Above: A quick sketch to show the general idea!

News:

The X, Y and Z table movements have been completed. Just need to get some springs from the hardware store and it'll be done! Oh, and replace the yardstick with small aluminum channel.

Above: Before. Below: After.

See updates for details!

Short Summary

I want to design an amazingly easy to build and robust open source 3D printer framework!

• My name is Jesse Gordon and I'm an electronics design engineer, network engineer, and hobby machinist and I like to tinker with robots.
  
• I want to design and build an open source 3D printer framework using V-Slot extruded rails and rollers - a design that is easy to build with minimal tools and is easy to set up and use.
  
• With your generous and gracious help, I am confident that, Lord willing, I will be able to  create a robust and easily constructed and adjusted XYZ motion system suitable for 3D printing and all sorts of other fun.
  

I have worked some with the V-Slot aluminum extrusions and rollers and really like them so far. I have worked out much of the plans already for a system that is easy to construct and easy to adjust.

So many 3D printer systems are very fragile and require special techniques to adjust and require constant adjustment.

In contrast, I'm designing a system which will be easy to assemble and require no adjustments to keep it moving smoothly other than replacing parts when they finally wear out since everything wears out eventually.

I know of course that there is no free lunch - somebody has to pay - and when I tell you that the machine will be easy to build and use, you are quite right to ask "What's the catch? Why don't other 3D printer makers do it?" Here's the answer: My design is a little more bulky. It's height and depth are twice it's working area. So, if you have a 12x12x12 inch working area, it will be a bit over 24 inches tall and 24 inches deep (front to back) and a bit over 12 inches wide. I can trade off Cute and get Robust and Simple.

Once I've built some prototypes and worked out the wrinkles, anybody with access to a drill motor (Drill press preferred but not required) should be able to build one entirely from pre-cut aluminum extrusions and precut aluminum plates which can be ordered from places like onlinemetals.com -- and all for just $200 to $300 (not including control electronics or hot end plastic printing head.)

(Of course these prices are estimated. I won't know the exact materials cost until I'm done!)

What We Need & What You Get

Funding need details:

• I need your kind and generous funding to buy aluminum extrusions, rollers, hardware. In the end, I believe each kit will contain between $200 to $300 of materials but because I haven't built a kit yet I am estimating $700 per kit in case I build one version and find a better way to do it and have to re-do it! I don't want anything to get in the way of me delivering a great kit!
  
• I have created all sorts of cool perks all the way from emailed plans to a full kit of everything you need!
  
• I'm hoping that I'll get funded enough to build at least one kit which will allow me to finish the design and test it. Then I'll have plans and can fulfill all other perks! Even if I don't get funded enough to build a kit I'll still find some way to build and test the plans, then I can fulfill all the perks for plans.
• The system I have in mind is just the XYZ motion assembly. It does not include extrusion hot ends or motor drivers or electronics. It may include motor mount but because of the V-Slot extrusion you will be able to easily attach your own motor mounts for whatever motors you want.
• The dimensions of this system will be roughly half a meter wide, one meter tall, and one meter deep (front to back.) This will allow me to use pre-cut 1-meter lengths of extrusion without me or you having to cut them to another length.
• The working area is to be about 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 meters, roughly.
• The video mentioned in the perks will show how to assemble all the pieces.
• The parts list will show what to get from where.
  

The Impact

I believe this design will open up a whole new way of thinking when it comes to 3D printers!

This one really will be designed to be built at home with minimal tools!

Risks & Challenges

There is of course the risk that I find after building it that I can't make it work. However I do not think this is a likely risk. I have worked already some with the V-Slot rollers and spent some time figuring up how it would all go together.

I really believe it will work out beautifully!

One of the biggest challenges I foresee is just time. Because I work full time this is a nights/weekends project, so it will move slowly but I will post pictures and video updates of the progress so everybody can see how it is coming along.

Other Ways You Can Help