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Homebrew engraver to 3D printer Mod

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BillTodd:
I'm finding it difficult to find time to do this... However, I did manage to get the belt drive X axis sorted today. I'm getting about 150mm/s &  >2000mm/s/s acc reliably which I hope should be OK.

I'm stil not sure whether to go for a Aduino RAMPS controller  or to try a LinuxCNC version with the bits I have first ,  If it looks like it functions OK,  then I may splash out on a Duet board (if i can find one)

Pictures will follow later

BillTodd:
OK Bodged converted the X and Y axes to belt and they're working . I've decided to swap the X&Y so the longer axis is Y so that it'll take up a narrower slot on the bench.

ATM I have the 'vice' attached where a bed will go. Somewhere (in some long forgotten place) is a 6mm ally plate that will fit the bolt holes. However....

What is the best material for the bed?  -  I have a selection of ally plate 4-12mm , some perspex ( 5 & 8mm) , a sort-of 'paxolin' fibre plate (~4mm) that maybe too flexible (would need strengtheners)  but is light and would take heat . Ultimately I want a heated glass plate for ABS .

picclock:
Hi Bill.

Have you thought of using the glass that you print on as the bed. This is what I have done (see my project log). It is clipped to the bearing carriers with bulldog clips. A clamp holds the glass and connects to the belt. Because this approach minimises weight faster print speeds and acceleration are achievable. I bought an old mirror off of gumtree for £5, which has enough glass for about 6 beds.

Best Regards

picclock

BillTodd:
Hi Pic,

Yes it will need a glass plate , but I  need to have something under it that will bolt to the two slides. Today I knocked up a piece of 1/4" MDF which looks about the right sort of thickness and is flat-ish.  If I use ally my guess it will conduct the heat away from the plate (did I see you using a cork mat as insulator?)


I've been looking at making the all new Z axis . I have a another piece of type-setter extrusion (same as the slides above) and a few bearing assemblies from old HDDs . I've made nylotron tyres for the bearings and am just in the process of CADing something together.

BillTodd:
Not too much achieved today.

I managed to take the X axis slide off , cut the excess aluminium off to make it flat , ready to take the new Z axis.

I have decided to mount the Z motor on top of the Z slide so that the screw now goes down with the axis rather than sticking up in the air

Attached is a back view of the latest design idea:  The screw goes into a hole through the back of the mounting plate where it screws into a PTFE nut .  Two of the rollers are mounted on flextures which can be adjusted to close any play to the extrusion.


Still not sure what to do about extruder and hot end  ?   I may have a go at making them   . What are the panls thoughts on Bowen verses direct mounted drive?


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