A5 Powder bed printer
Release status: Just started
| Description | Building a Powder bed 3D printer.
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| License | GPL
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A5 Powder bed Printer
A number of people have built powderbed printers, but a lack of detail makes it hard for many to build their own, I hope to build one and explain each step, so that others can follow, using equipment and materials that are off the shelf wherever possible.
The principle of a Powderbed printer is simple, take an existing printer, make it into a flat bed, and mount it above some powder, but as always the devil is in the detail, Please be aware that this is a work in progress, and things can change, due to problems, mistakes etc, if you want a finished solution, it may be best to wait until it is tried and tested.
Printer
HP DJ1000 HP DJ2050.. other printer candidates
The HP DJ1000 was the printer of choice for initial development, it looks simple and cheap, and cartridges are refillable, at the time they were difficult to find due to being on special offer, so a HP DJ2050 was purchased instead, this looks like a DJ1000 with a scanner on top, hopefully the scanner will not present extra problems?.
Recoat mechanism
Concealed door slides,(500mm) at £11.50 for two are a cost effective option, they have little or no play and low friction,
3 pairs will be needed.
Powder bins and mechanisms
The powder bins are made from 6mm MDF, (£10) to the drawing below, "other sheet materials could be used, melamine coated mdf, tufnol etc", the store cut the parts on a wall saw, this ensures the cuts are square, (no charge for cutting). the apertures are A5 + 10mm all round, to aid part removal, the slot is for overflow The centre lines of the cross plates were marked out, and small holes for panel pins drilled, glue the edges and assemble, making sure all sides are as square as possible to avoid tight spots when the pistons are fitted, then tap in the panel pins, (use small pins to avoid splitting the MDF), double check that the whole thing is square, ( clamp if needed) and leave to set for 24 hours, I coated mine with wood stove paint, to seal it against moisture, which may cause swelling and distortion.
Pistons,
The pistons need to move in a smooth manner,without jitter, slop etc, this is to ensure that each layer is directly above the previous layer, we also need to seal between piston and bins to prevent powder getting by.
Motors
Electronics
Software
