Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Discussion of General / RepRap style printers! FDM/FFF printers that aren't gigantic!
Post Reply
Xiaolin
Reactions:
Posts: 5
Joined: February 19th, 2020, 4:28 am
3D Printer(s): reprap

Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Xiaolin »

Hey Everyone, Happy to join the community... I'm very new here and in need of some advice/help with building a 3d printer. See I live on a small Caribbean island with 0 options to source one locally, I was initially going to buy an Anet A8 printer off EBay since they were relatively cheap, but because of the shipping weight, to get it to me I would have to pay several hundred dollars more than the cost price. That's why I started looking into building one as I figured I could ship in the small electronic parts (boards, hotend, switches etc.) and I would build the rest using materials I can source locally e.g wood, aluminum, bearings, rods etc.
Also I recently took apart a non working direct to garment printer that was given to me and I salvaged some motors and stuff that I think may help me with the process. from my research they are:
5 Nema 14 stepper motors
1 Nema 17 stepper motor
2 Nema 23 servo motors
2 Belt bearings with mounting brackets
About 10 feet of timing belt

Image

In my reading I found that the Nema 17 is more commonly in printer builds and honestly these Nema 14's are small but I was wondering if I could still use them in a modest setup. I keep looking for builds that gave some idea of how to determine the dimensions of the frame relative to the build area you are trying to achieve but so far I haven't gotten enough info to start the process or confidence to start buying components. Can someone point me in the direction of a build that may be possible given what I already have??..also I have made a list of components that I intend to purchase off amazon I will list them here hoping for some feedback on them. I'm going with cheap components just to get the build off the ground and gain some confidence with the processes then I will invest in upgraded components. I was hoping to be able to build the frame using wood then print replacement brackets etc. to re-enforce but welcome advice in that area. I know I just said alot.. hoping to get some help...Thanks is advance guys

Proposed Component list:
https://amzn.to/2SH96nK
https://amzn.to/2SFk2T1
https://amzn.to/2uOVGgJ
https://amzn.to/37AvFik
User avatar
Roberts_Clif
Reactions:
Posts: 1372
Joined: March 25th, 2017, 8:17 am
Location: Washington, State USA
3D Printer(s): Hictop 3DP11/12

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Roberts_Clif »

Xiaolin
Reactions:
Posts: 5
Joined: February 19th, 2020, 4:28 am
3D Printer(s): reprap

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Xiaolin »

Thank you for the quick reply ..going to check out the links now
Xiaolin
Reactions:
Posts: 5
Joined: February 19th, 2020, 4:28 am
3D Printer(s): reprap

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Xiaolin »

I'm wondering since have have these nema 14 motors if its possible to use that as the 2 z axis motors??
User avatar
Roberts_Clif
Reactions:
Posts: 1372
Joined: March 25th, 2017, 8:17 am
Location: Washington, State USA
3D Printer(s): Hictop 3DP11/12

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Roberts_Clif »

The Z-Axis does not require a lot of torque.
Would think that you could use a Nema 14 in place of a Nema 17 if you were to use a lower pitch lead screw.

Below are calculations for my 3D Printer using 1.25mm pitch, 2mm pitch 4mm pitch and 8mm pitch lead-screws.

Code: Select all

// 1.25mm pitch is a standard all thread screw.
// Z Axis 3200, / 1.25mm pitch leadscrew = 200*16 /1.25 = 2560 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_Z / PITCH_OF_Z_ROD)
// Z Axis 3200, / 8mm pitch leadscrew = 200*16 /8 = 400 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_Z / PITCH_OF_Z_ROD)
// Z Axis 3200, / 4mm pitch leadscrew = 200*16 /4 = 800 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_Z / PITCH_OF_Z_ROD)
// Z Axis 3200, / 2mm pitch leadscrew = 200*16 /2 = 1600 :: (STEPS_PER_REVOLUTION_Z / PITCH_OF_Z_ROD)
I would not suggest using an 8mm pitch lead-screw as this may require more torque than a Nema 14 can deliver.
Nema 14 range from 5 Ncm - 40 Ncm.

Note: I use a 2MM Pitch lead-screw.
Xiaolin
Reactions:
Posts: 5
Joined: February 19th, 2020, 4:28 am
3D Printer(s): reprap

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Xiaolin »

should I use 2mm pitch screw?
User avatar
Roberts_Clif
Reactions:
Posts: 1372
Joined: March 25th, 2017, 8:17 am
Location: Washington, State USA
3D Printer(s): Hictop 3DP11/12

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Roberts_Clif »

I use the 2mm pitch lead-screw. it works great.
When I was using the 8mm pitch lead-screw any vibration near the either 3D Printer would allow the lead-screws to turn this would make the Z-Axis out of alignment. making me realign the Z-Axis before almost ever print.

So my answer is Yes.

Shown is 8mm, 2mm and 1.25mm pitch lead screws turned 1 rotation 360 degrees.
Lead screws 3.jpg
Xiaolin
Reactions:
Posts: 5
Joined: February 19th, 2020, 4:28 am
3D Printer(s): reprap

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by Xiaolin »

Soooo I ended up building it
IMG_20200306_225203.jpg
IMG_20200309_192400.jpg
IMG_20200317_042039.jpg
IMG_20200317_042104.jpg
IMG_20200319_042345.jpg
IMG_20200319_042700.jpg
IMG_20200327_005011.jpg
User avatar
GrueMaster
Reactions:
Posts: 522
Joined: March 15th, 2017, 8:46 pm
Location: Oregon
3D Printer(s): Hictop 3DP-17, Hictop CR-10S

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by GrueMaster »

Wow, that looks impressive. And the prints look great.
User avatar
LePaul
Reactions:
Posts: 3966
Joined: February 7th, 2016, 10:26 pm
Location: Bangor, Maine USA
3D Printer(s): 24 - Yes I have a problem!
Contact:

Re: Building My first 3dprinter: Need some help!

Post by LePaul »

I'm impressed!
Post Reply

Return to “General / RepRap Printers”