StrongPrint
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Release status: Experimental
| Description | Metal 3D printer inspired from Metal Delta RepRap v1
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| External Link | (none)
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Contents
Background
Inspired by the Metal Delta RepRap v1 to propose a very affordable metal 3d printer but it is based TIG (GTAW) process which has the potential to be more precise and it allows to use a cheap low power inverter MMA welding power source. The objective for this printer is to be below 1000€ cost & 2mm weld thickness.
- All documents required to build this printer are available on thingiverse
It has been developed in two month thanks to the support of the Artilect FabLab in toulouse. It is not yet operational but it is able to deposit metal on a steel plate.
Some videos are available online:
- Arc ignition test by the liftarc method: YouTube: StrongPrint - Arc initiation Test
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- Metal deposition test with three layers: YouTube: StrongPrint - 3 layers Test
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General Design
The printer is based on the Enlarged Rostock which was based on the Rostock from Johann
Document under construction, more details to come soon...
Bill Of Materials
Components On the machine at present: (Cost ~600€)
- Welding source: GysMi 80p 120 (any inverter based MMA power source should do, it might be advised to go up to a 130A one ) (120€ to 250€ for simple MMA sources) - Round Shaft: 12mmx1000mm Z-12-1000A x 6 -> 90€ Obtained From HPC Europe - Linear Bearings 12mm KB-12-WW x 6 -> 67€ Obtained from HPC Europe - Belt 2m T2.5 x3 & Pulley 16 tooth x3 -> 75€ + 19€ Obtained from eMotion Tech - Gen 7 V1.4.1 board x 1-> 145€ (the more recent Ramps FD + arduino due might be a good choice ) - Nema17 400 step/turn x3 -> 47€ Obtained from Selectronics (for the 3 axis) - Nema17 200 step/turn x1 -> 16€ eMotion Tech ( for the extruder ) lower steps is better for rapid retract - Carbon rods -> diam 8 Kite frame from Decathlon - Donut magnets x12 -> 12€ ref: R-15-06-06-N from Supermagnete - Steel balls diam 12.7 x12 -> 4€ ref:K-13-N from Supermagnete - USB-A Female plugs x4 -> 4€ from Electronique-Diffusion - USB-B Female plugs x4 -> 4€ from Electronique-Diffusion - USB printer Cable x4 -> 12€ from Electronique-Diffusion - 9pin SubD conector Male & female -> 2€ from Electronique-Diffusion - Bearings x5 -> From roller blades 5€ - Recuperated Stoneware tile -> 0€ (Not adequate a conductive material will be better to reduce deformation)
3D Printed parts ABS only due to the severe environment:
- Motor_End x3 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:71687 - Idler_End V1.2 x3 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:143186 - Bed x2 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:74119 - MiniStruder x1 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:310705 - Magnetic Carriage x3 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:303637 - Ball Holder for Magnetic Bearing x12 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:305411 - Magnetic Platform Tool -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:305118 - SR17 Torch Holder x1 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:319442 - Nozzle Holder x1 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:313475 - Springy Clip x6 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:312016 - Tungsten level Cup x1 -> http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:326091
Conponent identified for the planned upgrades:
- Welding plate -> Thick copper or aluminium plate - 24V power supply -> for solenoid valve & motors - 24V solenoid valve -> for argon managment - 10K Digital potentiometer -> AD5175 or similar to control welding power source - Inductive Curent sensor -> to measure welding current - Optocouplers -> to isolate electronics from the welder control to the printer control - HF ignition system -> Coil, condenseurs, etc...
Head design
Welder Design
Wire feed system
Electro Magnetic Shielding
Software
Assembly
Instructions
The Strong print Printer share the same Frame structure as the Enlarged Rostock
Assembly of the machine is as simple as an IKEA furniture:
For the frame: 1 - Build the three columns:
- Assemble the Iddler End: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:143186 with the beraing & the bolts - Assemble the Motor End: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:71687 with the stepper motor & the pulley - Assemble the Magnetic Carriage: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:303637 with two R-15-06-06-N magnets, insert two KB-12-WW Linear Bearings in the housings & tighten the M3 bolts - Assemble the Column: - Fit the two Z-12-1000A smooth rods on the Motor End - Insert the Magnetic Carriage with the magnets facing towards the motor side of the motorend (fix them with Epoxi not hot glue). The linear bearings shood fit smoothly on the roods with no play. - Fit the Iddler End with the bearing on the same side as the puley on the Motor End. - Ensure everithing is straight & square with no twist & tighten the M3 bolts of the Iddler end & the motor end - Fit the T2.5 belt to the tension nut from the carriage, Attach the tehsion nut to the carriage with two long M3 bolts & nuts. pass the belt arount the puley & the bearing and fix the end to the adapted bit on the carriage sith a slight tension, which can then be ajusted with the long M3 nuts. - That is it you now have three columns fully equiped.
2 - Assembly of the Frame Structure
- Bolt the reinforcment bar to the printer Bed & Top: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:74119 - Screw one by one the MotorEnd of the Three columns to the printer Bed - Screw the printer top on top of the three columns - Fit the tension cable to the reinforcment bars while crossing them (the tension cable are optional it rigidifies the structure which is only needed for fast printing with plastic) - Apply moderate tension to the tension cable ensuring no twist or deformation is created in the frame . - The structure is now fully assembled
