While they inform us that this a better, quality design, they still mean for it to be a stepping stone to a 3D printer design with an even larger build plate. Expanse and quality were the goals for this 3D printer, with an aversion to zip ties and bolts in this model. They point out that it’s easy to build, and a great open design for anyone who wants to customize it. And obviously working from experience in the matter they even designed the legs and 3D printers to account for possible issues with calibration, with greater thickness on one side. The parts, meant to work with PLA and ABS, are affordable and easy to find.
The printer is designed to be used with Nema 17 motors and the ramps 1.4 board. Other boards can substituted as well. It’s important to note that they are still working on the bed mounts and won’t be uploading the files until they have perfected it.
On hand, you will also need the following:
- M3 screws
- 8mm smooth rod
- 5x 6ft 5/16 threaded rod
- 6x 5/16 fender washers
- 100x 5/16 hex nuts
- 100x 5/16 flat washers
- 3x 608zz skater bearings
- 12x LM8UU linear bearings
- 2x 5x8mm couple
Special notes after building the frame are that you will need:
Two critical support beams, featuring a 5/16″ bar across the top one across the rear of the printer.
The team states that, “The top threaded bar should be tight so that it pushes outwards on the frame a bit, and not so much that it causes bending, but enough to stabilize the top portion of the printer. You may add additional supports where you see fit but these two supports have done everything we needed them to do.”
For more detailed information, check out their instructions on Thingiverse. The team stresses that they will be will also be releasing more details soon, and that anyone can contact them regarding parts or questions. The Geakbot team is currently also working on an affordable open source RepRap SLA 3D printer, and will also be releasing the plans for an 8″ x 8″ x 8″ build soon.
Is this a design that you are interested in downloading the files for and 3D printing? Have you checked out any designs or 3D models previously from Geakbot? Tell us about it in the Geakbot 3D Printer forum over at 3DPB.com.