From CCHS

[edit] 3D Printing

[edit] Overview

This project is all about using one 3D printer to help build another (better) 3D printer!

We are using a Makerbot to build many of the parts for a RepRap Mendel 3D printer (shown below) for the HackerSpace.

Thanks to the very kind Michael Joffe, for the regular loan of his Makerbot Cupcake CNC printer, which is being used to print plastic parts.

CCHS is also a meeting place for members of the Melbourne RepRap User Group. Some of these people will be hoping to use the CCHS Mendel to print their own parts, or will be able to print parts for the CCHS Mendel/other MRUG members.

[edit] Current Status

As we now have an almost fully assembled extruder on our hands, we have decided to change the direction of the project slightly.

CCHS has a nearly working CNC Mill which uses stepper motors.

By mounting the extruder on the CNC Mill, we have what is commonly referred to as a 'RepStrap' (A machine used to construct printed parts for a RepRap). With this, we can use the machine to print parts for the Mendel. This should allow us to print some parts that are problematic to print on the MakerBot.

Note: It has not been decided if we will use the existing CNC electronics (which should be capable of running the RepRap firmware with the addition of a stepper driver and extrusion temp control circuitry), or if we will use the RAMPS electronics that is almost completed instead.

Work completed so far

Objective	Status
Download and prepare all 3D part files	Completed
Print parts for X-axis assembly	In Progress - 35% of parts printed
Print parts for Y-axis assembly	Not Yet Started
Print parts for Z-axis assembly	Not Yet Started
Print parts for extruder assembly	Done (donated by Stuart Young)
Prepare other mechanical parts	Not Yet Started
Build electronics	In Progress
Extruder Assembly	Cold end almost complete
Final Assembly	Not Yet Started

Image of the X-axis assembly, showing a number of the parts we've printed so far, and the first parts we'll attempt to assemble.