User:Spiritdude

My name is Rene K. Mueller, got interested in RepRap a few years ago but didn't follow up as the first models were expensive and too complex to build and use - this changed and since about December 2011 got interested more thoroughly again, thanks to several Kickstarter projects, such as Printrbot.

Contributions

• MakiBox, wiki-page started and basic information (not my invention, just realized it wasn't in the wiki yet)
• trying to put some structure and compareable numbers for each RepRap:
  • Printed vs Non-Printed Items (calculate a RepRapFactor)
  • Printing-Size / Building Volume
  • Material Cost (just the items)
  • Cost (assembled)
  • Precision (position/printing)
  • Speed (position/printing)

Favourite RepRaps

Medium Complexity:

• Mendel aka "Sells Mendel", classic (1x z-axis motor), z-axis x&y-way stabilized (triangulated)
  • Prusa Mendel, (2x z-axis motors), printed parts massively simplified - quasi standard now
    • DurbiePrusaMendel, further refined
    • MendelMax, further refined

Low Complexity:

• Printrbot, very simple, z-axis in the open (one end fixated)
  • Wallace, parametric version, z-axis in the open
  • Portabee, z-axis in the open

• Bukobot, alike Printrbot but with aluminium extrusions (very rigid) and z-axis x-way stabilized.
• FoldaRap, (dito)

All-In-One:

• MakiBox, all in one (pellets to filament built-in)

Considerations

The Mendel based RepRap's are very rigid, whereas the more simple ones, "Low Complexity" RepRaps like Printrbot, Wallace and Portabee seem to sacrifice the rigidity of the Z-axis and as result X-axis as well at higher Z-level.

The Bukobot and FoldaRap adapts the simplicity of the "Low Complexity" RepRaps and adds some rigidity back by using aluminium extrusions instead of threaded rods - whether a threaded rod vs aluminium extrusion frame is closer or farther from RepRap I can't tell.

The MakiBox aims to be an All-In-One, you fill in pellets (1-2mm large pieces of material), it creates filament internally for the extruder - ideal for recycling. It's still in development stage (2012-07).

3D Printing

My thoughts on 3D Printing: 3D Printing - The Next Technical Revolution (2012/07)

Contact

Email: spiritdude AT gmail DOT com