Reprap Forums

Cap screw? (no replies)

Nikolaj — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:48:38 -0800

Hi.

The design for Mendel calls for three different cap screw types.

I was wondering if it is OK to use any non-countersink type screws? Or do the cap head serve some particular purpose?

I am asking because, cap screws are difficult to obtain around here, and quite expensive :-(

- Nikolaj

Thermistor table (1 reply)

drummerboyx — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:45:39 -0800

I have Arduino gen 2 electronics reprap. I'm have a thermistor lying around my house and I'm wondering if I cound use it with for the extruder temp sensor. Here are the specs:

The thermistor is 10k. I'm using a 2.2k resistor with it. And all together their are 3 wires that are hooking up to the Arduino.

If someone could give me a thermister lookup table that I could just copy and paste in my code, that would be AWESOME!!

Thanks,
drummerboyx

How to use the 3d to 5d script in windows (no replies)

swighton — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:00:29 -0800

I am having trouble converting my 3d gcode to 5d using the php script on the link below. I have installed php for windows but I can't figure out how to load a gcode file into it.

[3d to 5d Gcode.php

Does anyone know how to load a file into this script?

Moving build area (2 replies)

drummerboyx — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:07:21 -0800

I have Arduino Gen 2 electronics. When I start a print, it prints near the side of my build area. How can I move the build area so it's more toward the center? can I do it in the host software or in the code it self?

Thanks,
Drummerboyx

Makerbot optimized Mendel print pattern (no replies)

spacexula — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:38:05 -0800

I am hoping to finish my Makerbot Build next month . My plan to to go into full serial production of Mendels. My goal is to have 3 Mendels, and 1 Makerbot all going full blast producing Mendels.

Most people I see printing Mendels are printing 1 part at a time, but is that the most efficient way? What I WANT to do is print my Mendels this way

-Segment my prints into 2 hour chunks. Try to organize the parts into groups that

-Utilize 90% plus of the print area on each print

-Figure out what is the most efficient number of Mendels to print at once. Is there an advantage to printing 6 of 1 part at a time?

Since different parts have different tolerances for variation, would their be an advantage to using different aperture extrudes for different parts?

Welcome to the new subforum! (2 replies)

SebastienBailard — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:39:03 -0800

Quote
Forrest Higgs
We have a forum for mainstream Reprap work and we have a forum for people building Reprap and Repstrap machines. We don't have a forum, however, for people who have a Reprap or Repstrap machine working to talk about actually printing stuff. It would seem to me that this would be a natural place for talking about things like issues with slicing and dicing, heated plates, turkey bags and interesting stuff printed.

The Rapman forums has a slot for this sort of thing. Why not Reprap? :-D

Comments?

Ok! We'll call it now printing!

Moving build area (no replies)

drummerboyx — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:11:49 -0800

Basic Atmega 644 (1 reply)

reprapuser — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:55:29 -0800

Does anyone have schematics for a basic duino/atmega644 with nothing fancy like jtag or icsp?

Is there any interest in using PEEK for the extruder thermal barrier? (no replies)

reifsnyderb — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:53:47 -0800

Hello,

If there is enough interest, I am willing to make a run of PEEK thermal barriers for the extruder. I would have to charge about $12.00 each, plus shipping ($1.50), for them.

Regards,

Brian

Looking for mendel plastic parts (no replies)

PimpKittah — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:10:29 -0800

Hi
if anyone got any Mendel Parts (machine + extruder) they want to sell please email,
prefered payment paypal, state your price in the mail including shipping airmail / EMS.

I live in sweden, dont really care where the parts come from.
(Zip dest 80321 for calculation)

Thanks :P

Probleme mit 2 stl Dateien (2 replies)

ATCC — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:12:05 -0800

Hallo alle zusammen, ih hoffe das mir einer helfen kann. Ich kann die
x-vert-drive-side-plate-180-end_2off.stl und die
x-vert-drive-side-plate-360-end_2off.stl
nicht öffnen .par und. aoi kan´n ich von Programm (ProE) wegen nicht öffnen.
Ich hoffe das mir jemand von euch die Daten zuschicken kann, wäre echt nett.

