Printrbot
Release status: working
| Description | the simplest, cheapest, RepRap 3D printer in the world.
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| License | ???
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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
Contents
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 used are:
- Your choice of extruder
- 2x belt pulleys
- 2x Z-couplers
Three Designs: Printrbot Original, -Junior and -Senior
- The Printrbot is the original design that has a medium sized printbed, and aims at the sweet-spot between practicality and price.
- The Printrbot Junior is the ultra-small, ultra-cheap version that pushes the boundaries of size, cost and simplicity for a 3D printer, to lower the barriers to entry for 3D printing at home.
- The Printrbot Senior (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.
Note: according to the official Gada Prize Rules - 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 rather low:
- 18x Printed Parts (not including the extruder)
- 3x Roller Bearings
- 11x Linear Bearings
- 1x 2" bolt
- 60x Nuts & Bolts
- 12x Smooth/Threaded Rods
- 4 Nema17 motors (Z axis uses 2)
- PCB Heated print bed (5.5" x 5.5")
Updates Planed:
- We are seriously looking at going with a bowden extruder.... stay tuned...
- 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.
Extruder (Wade's Accessible):
- 4x Printed Parts
- 3x roller bearings
- 1x Hobbed Bolt
- 1x very short threaded rod
- a few washers, bolts and nuts to mount it
- 1x Nema17 motor
Total part count (without motors, electronics, hot end): 101 ..... and shrinking.
Numbers
- Printed Parts: ???
- Non-Printed Parts: ???
- Material Cost: ???
- Cost: USD 550 - 950 (non assembled)
- Printing Size: 6"x6"x6" to 8"x8"x8" (15cm x 15cm x 15cm - 20cm x 20cm x 20cm)
- Precision: ??? (position), ??? (printing)
