i3 in a Box - Joe's RepRap

thingiverse

I designed this 3D printer to achieve a highly rigid and compact design that can easily be enclosed in a box without overly complicated mechanisms. To get here, I drew heavily on my old Prusa i3 design - so essentially, it's an i3 with a frame made of 2020 aluminum inspired by Haeckel, and most of the x or y-Axis parts from the Prusa i3 will fit seamlessly. This version uses 8mm trapezoidal threaded rods with 17mm nuts, feel free to use any other i3 x-ends you like. The X-carriage is a modified version of clefranc's Universal X-Carriage, available here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:97719 . I just added a small part to hit the endstop switch. I am using ffleurey's direct drive extruder: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:147705 - download it there or use any Prusa i3 extruder you like, or use a Bowden setup as shown in the second picture. For endstops, I'm using some like these, or just be creative:http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1037870http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30085http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:85368 The print space (depending on extruder design) is 200x200x210mm, with enough clearance on the x-axis to add a dual extruder. Dimensions are easy to vary by the length of the aluminum extrusions. *Update April 22 '15: Some minor changes have been made... - Clearance added to insert TR8 nuts - Belt guides made a bit wider - Tensioners made a bit wider - The 3-way-connector is now more printable and has more clearance *Update August 19 '15: I've changed the length of the extrusions. 430mm just wasn't enough for Y-direction! *Update October 9 '15: A new version of the bearing clips and a belt holder with tree holes for the printbed have been uploaded. The drawing I referred to was an old one, these should fit much better. *Update October 25 '15: I added/modified the x-carriage and added a new picture. Instructions for assembly To build this frame refer to Haeckel's building instructions:http://reprap.org/wiki/Haeckel Most of the rest is Prusa i3 stuff, just make sure everything is assembled at 90 degree angles. How many parts do you need? - 8 edge - 4 3-way-connector - 4 belt_guide - 4 Y_rod_holder - 3 bearing_clip_LM8UU - 2 motor_mount_Z - 2 axis_holder_Z - 2 spool_holder (optional) - Of the rest of all Stuff you'll need: - 16 aluminum extrusions, length of 20x20mm x 450mm. - 110 slot-nuts for the aluminum extrusions + bolts, or use standart M4 nuts with these instead:http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1061769 - 2 ball bearings, SKF 623 (3x10x4mm) for belt idling - 2 8mm leadscrews/trapezoidal threaded rods of length ~340mm. - 2 nuts for the lead screw. TR8x1.5 SW17 - 4 smooth rods 8mm for x and y-axis, same length as the aluminum extrusions. - 2 smooth rods 8mm for z-axis, length of ~360mm - 2 Couplers to 5 to 8mm for the Z lead screws to motors (Nema 17) or use leadscrew stepper motors. - One Prusa i3 Y-Carriage and all the other stuff you need for any other i3 like stepper motors, GT2 belt + pulleys, lots of M3/M4 bolts + nuts, and electronics. Do not forget to print some endstop holders and extruder parts. I'd love to see some builds!