Orca v020
Release status: prototype
| Description | RepRap Orca
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| License | GPL v2
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| Author | |
| Contributors | |
| Based-on | |
| Categories | |
| CAD Models | |
| External Link |
Contents
Index
RepRap Orca is the latest 3D printer in development by http://mendel-parts.com and well in short:
a cheap, not too heavy, but still robust 3D printer, easy to transport often and optimized for 1.75mm filament.
It still has a Mendel build size, but is simpler/faster to build. (with experience and proper manual, probably in one afternoon).
For this 3D printer not much hardware is needed, but it is still stiff with short bars and belts etc.
It doesn't contain too many (or too big, too complex) plastic parts, so is capable of fast reproduction
(each Orca can easily print a new Orca each day..)
--> Orca v0.2 will be released end of June 2011 (STL files, eDrawings, PDF's, STEP, IGES, DXF, basic manual etc).
Specifications
Benefits of this Design
Orca Electronics
We are also developing new electronics, in short: a very deluxe GEN6 with alot of addons/new features, like standalone printing from SD, multiple heated beds/extruders possible, smart acceleration and a Touchscreen (4,3") and alot more at a very competitive price..
The project is currently named "gen6 ultra" but will change, for now probably "Orca Electronics" ;)
But then newcomers will think the "Orca Electronics" are specific to the machine, and won't work with a Prusa, 1X2, or This Week's Sexy Post-Prusa Mendel. :( --Sebastien Bailard 20:49, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
Current naming status: Orca Electronics aka: GEN6 Ultra / GEN6++ / Camiel's 2nd Generation Electronics / Mendel-Parts electronics v2 / naming still unsure etc
NOTE: current Orca v0.2 uses standard GEN6 and doesnt come with the touchscreen electronics yet..
Orca will be sold with the new touchscreen electronics probably earliest end of September..
How to get Orca
For Orca complete kits:
For Orca parts:
How to build Orca
The five stages:
3. Electronic wiring & Circuit board construction
4. Download print & firmware software
5. Finetune machine / firmware
Preparing
BOM
- Printed Plastics
- Smooth Rod
- Threaded Rod
- Bolts, nuts & washers
- Bearings
- Belts
- Electronics & opto's
- Extruder parts
- Heated bed parts
- Motors
- Power supplies
- Thick & thin sheet
- Filament
(? silicon sealant/cooling fan/cooling paste etc?)
Printed Plastics
- Printbed sm01
- Printbed sm02
- Printbed sm03
Smooth Rod
- 4x 330mm, 8mm diameter
- 2x 400mm, 8mm diameter
tolerances: +/- 5mm is probably ok..
Threaded Rod
- 6x 330mm, M8
- 5x 400mm, M8
- 2x 500mm, M8
- 2x 265mm, M8
tolerances: +/- 5mm is probably ok..
Required Tools
You will need a "standard" toolbox to build an Orca. That includes, but is not limited to:
- Metric allen key / hex wrench set - (2,5mm = M3 (and countersunk M4 bolts) / 3mm = M4)
- (Combination) Wrench set - (5,5mm = M3 & 7mm = M4 & 10mm = M6 & 13mm = M8)
- Dikes/needle-nose pliers/small vice grips.
- Measuring device, preferably a set of calipers or a decent ruler
- Scissors
- Wire stripper
- Small files &/or a dremel
- Drill & common bit sizes
- Countersunk drill (we will probably pre-countersunk Orca v0.2 thick sheet, however this is unsure yet..)
- side cutters
- Multimeter for checking powersupply connection, plus/minus
- Soldering iron and associated consumables (solder, sponge, wick, etc) for the heated bed.
Mendel-Parts.com GEN6 Electronics & opto's & motors are plugnplay out of the box, no soldering required for those.
Mechanical construction
Overview
Orca axes, concept etc
CAD Files
STP/IGES/STL/DXF/PDF/JPG etc
eDrawings & PDF sheets
We are currently working on a professional assembly manual with exploded views/BOMS etc, just like an Ikea manual.. first version will be released end June/early July.
- 5-page pdf sample of frame right assembly
- all current manual PDF's (under construction, use at your own risk currently)
How to use Orca
- 1. General usage
- 2. Software setup
- 3. maintenance of machine
- 4. Problem solving
Videos
- <videoflash type="youtube">VKCQ5vk_2fo</videoflash>
Orca nr 4 printing Orca nr 5 (18-5-2011)
Status
- Version 0.2, May 2011 a prototype serie of 12pc has been made/build and in June production start of first 100pc v0.2 after some delay, because of last minute new extruder and hotend for Orca (and also fits Mendel plug n play if you have Gen6..)
- Version 0.1, April 21, 2011, is the first prototype
Version 0.2
- more info soon
Version 0.1
- Some weekend in January, 2011 : The first basic concept has been drawn
- Some weekend in April, 2011: After on hold for some months, I've finished first files, printing the parts, building it.. and being amazed about it, even without any thick sheet (yet) its very solid... and it will be probably one printbed to print (excl extruder). So suddenly I start to realise that this printer is better then anything around atm (for the given selling price, since it will be cheap) and still has very high stifness and the shortest belts I've seen around (700/840/840mm) For those wo dont know, price of a 1380mm belt is around 2x the price of a 840mm and also long belts give alot more issues... Also the parts are very good printable/symmetric/etc and we are designing it all to have standard size bolts etc.. (alot of people dont know, but for example m4x35 is more expensive then m4x40.. so we focused also on using only a few standard sizes widely avaible etc.
(finally my many years of being a 3D CAD Engineer at a major product development office comes in use for the RepRap world...)
Calendar
June 2011
- Orca printbed stl files are online, check downloads/stl
- first production serie of 100pc of Orca v0.2 thick and thin sheet should arrive tomorrow
- Thick sheet files will be released in few days (PDF/DXF)
- The single printed part files of orca v0.2 will be released (STL/STEP/IGES)
- Three Orca's are in our production line now (beside the Mendels), printing three new Orca sets daily
July 2011
- first Orca manual (exploded views/BOM's in pdf) is planned for early July
- Orca build party @ Barcelona (?)
- first Orca electronics prototype testing is scheduled for end July/early August
PAST (who cares about that part, this world is going way too fast to look back..)
May 2011:
- first, very successful, Orca workshop held @ mendel-parts
- Orca was exposed on an exhibition @ TAC / Eindhoven, more info/pictures soon
Users
Camiel Gubbels is the lead developer/engineer/tester/supplier for this 3D printer. Mendel-Parts.com He's often in the IRC channel, if you need to ask a question.
FAQ
Q: Why is this new printer called "Orca"
A: someone in IRC kept misreading my Orsa (project codename) or well maybe on purpose not sure.. (Orsa = bear in Italian, since it looks a bit like a sitting bear (back in January... ), also Orca sounds better in English then Orsa.