Hello and newbie question. (11 replies)

Reprobate — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:29:25 -0800

Hey all, first post!

Have been lurking for a week or so and have to say i love the whole idea behind this project, it's like magic, both the creating things out of thin air aspect and the opensource side of things too, spot on! :)

So i looked around and saw all the kit's for sale, but i love a challenging project so i'm gonna attempt to build one, not an expert in any field, but i can be kinda handy.

Ultimately i would like to end up with a mendel, so will need to do a repstrap first and reuse some parts to make a mendel.... can i use Mcwire motors in a mendel by altering the mounts or vicea versa, or will i need two sets of motors? or is there a better way i have not come across yet?

Looking forward to passing on my first set of printed parts.

Unable to open some files in AOI (10 replies)

gerard94 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:40:26 -0800

When I try and open some Mendel's files in Art Of Illusion, e.g. x-carriage-upper_1off.aoi, I get this error:

Exception in thread "AWT-EventQueue-0" java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: -1
	at artofillusion.object.TriangleMesh.setShape(TriangleMesh.java:536)
	at artofillusion.object.TriangleMesh.(TriangleMesh.java:268)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGModeller.getMesh(CSGModeller.java:275)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGObject.convertToTriangleMesh(CSGObject.java:233)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGObject.convertToTriangleMesh(CSGObject.java:230)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGObject.cacheMeshes(CSGObject.java:296)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGObject.getWireframeMesh(CSGObject.java:288)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGObject.findBounds(CSGObject.java:155)
	at artofillusion.object.CSGObject.getBounds(CSGObject.java:137)

I run Linux Ubuntu 9.10 and Sun Java 6 (whith 2MB ram). Does anyone understand what happens?

Gérard

Mendel's z-leadscrew-base_2off.aoi file is incomplete (5 replies)

gerard94 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:24:08 -0800

In Mendel's z-leadscrew-base_2off.aoi, the holes needed to fix the z-leadscrew-base-bar-clamp_2off are missing. Compare with the third picture at :

[objects.reprap.org]

I think an improvement is needed.

HELP!

Gérard

Usb to ttl cable for only US$ 3 (2 replies)

Pablo2m — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:33:58 -0800

Hello:
This is a link of the project
[www.uchobby.com]
Bye

Extremely Low Torque to Extruder Stepper Motor (8 replies)

swighton — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:22:13 -0800

Hello,

I have just built a mendel and wired it up with the 5d firmware. Everything works perfectly - except for the pinch wheel extruder motor. It turns but has almost zero torque. I can easily stop it with my fingers and there is no way it can drive a filament at all. Is there a reason why the motor would do this? Is there something I can do to fix it?

Its a nema 17 driven by a motherboard version 2.2 and extruder controller 2.2.

RepRap Host Will not start (1 reply)

swighton — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:09:47 -0800

Tonight I installed the 5D firmware on my reprap motherboard and extruder controller, and am tweaking the machine to get ready to print. The host software was launching no problem, the RepRap was taking commands, the extruder was working etc. I stopped the program and restarted it but now it won't start. The first time it tried to load the host it said something to the effect of "since you have changed your machine type the host will have to restart" Now It loads the command prompt but then just gives me this.

Native lib Version = RXTX-2.1-7
Java lib Version = RXTX-2.1-7
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [0.002s/-1258606027994ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [0.411s/409ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [0.819s/408ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [1.227s/408ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [2.035s/808ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [2.847s/812ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [3.257s/410ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [4.485s/1228ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [4.894s/409ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [5.704s/810ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [6.512s/808ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [6.920s/408ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [7.328s/408ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [8.136s/808ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [8.544s/408ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [9.352s/808ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [10.723s/1371ms]
comms: tx 0->0: 0 ( = 0 ) [11.133s/410ms]

etc...

