Rapman-Mendel Conversion

thingiverse

At the start of 3D printing's early days, my creative juices were sparked by Adrian Bowyer's visionary ideas, so I - and numerous fellow innovators - snapped up a Rapman kit from bitsfrombytes to join the revolution. (That moment marked the precise instant when chaos descended.) Now, years later, I am committed to transforming that outdated cube into a franken-Mendel, uploading whatever bespoke prints I produce to facilitate this makeover. \nA work-in-progress, obviously. I test all components before publishing them however. \n[edit] Anticipating the imminent launch of version 1.0 soon!\n\n \n \n Guidelines\nAs usual, I upload the SCAD files to bld34: http://www.bld3r.com/obj/5899501847969792 \nFrame: Entirely made from Rapman's sturdy 8mm threaded rods, and versatile tricolor-Mendel vertex corners. Considerable time was devoted with a hacksaw to shorten two. \nZ-axis Motor Mounts: I designed a robust NEMA-23 motor holder in place of the Mendel's standard NEMA-17. The motor had to be rotated slightly to fit properly. (Yes, I know the motors need to face downwards. The ones shown are double-ended.) zholder-nema23.stl \nY-axis motor mount: \n2 x ymount-23.stl \nY-axis rods: Heavier frame clamps were necessary to secure the Rapman's robust 12mm Y-axis rods. frameclip-12mm.stl \nLinear bearing clips: Larger-diameter clips for the Rapman's substantial 12mm-inner-diameter linear bearings. Updated with a looser fit and more sensible measurements (30mm elements!) y-bearing-clip-2.stl \nHorizontal shaft drive: \nThree bevel gears equipped with setscrews \nOne bevel gear without setscrews, to rest on the stepper \n2 x shaft-holder.stl to fasten to excess threaded rod \nbearing-nema23.stl, to replace the motor and hold a skateboard bearing \nbearing-top.stl to attach to bearing-nema23.stl with spacers and another bearing \nsprings, washers, nuts, threaded rods \nX and Y axis limit switches: They differ due to the X needing to fit on 8mm rods, the Y needing to fit on 12, and both needing to match the Rapman's robust beefy switches. \n8mm-limit.stl \n12mm-limit.stl \nz axis mounts: Three large pieces to accommodate the left side, right side, and motor, and the slide and bearings. \nxz-carrier.stl : Carries the X axis motor \nz-slider.stl: Opposite side of the X axis, to hold rods and bearings \nx-slide4-e3d.stl: Glides on the 12mm rod with rapman linear bearings. It features small arms to support an E3D extruder. It has been revised for enhanced sturdiness, reduced size, and a built-in 40mm fan at the back, directed over the heatsink. Use the plus8 one if you possess an x-brand e3d that's unusually tall. \nproboscis.stl : A small square fitting on the front of the x-slide to channel cooling air downwards after passing through the heatsink, for permanently-wired bed cooling. \nz-axis belt: Employs the 5mm belt from the rapman. Not perfect but functional nonetheless. \nT5-8-pulley.stl: Adheres firmly onto a stepper motor shaft with flat surface. \ntension-arm.stl: Rotates on the bolts securing the X-axis stepper motor, to press on the X belt and maintain tension. One 608 bearing fits inside securely. \ntension-arm-cap.stl: An attachment to glue onto the tension arm so it retains the bearing and belt in place. \nAdditional items: Will be published when they're available.