User:Spiritdude
My name is Rene K. Mueller, got interested in RepRap a few years ago but didn't follow up as the first models were expensive and too complex to build and use - this changed and since about December 2011 got interested more thoroughly again, thanks to several Kickstarter projects, such as Printrbot.
Contributions
- MakiBox, wiki-page started and basic information (not my invention, just realized it wasn't in the wiki yet)
- trying to put some structure and compareable numbers for each RepRap:
- Printed vs Non-Printed Items (calculate a RepRapFactor)
- Printing-Size / Building Volume
- Material Cost (just the items)
- Cost (assembled)
- Precision (position/printing)
- Speed (position/printing)
Favourite RepRaps
Medium Complexity:
- Mendel, classic
- Prusa Mendel, a bit simplified
- DurbiePrusaMendel, further refined
- MendelMax, further refined
- Prusa Mendel, a bit simplified
Low Complexity:
All-In-One:
- MakiBox, all in one (pellets to filament built-in)
Considerations
The Mendel based RepRap's are very rigid, whereas the more simple ones, "Low Complexity" RepRaps like Printrbot, Wallace and Portabee seem to sacrifice the rigidity of the Z-axis and as result X-axis as well at higher Z-level.
The Bukobot and FoldaRap adapts the simplicity of the "Low Complexity" RepRaps and adds some rigidity back by using aluminium extrusions instead of threaded rods - whether a threaded rod vs aluminium extrusion frame is closer or farther from RepRap I can't tell.
The MakiBox aims to be an All-In-One, you fill in pellets (1-2mm large pieces of material), it creates filament internally for the extruder - ideal for recycling. It's still in development stage (2012-07).
3D Printing
My thoughts on 3D Printing: 3D Printing - The Next Technical Revolution (2012/07)
Contact
Email: spiritdude AT gmail DOT com