Construction
Version 1 (Matt Maier, 08/16/2014 04:14 pm) → Version 2/6 (Matt Maier, 08/16/2014 06:00 pm)
If you're building a printer you designed yourself, awesome.
If you're building a printer someone else designed, good luck ;)
If you're building a kit you purchased, don't be shy about bothering the manufacturer.
If your printer is already fully assembled and ready to go it's still a good idea to skim through here as an educational thing.
General construction
* Read the instructions all the way through before starting
* Keep good notes
* Measure twice, cut once
* Don't take risks with your eyes and hands
* Respect the danger of things that get hot, power tools, and fumes in confined spaces
General printers
* The linear motion elements must be rigid (no flex), consistent (same dimension everywhere), and tough (high wear resistance)
* all moving parts must be properly lubricated
* all fasteners must be properly tightened
* all wires must be secured so that they do not catch on moving parts, rub on edges, or bend too sharply
* anything that heats up must isolated (distance, active cooling or insulation)
* anything that heats up must be allowed to expand and contract
Thermoplastic printers
* anything that comes in contact with molten plastic will probably wear out sooner or later
Cartesian printers
* The X, Y and Z axis must be perfectly aligned
** If there are two linear controls for one axis they must be parallel
** Each axis must be perpendicular
references
* http://reprap.org/wiki/Build_instructions
If you're building a printer someone else designed, good luck ;)
If you're building a kit you purchased, don't be shy about bothering the manufacturer.
If your printer is already fully assembled and ready to go it's still a good idea to skim through here as an educational thing.
General construction
* Read the instructions all the way through before starting
* Keep good notes
* Measure twice, cut once
* Don't take risks with your eyes and hands
* Respect the danger of things that get hot, power tools, and fumes in confined spaces
General printers
* The linear motion elements must be rigid (no flex), consistent (same dimension everywhere), and tough (high wear resistance)
* all moving parts must be properly lubricated
* all fasteners must be properly tightened
* all wires must be secured so that they do not catch on moving parts, rub on edges, or bend too sharply
* anything that heats up must isolated (distance, active cooling or insulation)
* anything that heats up must be allowed to expand and contract
Thermoplastic printers
* anything that comes in contact with molten plastic will probably wear out sooner or later
Cartesian printers
* The X, Y and Z axis must be perfectly aligned
** If there are two linear controls for one axis they must be parallel
** Each axis must be perpendicular
references
* http://reprap.org/wiki/Build_instructions