When I don't have the reprap attached to the computer the host loads fine. Does anyone know what is causing this and what I need to do to fix it?

Thanks

[Mendel] Printing my own parts, but how many? (2 replies)

Trevor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:01:39 -0800

In reference to this picture: [objects.reprap.org]

I've got the STL files of these, and I have access to a rapid prototyping machine at my school. I'll be able to print the parts as early as tomorrow morning, but I noticed that there are multiples of certain parts like corner blocks etc. Does anyone have a list of which (printed)parts and how many are required to make a fulling functioning mendel? Or even better, does anyone have a zip/rar archive of all of the printed parts, and their appropriate quantity? I have to give the STL models to my instructor who will print the parts off for me. So, I need a "grocery list" of parts that I can give to my instructor.

Thank you for your time,

Trevor.

Chemical Supplier in the US ? (no replies)

brassflower — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:55:48 -0800

Hi everyone, I was looking at the subject Spota (Fernando) created on making your own UV curing resin:

(http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?70,10142,11532,quote=1)

and I want to try this but cannot locate a good (cheap) source for the chemicals he listed:

Benzophenone
Benzil
Benzoilisobutylether
MDEA

Can anyone suggest an online shop for this stuff?

Thank you.

settings for differents materials (1 reply)

stasky21 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:52:15 -0800

hello everybody, this is my first post, and I want to aplogise por my bad english.

I need to know all the settings to be able to print my files with the rap-man in different materials like HDPE, PP LDPE and UPVC

what I need are the temperatures, the speed, the extrusion sizes, ....

I look forward to hearing from you. It's quite urgent.

lluis

mendel: one less piece of studding (no replies)

Triffid_Hunter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:20:10 -0800

here's how to arrange your studding pieces (incl. jigs) so you only need 8 instead of 9:

1: A, D2 (142mm left)
2: A, D2 (142mm left)
3: C, D1, E (21mm left)
4: C, D1, E (21mm left)
5: C, C, B (42mm left)
6: B, J1 (340mm left)
7: B, B, J2 (26mm left)
8: B, B, J3 (103mm left)

(letters refer to Mendel Assembly Data Sheet)

I came across a few arrangements with some rods having only 6mm left, but the width of my cutting disc would consume that, leaving zero room for error, plus I still used 8 lengths of studding.

Host Software display doesn't work quite right (4 replies)

jawatim — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:14:25 -0800

Hi,

I was testing the host software on my computer. It is a 64-bit Windows Vista and I used the instructions contained here:

http://dev.forums.reprap.org/read.php?12,28734

to get it to work on my computer. Everything works, but when I imported an stl file, all I get is what looks like a spiky "ball" of triangles.

The stl file is fine because my MiniMagics viewer shows it as it should look. It's image is at is at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36647774@N05/4113756383/
However, the reprap host software shows it as this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36647774@N05/4113756403/in/photostream/
Thanks in advance for any help.

Does ReplicatorG Support Stepper Driven Extruder (3 replies)

swighton — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:58:38 -0800

I have recently built a RepRap Mendel with a stepper driven extruder. I have uploaded the latest firmware to the extruder controller (With type two stepper extruder selected), and to the motherboard (firmware 1.3). ReplicatorG will heat up the extruder but will not make the extruder stepper to turn. Does replicatorG support a stepper extruder? Is there anything that I need to do?

Introductions (2 replies)

wulfdesign — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:52:07 -0800

I have a functional Rep(st)Rap machine in the Seattle area.
I went the Makerbot route since it seemed like the easiest short term solution.

I'm waiting on Makerbot getting PLA in stock since ABS seems to have
warping problems with larger prints so I(we) can start printing Mendel Parts.

I started a Seattle Makerbot Users Group
[groups.google.com]
to try and organize local Makerbot users in case we want to have a meetup.

Let me know if you have a functional RepRap in the Seattle area as well.
I'm thinking of expanding the group to include RepRap since they
are so closely related.

