paths and therefore all the parts are round.

With the exception of the 5-axis system that moves along the y-axis almost all the parts are from the RepRap Pro Ormerod 1.
The videos are at 40X speed.

Hopefully he will open source the build plans soon.


Pentarod in action:










For a more professional five axis machine see:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2015/06/5axismaker-is-next-generation-of.html

Source and more information:

http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/open-source-5-axis-3d-printer-built-by-master-student-01-07-2015/

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RepRapPro Fisher Delta 3D Printer

RepRapPro launched their new 3D printer and it is a low cost Delta! It is named Fisher Delta and it is priced at £199.00+VAT

Printer description:
The latest 3D printer from RepRapPro. Benefits from simple assembly, auto calibration and very fast motion. We are currently offering these kits as a beta version, for a discounted price. The machine is fully functional, but the design is likely to evolve a little before a full release.

Basic specifications:
– Build volume 150mm diameter, 180mm height
– Nozzle diameter 0.4mm

Mechanics:
– 12.5um resolution in all axes
– Removable print surface
– Spring loaded kinematic locations, 1um repeatable positioning and bed probing
– Direct drive extruder with all metal stainless steel nozzle

Electronics:
– Duet electronics
– 32 bit ARM cortex microprocessor
– Ethernet and USB interface
– On-board microSD storage

Firmware:
– Automatic calibration of print surface and delta parameters
– Smooth realtime motion
– Internal webserver for access via ethernet, with DHCP and netBIOS

Software:
– Machine controlled via web interface
– Prints gcode files provided by Slic3r and other open source slicing software

Delta homepage:

https://reprappro.com/shop/reprap-kits/fisher-delta-full-kit-beta/

Here is Fisher Delta printing:



We are still waiting for third party reviews and tests.

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Evolution of 3d printed robots from Yoshimi to Sells with help of conductive filament

Adrian Bowyer posted interesting overview of how 3d printed robot model developed trough time and how the technology advances.

It starts with Yoshimi, a 3d printed robot developed by Ed Sells made on expensive Stratasys machine (since RepRap didn't exist at the time) and was wired manually trough internal channels filled with Wood's metal.  The process was slow and messy, electric connections were unreliable.

Yoshimi 3d printed robot. Source: RepRapPro

As the technology advances, Adrian updated the robot design which he calls Sells now in honor of Ed. Tho robot can be printed on cheap dual extruder home 3d printer like Ormerod in one go and is internally wired with F-Electric conductive filament.

Sells 3d printed robot. Source RepRapPro.

We are moving in small steps, but we are moving forward! The advancements are obvious in span of few years.

Here is the original post with more details:

https://reprappro.com/2015/02/09/conducting-filament/

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How to upgrade RepRapPro Huxley with "Fanned Up" modifications

Four university students (Aaron, Ananda, Matt & Michael) created an upgrade kit and guide for RepRapPro Huxley model. The upgrade includes: laser cut frame is in 6mm MDF, z axis bracket, fan upgrades and maintenance guide.

They also summarized the maintenance needed for Huxley model:

Daily

• Use acetone based cleaning solution (nail polish remover will work) to wipe the bed, ensure it is not heated.

• Ensure rear fans are clear of cable obstruction.

• When feeding filament ensure it has a pointed end, this will help its feeding into the hot-end and extruder.

• Ensure the y axis linear rods are in place in the supports.

• Ensure that the nut holding the x axis idler is finger tight.

• Run the printer fans for no less than 3 minutes before print to ensure smooth operation.

Weekly

• All the daily checks plus:

• Ensure all the nuts are tight (there are 48 of them).

• Check that all 6 bearings are in place.

Monthly

• All the Daily and Weekly checks plus:

• Cleaning the nozzle: Raise the z axis 50mm from home and the hot-end to 200 through 'Pronterface'. Clean the nozzle of any excess material using a wooden spatula or knife **CAUTION** THIS MUST BE DONE WITH EXTREME CAUTION, the hot-end is at up to 250 degrees C!

• Check belt tension on x and y axis. (refer to assembly instructions)

• Check that all five steppers are firmly attached to the frame/supports.

• Tighten the U brackets connecting the z axis motors to the threaded rods.

• Check end stops for wear.

• Grease linear rods x6 with WD-40 or similar lubricant.

• The electric connectors and screws should be checked for tightness.

• Check bed wires for integrity replace if worn.

Here is Instructables page with all the details:

http://www.instructables.com/id/RRP-Huxley-FU-Fanned-Up-Improvements-to-the-Huxley/?ALLSTEPS

Thingiverse page (not public at the moment):

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:74001

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RepRapPro Ormerod is released!

RepRap Ormerod, cool new 3d printer, is released by RepRapPro. I placed an order, so when I get it I'll make a video review.

RepRap Ormerod video presentation by Adrian Bowyer:



From product description:

The RepRapPro Ormerod is a monochrome 3D printer configured to work with one type of plastic at a time. However, the RepRapPro Ormerod head is fundamentally designed to work with three deposition heads and an upgrade kit will be available soon for this machine.

Specifications:

• Full open-source self-replicating RepRap
• New 32-bit Arduino-compatible Duet electronics enable control via a web-browser
• Wiring loom for simple plug-in connection – no soldering
• IR probing for self-aligned printing – no bed adjustment required
• Build volume: 210x190x140mm 
• Overall size: 500x460x410mm
• Printing materials: ABS, PLA, 1.75mm diameter thermoplastic.
• Build surface: PCB-heated bed to reduce complexity of assembly and to ensure parts do not warp.
• Computer interface: USB
• X-carriage: Three Z-adjustable deposition head mounts; one head supplied.
• Standard nozzle size: 0.5mm
• Accuracy: 0.1mm*
• Resolution: 0.0125mm*
• Building speed: 1,800 mm/min
• Moving speed: 12,000 mm/min
• Deposition rate: 33 cm3 / hr
• Motion: Linear ball bearings on X and Y axes, Igus low friction bushings on Z axis.
• Pre-soldered electronics with built-in microSD card slot for standalone printing.
• Enhancements to the printed parts to improve the ease of assembly of the X and Y axes

*The resolution is how fine a step the motors can make. The accuracy is how accurately the machine can position things. So the resolution is finer than the accuracy because the accuracy is influenced by other factors, for example how well the timing belt is manufactured.

There is unclarity on build size since there are two sizes mentioned: 210x190x140mm (on RS page) and 200X200X200 (on RepRapPro description).


http://www.reprappro.com/products/ormerod/

http://www.reprappro.com/new-electronics-new-reprap-new-distributor/

It is open source, so you can build it yourself, all files are available on:

https://github.com/reprappro/Ormerod

Update:

Ormerod 2 is released with many improvements over this first model:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2014/09/reprappro-ormerod-2-3d-printer-just.html

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