Tabloid (11 X 17 X 8) 3D Printer

I have noticed that several people have downloaded this model in only a few hours. While I appreciate the attention I want to remind that this is still a work in progress and is completely untested.

My intent in publishing at this time is to gain feedback and make sure I am not going too far with a bad design or missing something that could make it better.

Please leave comments if you notice any potential improvements.

Design Goals:

Largest possible printer using 8 mm smooth rod.

The longest carriage results in less than .05 mm sag with 2 Bowen J-heads and fans. (I hope)

Smallest overall size relative to print volume and stationary part during print.

Bearings move on rods vs rods moving through bearings.

Guide rods can be gotten out of 3 x 1 meter pieces.

2 x 553 mm - 10 mm on each end and 75 mm hot end carriage width = 458 mm (18”) X axis travel.

2 x 443 mm - 10 mm on each end and 100 mm X gantry width = 323 mm (12.7”) Y axis travel.

4 x 248 mm – 10 mm on each end and 25 mm X Y frame = 202 mm (8”) Z axis.

It could probably be taller and the X travel may be optimistic, but I have put the least weight on the longest axis and made the best possible use of material following that. The overall print size is close to B size or tabloid paper hence the name. I intend to enclose the whole thing to improve temperature control but as I am printing the pats in PLA I probably won’t heat the box.

So far I have built what is in the sketchup file, I will update as work progresses.

Change List:

REV C: Corrected motor mounts to NEMA 17 standard.

REV B: As soon as I had this assembled I recognize that placing the motor above the slide could would be better to reduce overall footprint.

Thanks, Ernie.

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