Vlad Tepes
Release status: Experimental
| Description | Rigidity Obsessed assembly
|
| License | GPL
|
| Author | |
| Contributors | |
| Based-on | |
| Categories | |
| CAD Models | |
| External Link |
About Vlad Tepes
Vlad Tepes is the historic figure sitting behind what is known as "Count Dracula". The public image about him couldnt be more wrong than that. This short introduction is, ironically, meant to do a little justice to a man who himself knew no compromise about justice.
On short, he lived during very dark times. As time habits were, he was raised at ottoman's court as an "lever" of his father behavior on the throne, e.g. if his father would misbehave then he would of been executed. He came to throne in a context where there was no law, but corruption and criminality were ruling instead. Most of sources blame him for cruelty and executing his enemies, things which arent quite accurate either. He intended to eradicate criminality, so he executed the criminals, at start mostly by sword, like he saw in childhood, but it seemed to be a never-ending job. The choice to impale the criminals instead was meant to leave them there for public awareness, and probably came from the suggestion of one of his aids. The method proved extremely effective and in short time after, criminality was in fact eradicated. He took measures to strengthen the economy and help the working peoples. Among these, he imposed restrictions for traders coming with products from other places (like customs taxes do nowadays). For this he became hated and the outside traders actively plotted to kill him for years. If there is anything that can be said about his rule, is that he made no compromise, in justice or anything else. And who lived long enough knows that making no compromise is not a little thing. Sadly, its what sealed its fate in the end. As a ruler he was loved by the ordinary working peoples which gathered to form army to his aid more than once. His grave is not known - if would be then i suppose i would of researched genetics instead, for a way to clone the guy.
Legend says, one old man made a fountain aside a road for travelers to have fresh water. The recipient used for drinking was supposedly made of gold. One day the man goes to the fountain and the recipient is missing. He then said "Vlad is no longer on his throne".
Little Vlad Tepes knew that a few centuries later, the world would remember him as a guy obsessed with sucking blood out of sexy virgins ... (yummmm to that btw).
This is just one of the many general misconceptions i can see from where i am standing. This also should remind us that general judgments should not be passed about a person, unless we know hard facts, or we actually have been in that person's place for long enough to understand where he comes from. This is obviously not related to reprap, but it is a good example of what kind of misconceptions we can fall prey to. And at which degree it can get to.
If this was *that* far away fetched from reality, then simply who knows what else we have got wrong.
Initial point of view and considerations
- Vertical axis setup is considered, with the intent of bringing something extra, in terms of features, versatility etc. In this context having a dual axis for a second toolhead is a direction to explore. Mostly because its so easy to do, e.g. rods will be in a square config, 2 at each side of the Z drive. Having a separate axis could let us have a second toolhead without increasing the weight of the first. There are alot of considrents to it, e.g. there is no current electronics and firmware which could eventually deal with a secondary independent axis. How the second axis could be justified is a question mark, but i am sure it can be put at some use in the end.
- For a number of reasons, i am obsessed with rigidity and the 8mm rods are not inspiring me confidence for the job, so 12mm is the choice, smooth rods + linear bearings. With bigger components and second axis, i think a bigger frame would be in order, at least makes more sense in the context. It probably should use 12mm for frame bars and vertices aswell, but for now will pass on that as it feels kinda much.
- In the end this is pretty much for myself and not primarily for the Vert-x contest. In advance apologies if this doesnt make it in time to meet the deadline.
Initial frame changes
1) Rigidity obsession pack: frame "patching" with rod clamps, from place to place, in different positions. For 8mm frame.
2) Accommodation for 12 mm Z smooth rod.
| Angle | Bars dia. | Origins | Comments | File1 | File2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 deg | 8 + 8 | Mendel | original mendel part from repository | 50px | identical |
| 60 deg | 8 + 8 | ? | ? | ? | identical |
| 45 deg | 8 + 8 | ? | ? | ? | identical |
| 30 deg | 8 + 8 | ? | ? | ? | identical |
| 90 deg | 8 + 12 | Massive Mendel | y smooth rods clamping to frame | 50px | 50px |
| Zrod fix | 12mm Zrod | Theodleif | z mount for 12mm rod; tweak: zrod fi12 and thicker clamp | 50px | none |
| Zrod fix | 12mm Zrod | Prusa repository | z mount for 12mm rod; tweak: zrod fi12 and M3 holes 20mm apart | 50px | none |
| Zrod fix | 12mm Zrod | Mendel repository | old z rod clamp style; tweak: to fit the above mount | 50px | none |
X axis end piece
Rectangle placement configuration of smooth rods.
A chain is as strong as the weakest link. In our case the weakest link is made out of plastic and feels like its this piece in particular (e.g. between x assembly and frame). Also this piece is the cornerstone of a x axis redesign. Impacts on all other parts, motor, belts, carriage, extruder, etc.
Considerations:
- meant to fit 4 bars to form 2 vertical axis
- should allow fitting only 2 bars to get a horizontal (classical) axis; maybe even fitting these at different heights;
- for extra flexibility of configuration, can be physically separated from the motor mounts;
- preferably making it in a single block, (if feels reasonable enough); if not, 2 parts to clamp z drive from either side;
- 4 rods and 2 carriages its alot of extra weight; so this piece needs alot of extra strength compared to old one;
| Version | Short note | Short comment | Description | File1_STL | File2_VRML2.0 ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 70x70 | 70mm horizontal | probably too big | Media:Zb70x70.stl | Media:Zb70x70.wrl |
| File:Zb70x70.stl | File:Zb70x70.wrl |
** VRML - *.wrl : Avoid if unfamiliar. I find it buggy. For Cosmo browser plugin change from defaults in Graphics -> Automatic render change to Direct3D renderer
