3D Printed 3D Printer

grabcad

This project, above all else, is a challenge. This started out as a personal exercise in design. I have some leftover 3D printer parts from other printers that no longer function. This coupled with one working 3D printer left me with one goal: to make a new 3D printer. This new printer was to have a single part acting as the base, as few purchased parts as possible, without sacrificing functionality or accuracy. This left me to print as many parts as I could, while trying to limit the number of fasteners holding it together. With all these goals in mind, I give you what you see before you: A mostly 3D printed 3D printer. The main purpose of this project started as a personal challenge. Then, over time, it evolved past this idea. The new goal is to serve as inspiration. Through the use of mass produced, easily accessible, and off-brand parts, this machine is fairly inexpensive. The idea is a tinkerer who has an interest in 3D printing can have these parts printed at a local makerspace, or through online printing sites, and put together a low cost, compact, and functional 3D printer to make small figurines, or small prototype parts for a larger project. This of course can be done with the aid of an instruction manual or an online instructional video made further down the project timeline. This printer is not a feature packed machine, but instead a steppingstone to inspire creation and maybe spark enough interest to pursue this hobby further.NOTE: The images you see may or may not reflect current models. Some of the models have undergone modifications after the rendering was complete. Nothing major, but something to keep in mind. Also, some reference models were used to make this, like the fasteners.