Printrbot

Printrbot is the simplest, cheapest, RepRap 3D printer in the world. There are also laser cut versions - the printrbot LC (laser cut), and the Printrbot+ (Plus).

Happy Printing, Brook Drumm

Project Goal

The overall goal is not to win the Gada Prize - although I would be proud :), rather, the goal is to offer a printer that kids can put together and operate. My dream is to provide every school with a Printrbot... and that every Printrbot will produce offspring that produces offspring (...etc....) until every home and school has a 3D printer.

Overview

One 3D Printer Per Home is a huge goal. In reality, only some students will even WANT a 3D printer, so that lowers the bar significantly. My short-term goal is to provide Printrbot 3D printers to any school interested-- AT LOW COST, so that the students who want them can use the school Prinrbot to print the parts to make a Printrbot.... just add electronics, stepper motors, smooth and threaded rod. Through our "Print It Forward" program, we will ask each school to print, assemble and donate a Printrbot to 3 other schools. Although everyone is welcome to source their own parts, Printrbot.com will offer discounts to make this feasible. By relying on schools and Printrbot owners to print 3 other sets of parts to construct a Printrbot, we hope to spread the RepRap love far and wide!

Project Description

Printrbot is a reality. This is a real 3D printer that prints TODAY. I have designed this printer myself, only using other people's work for optional items. The non-original parts I use are:
--Your choice of extruder --2 belt pulleys --2 Z-couplers

Three Designs: Printrbot, jr. and Sr. The Printrbot is the original design that has a medium sized printbed. The Printrbot jr. is the ultra-small, ultra-cheap version that pushes the boundaries of size, cost and simplicity for a 3D printer. The Printrbot Sr. (Gada Edition) will be the special version built specifically for the Gada Prize. While I am grateful that the Gada prize is pushing the technology forward, I believe that 3D printers that have lesser specifications (than the Gada Prize rules dictate) will still be greatly useful for families everywhere. SO my first model was the original "Printrbot" that aims at the sweet-spot between practicality and price. The Printrbot jr. version will be next to lower the barriers to entry for 3D printing at home. Then, finally, the Gada Prize version: Printrbot Sr.

NOTE: according to the official Gada Prize Rules here: http://humanityplus.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/HumanityRepRapGrandPersonalManufacturingPrize.pdf - I formally am using the "no derivatives for the Gada Prize” clause. I believe the approach I am using is unique and original to my design.

Specifications

Currently, I have a mechanically complete Printrbot and am working on lowering the part count and making the construction even simpler. The bot is being printed on a Makerbot Cupcake, so the parts are small and any machine can print them.

The part count is EXTREMELY low:

-18 Printed Parts (not including the extruder)
-3 Roller Bearings
-11 Linear Bearings
-1 two inch bolt
-Nuts & Bolts: 60
-Smooth/Threaded Rods: 12

-4 Nema17 motors (Z axis uses 2)
-Sanguinololu Electronics (Initially) and a new version of the Teensylu is planned including 100% surface mount parts and integrated stepper drivers. This will be an assembled board. (Board files at http://github.com/lwalkera/printrboard per http://printrbot.com/home/2012/1/1/the-end-the-beginning.html )
Hot End: Introducing the NEW "Ubis Hotend" - a super-efficient nichrome wire powered hotend. It can at 10 degrees celcius every 5 seconds. This will come assembled in the kit.

-PCB Heated print bed (5.5" x 5.5")

UPDATE: we are seriously looking at going with a bowden extruder.... stay tuned...

Extruder (Wade's Accessible):
-4 Printed Parts
-3 roller bearings
-1 Hobbed Bolt
-1 very short threaded rod
-a few washers, bolts and nuts to mount it
-1 Nema17 motor

Total part count (Sans motors, electronics, hot end): 101 ..... and shrinking.