Air 2

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Air 2 - Iteration 2

Release status: working

Air2.jpg
Description
Simplified Prusa
License
GPL
Author
Contributors
Based-on
Categories
CAD Models
External Link


NOTE

This page illustrates how to mount the Air 2 (by Mecano) using the parts developed (by Prusa) for the Prusa i2. Linear bearings are used for the Y Axis and T2.5 belts and aluminium pulleys for the motion transmission.

Introduction by - Mecano

Since I discovered the RepRap project I was surprised by the sheer amount of knowledge that could be stored (and organised) by an on-line community of aficionados. I was most impressed to see so ground shaking an invention take root and grow through the collaboration of specialists dispersed all around the world from varied fields such as mechanics, electronics & computers facilitated by this incredible network.

Josef Prusa revolutionised the mechanical design of this device when he dramatically simplified the construction of the RepRap Mendel. The result of his efforts, the Prusa, has become a standard in RepRap building. This achievement also made it much easier for any person to build a 3D printer (provided they are prepared to a little reading and learning along the way).

The "Air" drinks from this spirit and attempts to add a new twist to the construction of a 3D printer. 

The design is based on three basic principles:

1) Simplification of the assembly process(KISS principle).

2) Designing the parts in the cheapest way but still meet the requirements.

3) Improving the aesthetics by introducing a little elegance and beauty to the finished item.


Within these guidelines, the use of RP parts has been reduced for "commercial" pieces but nonetheless bearing in mind that they are readily available worldwide so any anyone can use them if they so wish.


Specifications

  • Printed Parts: See below
  • Non-Printed Parts: See below
  • Printing Size: 190x180x100
  • Material Cost: Around 500 Eur.
  • Cost: Around 800 Eur
  • Precision: Same as Prusa.
  • Speed: Succeeded printings at 70 mm/sec printing and 120 mm/sec travelling.

Air Frame Replacement

A) Most of the frame rods and RP pieces have been replaced by "four pieces of 6mm acrylic". These are dimensioned following the exact dimensions of the original Prusa design. So for all intents and purposes this machine works as a Prusa with all sizing, trips, electronics, firmware etc. of a Prusa.

PrusaSolid.png PrusaAirPerfil.png

B) When viewed from the side, one of the sides of the typical Mendel triangle has been removed, resulting in a more accessible work area.

C) The holes for the rods have been changed (slotted) so that the rods can be removed without having to completely unscrew the nuts.

DetalleVarillas.png

D) With the Y axis you can choose to use a traditional Y-axis or mount a variation on the theme: Y-axis with integrated heated platform as shown in thingiverse.

The X and Z axis have not changed, they are exactly the same as that of a Mendel Prusa.

IsoHidenUp.PNG

Improvements of Air 2 frame regarding Air 1

Increased Print Volume

The available volume for printing was increased through:

- Lateral separation - (from 234mm to 250 mm)

- Lowering of the heated print bed - down by 10mm

These small (but nonetheless significant) changes resulted in a total available print cube of 190mm X 190mm X 100mm. Naturally, the actual exact volume available for printing will ultimately depend on the height of your heated bed and the lowermost point of your Hot End.


Improved Rigidity

- The transparent acrylic material for the frame was increased in thickness to 6mm.

- A cross "bearer" was introduced to define the frame thereby increasing rigidity and removing possible inaccuracies in setting the horizontal separation between the vertical supports.

- Washers(DIN9021)introduced at the fixing points between rods and the Acrylic frame.


Desing made considering the wiring:

Design improved with a view to neatening up the cabling.

- Control electronics is expected to go on the left hand side (board horizontally oriented to receive cabling from above)

- Acrylic supports had holes introduced to allow cabling to be "loomed" through.


Images of current design:

Prusa Air 2 Left 01.pngPrusa Air 2 Front 01.pngPrusa Air 2 Plan 01.png


Angle brackets for assembly:

The brackets used to fix the horizontal motor support to the new back "bearer" were purchased at the local hardware store. However these could easily be made out of ABS. The design to be printed can be found at http://www.thingiverse.com/download:46665

DSC02221.JPG

Bill Of Materials

Here are all the parts needed to build the printer.

Printed Parts

Frame and Structure

Piece stl file Description Quantity Comment


Top bar clamp.png stl GliderStop 2 Used to fix the z smooth rod to the the acrylic frame (NB:not part of the standard prusa parts kit)
Squad.png stl Squad 3 Used to fix the acrylic frame (NB: not part opf the standard prusa parts kit)
PI2-bar-clamp.png stl U-clamp 6 Clamps used to pin smooth bars to threaded rod
PI2-belt-clamp.png stl Belt Clamp 4 Clamps to close the belt loops
PI2-belt-camp-nut-holder.png stl Belt Clamp 2 Belt Clamp nut Holder.
PI2-endstop.png stl Endstop Holder 3 Support for endstop
Xend idler.png stl X End Idler 1 X-Axis idler - opposite end of motor support. (Jonas Kuehling): http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18384 . Prusa i2 does not work because the holes for the rods are blind.
X end motor.png stl X End Motor 1 X-Axis motor support. (Jonas Kuehling): http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18384 . Prusa i2 does not work because the holes for the rods are blind.
Ybrac-t.png stl Y Motor Bracket 1 Y-Axis motor bracket
PI2-coupling.png stl Z couplings 2
PI2-x-carriage.png stl LM8UU X carriage. 1 See Note below Reinforced Alternative (Jonas Kuehling): http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18657
Y-bushing.png stl Y Bushing 4 Bushings for holding the lm8uu linear bearings - Reinforced Alternative (Jonas Kuehling): http://www.thingiverse.com/download:53948

Note: Instead of using the printed support for the heated bed Mecano has developed for the Air the following part: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11657


Extruder (by Jonas Kuehling)

It can be found here http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:18379

Rods and screws

Threaded rods

The threaded rods can be be steel(zinc plated) or stainless.

Diameter M8

Lengths required are: 4 x 285 mm 2 x 210 mm 1 x 430 mm

If you cut them from 1 meter rods you will need two rods The best way to cut these is:

Rod 1: 285 - 285 - 430 ========> Total 1000 mm

Rod 2: 285 - 285 - 210 - 210 ===> Total 990 mm


Smooth Rods

The smooth rods should be stainless steel.

Diameter M8

Ideally you should use calibrated rounds. These have very tight dimensional tolerances (7.97 - 8 mm)

Lengths required are: 4 x 410 mm 2 x 345 mm

The total legth would be about 2.35 m. The dimensions may be the same as those of Prusa but some have been slightly changed to minimize the number of different pieces.


Screws

Again I stress that this includes the hardware necessary for the printer without including the extruder / X carriage or Y axis platform pieces.

Quantity Set DIN For:
43 M8 nuts DIN934 For rods
40 M8 washers DIN125 For rods
1 M8x35 screw DIN933 Axis belt X carriage
8 M3x10 screws with nut DIN912 To fix X-Axis guides
16 M3x10 with washer DIN912 To fix the 4 motors
7 M3x20 screws with nut and double washer DIN912 Z couplings and Endstop Holders

Screws DIN 912 are Allen type which makes installation much easier.

Finally you will need to add:

3 x 608ZZ bearings ( + 3 for the extruder)

11x LM8UU linear bearings for the z axis (4) for the extruder (3) and for the build platform (4) (numbers needs checking)

Belts T2.5 840 and 900 mm long and 5 mm wide and T2.5 pulleys

Building Photographs

They made one