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

High Complexity

• Mendel aka "Sells Mendel", classic (1x Z-axis motor), Z-axis is X/Y-way stabilized (triangulated)

Not recommended to build since simpler versions exist:

Medium Complexity

• Prusa Mendel, (2x z-axis motors), printed parts massively simplified - quasi standard now
  • DurbiePrusaMendel, further refined
  • MendelMax, further refined

Low Complexity

• Printrbot, loosly based on Prusa Mendel, 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

• FoldaRap, power-supply and controller nicely integrated, speciality: foldable (easy to transport)
• MakiBox, case with power-supply, controller, all in a box, speciality: pellets to filament converter built-in (still in development)

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 by skipping the stabilization: Z-axis is in the open (only one end fixated).

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, as well one stabilization of the Z-axis - whether a threaded rod vs aluminium extrusion frame is closer or farther from RepRap I can't tell (yet).

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).

My Thoughts

On 3D Printing: 3D Printing - The Next Technical Revolution (2012/07)

Contact

Email: spiritdude AT gmail DOT com