Category:FoldaRap Development

Some other ideas I wanted to try, or may try some days :

Use some tubing for Z-coupling

As used in some Prusa i3 and the Reprappro Mendel

Pro : cheap, 2 printed part in less, also 8 m3x20, 8 m3 washer and 8 m3 nut in less... interesting !

Cons : 2 more non-printed-part

I think I will try it, but people are still free to choose what they prefer.

Replace the M6 Z-threaded rods by M5

Pros : use the same M5 nuts as on the pneumatic fittings (less different parts), finer z-step-mm, also easier to put in the tubing.

Cons : more prone to bend (but that can be an advantage sometimes), M6 = faster z-speed (thus less blobs at layer change)

Replace the Y smooths-rods and linear bearings by sliders

Like for the Z-axis.

Pros : that could reduce the overall cost/complexity.

Cons : need a test to see how it is durable over time (like for PLA bushings?)

May need something like UHMWPE (see this discussion)

Bowden Cooling

Active cooling with a bowden tube pointing on the x-carriage and the print (e.g.: CDrom-motor-pump + cooling nozzle or microblower ?)

Pros : very compact and very precise cooling, just another tube using the second head slot in a modified reprappro hotend

Cons : maybe easier to put a fan on the x-carriage

Replace the 6.8 ohm resistor (=20W@12v)

By one with a lower ohm (e.g 3 ohm) or even a cartridge heater (12v-40w)

Pro: faster heat-up, allow higher temp (for abs) Cons: more power consumption

Silver hotend

Best conductivity

Driving

• Rack & pignon
• wires instead of belts (several peoples did it)
  • from the Tantillus : fishing wire... wrapped 5 times around the rod and then goes through a hole and wraps an additional 5 times resulting in no slip). This is a roll on roll off system with a fixed anchor in the middle
  • Heavy Mendel (http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?152,117818 and http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:19368)

Foldaslot v0X ?

(after a discussion with a makerspace's friend who's designing an awesome pick-n-place, came an idea for an even more experimental reprap using his system)

• makerbeam linear rail
• direct driven x-carriage and y-bed (no belts)
• ultra small motors http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/997
• http://austriamicrosystems.com/Products/Magnetic-Encoders
• new motor driver interfacing with the sanguinololu or a completely new board

Or with a scissor-Z like in the Create -> FoldaRap2 ^^