Prusa i3 Build

I fancied printing something big and eye-catching to show what 3D printing is capable of. I didn't design this, but I couldn't resist one of my favourite robots.

"Twenty seconds to comply!"

Does that make you the bogeyman?

N.

Robocop

Michael W

.... but how long to print?

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 21/05/2017 08:27:50

About 18 hours a leg

Sorry for editing your post I clicked the wrong button instead of quote... I undid my changes

That's OK Big Brother (please don't send the Thought Police round).

Neil,

I hadn't seen this thread until just now but bought the same printer a week ago, I think the guy must be operating a "continuous improvement programme" as once mine was assembled and (5 hours) it worked perfectly straight away, 1st part - the belt tensioner from the included SD card, 2nd part - Mesh Skull desk junk holder.

I had a couple of dodgy linear bearings (I ran Z with one each side for a couple of days) and one problem part (stuck it on the mill and removed the offending excess plastic) but a phone call to Factory 3D and replacements were swiftly shipped, I can't fault the quality, value and customer service!

- Nick

Yep, they seem to be listing them and selling them as fast as they can print the parts!

Neil,

I've just swapped the stepper drivers over to 8825 chip based units, (I misdiagnosed an extruder jam as a failed driver ) figuring an upgrade wouldn't hurt

It transpires that the 8825s will run at twice the micro-steps of the originals and the RAMPS jumpers are set for max res so all moves and speeds were halved, until I worked out how to edit the config file in the Arduino development package, compile and load the code onto a spare Ardiuino 2560 Mega. I could have changed the jumpers, but where's the fun in that? :D

I'm running the first test print as I type this and the printer does sound quieter and smoother than previously, whether output quality will be influenced remains to be seen,

Regards,

Nick

Let us know the results, Nick. I have a bag of 8825 boards.

I suspect that good alignment, taut drive belts and good assembly are the most important things.

Here's a gratuitous pic of my 3D printed Lunokhod:

3D printed serpent

Seriously interested in the Prusa now - if only they had them in stock

Rod

Oh Rod!

I wish you hadn't shown me that. A yellow and black full-size version is very tempting...

Something to add to the collection of instruments I can almost play!

Hmm, some research, including listening to some recordings, shows that the difference between a good serpent, played well and a poor one, played badly, is negligible...

Neil

I love it Neil!

Are you going to print a bit of landscape for it?

If you fancy casting some fine-detailed metal parts I'm experimenting with some filaments dedicated to that, I have a couple of kilos of Moldlay wax-like filament and have nearly perfected a profile, I also have a few kilos of Machinable Wax's real wax filament which burns clean from moulds but also need to experiment with a lighter extruder spring before developing a profile for that. I'm sorting out TPU first though, - custom slicks for Scalextric

Regards,

Nick

Can the Prusa use wax fillament instead of plastic? If so a good way to make lost wax castings in metal.

Paul

Never heard of wax filament before!

The Prusa prints flexible filament really nicely, I want to try some tyres for a Beaverette soon.

Neil

Wax filament may be new. Youtube video of 3D printing a wax figure for casting in metal. (Not sure if the Prusa can do this)

**LINK**

**LINK**

A 3D printer has been on my wish list and if I can use it for making castings may arrive sooner than I budgeted for.

Paul.

I have bought about 50m of PLA filament, but it didn't come with a drum, typically, should I be expecting to buy the maximum single quantity in order to get a drum included? or should I be concerned with buying/making one myself?

Michael W

Don't be a cheapskate! You can get 1kg of filament for about £15 delivered. At the end you'll have a reel you can wind your 50M on to.

Neil

Ah good to know! I must learn to loosen those purse strings now..

Michael W

My primary reason for the purchase was this possibility, I'm fairly certain it will work nicely but have yet to try the wax. It will print "Wax-Like" Moldlay filament nicely once you have the settings dialled in, I'll report once I've had a play with some of the Machinable Wax filament which arrived from the USA last week, the wax is softer than the plastics and will require lower tension on the extruder feed system, it may also need a G-Code override on the minimum temp for the extruder to run unless that is changed in the config file and Marlin is re-compiled for the lower min extrusion temp,

- Nick