3D Printing (archived - 2012)

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Members Involved:

  • Bengizmo
  • Brian Q
  • Codohundo

Project Scope:

To continuously research and develop amateur 3D printing techniques (primarily plastic extrusion).

Details:

Protospace has recently had a Makerbot Cupcake CNC donated, and we have Brian's Rapman 3.1 at the space for members to play with. Both require hardware updates which will need to be purchased when we have the moneys.


Progress thus far:

  • RapMan upgraded to firmware 4.2.0
  • BFB Axon Software package has been found to be the best at converting STL files to BFB files for the RapMan
  • The Rapman is printing accurate 3D objects in ABS, haven't tried PLA yet.
  • The Makerbot Cupcake CNC has been upgraded to the newest firmware
  • Small objects can be printed on the CupCake CNC

To Do:

RapMan Upgrades:

  • Install new heated print bed - The current bed is warped, and ABS plastic also warps / lifts from the bed because it needs to be heated throughout during the print. Here is the bed Brian ordered (which is also what he will put on his Ultimaker when it arrives next month) > http://mixshop.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=96
  • Dual print headers (future upgrade) > http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/store/rapman-31-double-head-extruder-upgrade This will allow us to use both PLA & ABS at the same time to create much more complicated objects with proper structural support. You could also feed one with water soluble filament so that the support structure of an object can be washed away after it's printed.

Cupcake CNC upgrades:

Future Additions:

  • Use our existing 3D printers to print replacement parts for themselves
  • Print parts for Prusa Mendel Kits
  • Source non-printed parts for Prusa Mendel Kits
  • Sell Prusa Mendel Kits