User:Darque/Projects/DarquenedPrusa
< User:Darque | Projects
Scope
This is a log of my experiences in a first printer build. After looking at the various developments I settled on the Prusa i3 as a good starting point because:
- Simple, well tested design with active development
- Good build instructions
- Plenty of support & community knowledge
Planning Links
I did a lot of reading on the Wiki, Forums, GitHub and others before I made a choice. There is a lot of variation in designs so I wanted to ensure I chose something stable for my first build. I considered the timber frame initially and a possible repStrap pathway but as I utilise a lot of aluminium components through work and I need a working printer before I could get more adventurous I chose the single aluminium frame Prusa i3 quite early on in my research
- The Prusa home page
- The incomplete reprap beginner's guide- As a starting page and to give me the right search links and terms to expand further
- EiNSTeiN variant - This was a good reference page that helped me to start to consider my BOM
- [i3 build instructions] - This was a good introduction to an i3 build and also helped me in part identification
- BOM and instructions - As the printed parts I purchased were based on this variant this was also a good reference to the build and parts list that I would require
- Electronics variants - Ultimately selected the RAMPS_1.4 & Arduino_Mega combo as a robust solution
- A4988_vs_DRV8825_Chinese_Stepper_Driver_Boards - Electronics research around drive options. I went for the DRV8825 as they seemed a slightly better choice based on the comparison to A4988
BOM
- How to get it? - Printable STL part files - Printed Parts from Lithuania through eBay. Not sure I would use this design again as I have a few concerns that I'll document along the way
- NEMA 17 1.8° Stepper Motor, 2 Phase Bipolar - eBay purchase from USA. New & S/Hand for $4 each. OEM No: 42BYGH3903L-02. I purchased 6 to give me a spare
- How to get it? - Laser/waterjet cut DXF files - I used the basic frame design and had 2 laser cut. Not a good idea... see below