Do you have any information about the design that you can distribute? I’m going to start modelling a design (with yours as inspiration), however instead of using flow jet parts I’m going to use laser cut acrylic. Do you see any problems with this?

Thanks, Ben

I wonder if you could get some more build height if you allowed the extruder to extend above the top of the X axis hardware. It seems the top & bottom rails don’t need to be that far apart.

just came across your site. I really like the idea of using professional cut aluminium extrusions and flat parts. Will use aluminium extrusions for my DIY streetview project.

I am looking to get a app. 6x6x6 inch part printed. Seems this is to large for a lot of the machines I saw.

A design question:
I don’t understand why people go for a movable table? The machine needs to be at least twice the size compared to a machine with movable head only.
Moving the head in x, y and z direction seems to be the choice for a compact design?

I do understand that stacking 3 axles “ontop” of each other is very demanding. Maybe have the z axle on the table?

Thanks,
Jan

I apreciate you are heading towards more profesional looking production machine with the design.

As a side design you would’nt consider a T slot minimalist repstrap along McWire lines would you ??

I think there is a demand for a McWire T Slot Kit to get many folk started.

The machine is designed to require almost no machining/drilling/rework of any kind. All the heavy machining and cutting is done by 80/20. And since the flat parts are cut by waterjet, you basically have a box of parts you bolt together. Now, there are some holes that I ream to the tolerances I’m looking for, and a few holes to tap. But other than that, it is a really simple project to assemble.

If you want to buy the raw extrusion and do the cutting & light milling yourself, that can definitely be done in a garage, and probably with handtools. Personally, after I saw how nice the machined parts from 80/20 were, and how reasonably priced, I gave up doing it myself.

As for using the waterjet, I use it because it is available locally, and reasonably priced. The flat parts can be cut using any method that can cut 1/8″ aluminum to +/- 0.005″. A cnc mill would work really well. In fact, I’d love to try this – I could probably eliminate the reaming step. Can someone recommend a contract CNC shop?

As for kits/cost, I’m presently considering my options. I’ll post something soon.

I actually chose the forward location for the z-axis threaded rod to place it close to where I’m guessing the x-axis CG is. Keep in mind that there will be an extruder hanging on the forward face, with a nice iron stepper motor.

But yea, until I actually have an extruder designed and mounted, I won’t know where the CG is. It is definitely worth considering how some adjustability could be incorporated in the rod mounts to balance the axis.

Or perhaps I should just rotate the the x-axis horizontal, Mendel style, and put the extruder between the supports. Hmm…

that z drive threaded rod should probably aim for the center of gravity of the x axis assembly

which size profiles are you using?