For the last few months we’ve been working on a new printer design that we are calling the T-Rep 3. We made a big push to get it complete for the MakerFaire, and if you were there on Sunday you may have seen it on static display at the RepRap table.
Like our previous design, it is constructed primarily of T-slot aluminum extrusions (and associated components) and flat aluminum parts. Here’s a CAD rendering of the basic design:
It has a number of improvements over our previous model. For one, we are now using linear ball bearings on all axes. We found that bushings can work well, but they are very finicky and can bind at the slightest provocation. By contrast, we found linear bearings much easier to use. They are smooth running, almost self-aligning, and will support huge side loads without complaining. They actually seem to become smoother the more load you put on them.
Moving to linear bearings allowed us to make the X and Y axes more compact. Here’s a detail shot of the X & Y axes (and extruder) from below:
Using linear bearings also enabled us to use a simple, cantilevered Z stage. The stage is very stiff, with no noticeable play.
We also designed the frame to allow acrylic panels to be mounted on all sides and added a door in front. With an enclosed system like this, you can add some dryer vent tube and a bathroom fan to create a nice fume extraction system. The enclosure isn’t airtight, but the fan creates negative pressure within the enclosure which effectively contains the fumes. So far it has worked well and we haven’t noticed any smells while printing.
Here’s what the printer looks like when fully enclosed:
The frame also incorporates a bottom compartment for power supplies and electronic boards. Compared to our previous design which required a separate controller box, this change eliminated a ton of exposed wiring and greatly reduced the number of connectors. The end result is very clean and easy to assemble.
Here’s Pat assembling the prototype:
The T-slot parts are really nice to work with. It took Pat two leisurely days to completely assemble the mechanical parts (with no instructions), and another day to complete the wiring. The end result:
It is difficult to see in the photo, but the entire printer is enclosed in clear acrylic.
The design for this printer is almost complete, and I’ll be posting more info soon. Our goal is to release the plans under an open license, and if the interest is there, to offer complete kits.
How much would it cost in materials to build this (after plans are released)? I would buy a kit!
Wow, Looks really great! Just started planing/building my first reprap/repstrap, and found your TRep very inspiring. I was planning to build a repstrap to produce the printable parts for Mendel, but i think i now will build something similar to your latest design. Here in Germany I don’t have access to 80/20 Aluminium Parts, but several companies like maytec.Org or Bosch Rexroth are offering sophisticated extruded aluminum Systems to Play with. Anyway, really looking forward to you publishing more detailed Information soon.
Greetings from Bavaria
Christian
Cool. I’ve been designing my own tslot printer and have been using your ideas for inspiration. Could you provide some more pictures or the Trep3? Also when do you plan to release more information?
What electronics are you using to control the machine? Are you using reprap or the gecko system you build before?
Thanks in advance! P.S. Hello from CA!
Like it – I would definitely be interested in a kit !
I’d pay up to $500 for a kit- even though I’m just a poor college kid.
I would buy a kit too!! Is there any more information about it?
Thanks
Nice job guys…I was all set to go with bronze bushings in lieu of linear bearings. Which linear bearings did you use?
Count me in for the kit as well!
Hi: Great work. I’m interested in the plans. Would be challenging but fun and I have a lot of parts (t-slot stock, motors, etc.) lying around currently languishing unused.
Please let me know when the plans and part list are available.
all the best
Al
Great work! Makerbot missed the boat on the mechanics end of the design (I know. I have one).
I would be interested in the plans for the extruder assembly. Looks like a good solid design. I’m going to make my own frame, only bigger.
umm… YEAH, there is definitely interest here on my end.
Can’t wait to see prints or pricing on this! I was thinking about doing a similar thing with 80/20, but if the kit is already made… 
You guys are in Sonoma? Interested in hosting a maker meeting at your garage to show off the T-Rep in person?
Awesome! when can we see the plans?
Any updates on if and when the plans will be made available?
I would like to see plans for at least the axis movements and how you cantilevered the Z stage , the prewife just gave me the go ahead to replace the coffee table with a big printer
This looks like a very solid build – and I just want to chime in with all the others – we need plans!
This project is one of the best that I have seen. With that said are there plans??? Will they be made available?
Did I miss the plans release?
nice Taig bro.