PrusaBuildNotesBraino

summary To catch my build notes for my Prusa Build Autumn 2011

High level project is to implement an alternative processor, specifically the Parallax Propeller per this discussion http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?129448-Prop-based-CNC-3D-printer

In order to establish a baseline as to what constitutes the current 3D-Printer (as of 20110701), I opted to build a unit for comparison. I settled on a modified Mendel Prusa http://reprap.org/wiki/Prusa

This is a log of the specifics I encountered. The brick and mortar locations are in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs.

Mechanical

Printed parts from Sacha at Pumping Station One http://pumpingstationone.org/tag/reprap/

Rods from McMaster-Carr (they delivered to my door!)

Fasterners from Jordan Supply (there's more than listed on the web site) http://www.jordanindustrial.com/

Hot End

MakerGear - the instructions are not organized clearly. I made some major mistakes despite reading them first several times, and following quite closely.

http://www.makergear.com/products/operators-pack "Operator pack" and "Hot End Pack" and (there was third term) all refer to the assembly that holds the heater coil and extruder tip. It cost $75 and requires Wooden Mounting Pieces - Wade for $6.00 USD. It did not fit the modified Wades extruder without modification. (the screw holes were off by about 2mm).

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Electronics

I opted for a one piece mainboard

http://reprap.org/wiki/Sanguinololu

This one is preassembled

http://store.solidoodle.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63&product_id=52

It includes a bootloader pre-burned during assembly and testing during production.

This needed a two pin shunt header soldered to the AUTO RST labeled on the skilk screen to enable Autoreset. Shunting the jumper allows the PC to restart the Arduino for programming, etc. Removing the shunt (default) allow the unit to operate stand alone; that is, it will not reboot when the unit is disconnected or reconnected to the PC print.

Stepper Motors and Drivers

Pololu 1200 were recommended by several sources. FIVE are needed, two for the Z-axis. Reodering one more motor costs double the price of the motor due to shipping.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1200/faqs

The stepper drivers are refered to by the stepper driver IC. The unit we buy is the IC mounted on a carried board. The A4988 has over current protection. FOUR are needed. The one used for the Z-axis can drive the two Z-motors easily. New notes say to wire them in series instead of parallel contraindicating the instructions.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1182