Larry James
Wulf Design
wulfdesign.blogspot.com

PLA surface treatment (no replies)

Ecir Hana — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:10:07 -0800

(for the first time here!)
Hello,

please, how suitable is PLA for surface treatment? I mean, if I would like to make the surface smooth, is it possible e.g. to rub it with a sand-paper?

Ecir Hana

Looking for a kit of Mendel parts in Belgium, Europe (1 reply)

Tom — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:02:24 -0800

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had a kit of Mendel parts for sale. Or if someone has the intent on printing a set of Mendel parts any time in the near future.

Please contact me with any reasonable pricing for production and shipping costs.

I'm located in Belgium, Europe.

Greets,
Tom

High torque drive belt for z axis? (2 replies)

liav — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:24:36 -0800

Before I discovered Stock Drive Products I had a very hard time sourcing reasonably priced mxl pulleys and timing belt. By random luck, though, I found a bunch of plastic 3mm pitch HTD pulleys at a local surplus store. They had 8mm bores *and* just the right diameter to fit between the studding and the smooth rod, along with a nifty optical encoder edge.

Clearly the universe wanted me to use HTD pulleys. Clearly mxl is for chumps.

So, I obtained some HTD belt, and yesterday (finally!) belted up my z axis. The HTD belt seems to works okay-ish mostly, but I immediately noticed that it skipped when the splice point hits at pulley -- it's clearly too stiff, and can't wrap around the radius properly, causing some slippage.

[I also noticed as soon as I took the splicer off that I'd left a left a full turn in the loop, but that didn't seem to effect the drive.]

Q1 - has anyone experimented with HTD belt for z axis?

Q2 - has anyone experimented with using a channel or constraint attached to the M8 rod in order to force the spliced portion to stay in contact with the pulley?

Q3 -- any suggestions?

Cheers,
L.

Host software difficulties (7 replies)

Brian R — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:58:01 -0800

Hello,

I have been working on my first RepRap for a few months on and off, and I'm having trouble with the RepRap host software.

Current Situation:
-Windows XP. Arduino Duemilanove.
-Using Arduino IDE (0017) I can make individual components run fine, although I have not attempted to write a program that controls all of the components at once.
-Downloaded firmware, chose parameters, and uploaded it to my Arduino
-Using RepRap host, I cannot cause any response from the steppers. (I already found the Port(name) = dev/ttyusb0 parameter, and changed it to COM10 as it needs to be)

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get my RepRap host talking with my Arduino? Thanks a ton.

Brian

aluminium barrel? (1 reply)

Triffid_Hunter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:03:16 -0800

anyone considered using an anodised aluminium barrel? anodisation provides a sponge-like layer of aluminium oxide mere microns thick, which is electrically insulating, thermally conducting and should be fairly unaffected by 300 degree heat. At those temperatures, it would effectively be self-repairing against the heater scratching it since it would almost immediately re-oxidise.

Another idea I had was using a large SS washer with 3 holes drilled into it, and 3 SS screws holding the barrel away from the plastic, so it would vaguely resemble this, instead of the ptfe thermal break.

any ideas on how to best implement these?

Getting hot plastic to stick (idea / discussion) (3 replies)

stephen george — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:39:07 -0800

Guys,

One of the issues I seem to be getting is finding a good way to get the
extruded plastic to stay were it has been extruded.

I just wondered if anyone had played around with static electricity as a way to get plastic to stick. If static electricity can cause a ballon to stick to a wall how about plastic to a reprap print bed.

Apparantly static electricity is used in spray painting to make the paint stick.

(from wikip)

[edit] Electrostatic spray painting (Powder-coating)
The atomized particles are made to be electrically charged, there by repelling each other, and spreading them selves evenly as they exit the spray nozzle. The object being painted is charged oppositely, or grounded. The paint is then attracted to the object giving a more even coat than wet spray painting, and also increasing the percentage of paint that actually sticks to the object.

Source [en.wikipedia.org]

regards

Stephen