#bigtechtree

Project: Custom Printer - Part 2 - Portholes and Hatches.

On most FDM printers, the electronics compartment is situated below the printer, and you may be aware this can become very frustrating when trying to perform maintenance or any quick fix, the bigger the printer, the more annoying this problem becomes. I'm relocating the bulk of the electronics and wiring to the side and using an access hatch more commonly used for Rv, campervans, and boats alike.

After using the original electronics compartment cover and slicing in half with an Angle Grinder, then drilling 2 new holes to attach with, I marked the outline of the vent on the inside of the access hatch then making a new mark, giving an offset of around -10mm. Before cutting the rectangular shape into the hatch, I first needed to remove any structural supports that give the hatch rigidity. But, unfortunately, are also in the way of the new vent. I'm considering cutting away some more of the reinforcement on the hatch to allow more space for the power supply and electronics, but until I've modelled everything, I'd rather not. 😅

Along with the Hatch, I also brought x2 portholes that are used for boats. 😂 This doesn't contribute anything to the machine really. I just thought they looked cool, kinda Sci-fi. 😆 (This printer will have a theme)

They shouldn't negatively affect the performance of the machine in any way, as they're made for boats, the seals on the windows seem really robust, and the unit in general is pretty strong.

Spending a few hours in the evening to measure and model the hatches, I believe they're probably 1mm -/+ tolerance from the real things and also give me perfect reference to model around.

Project: Custom Printer - Part 1 - My Ode to 3D printing.

I've been 3D modelling for 10+ years, and I've always loved the feeling of producing something that you've designed and modelled. Before then, I would always see on the news about scientists using 3D printing to create cartilage or organs, very Sci-fi! Or even when I was a kid, seeing my first example of 3D Printing in the 1998 movie, Small Soldiers.

3D Printing has turned into a passion after 6+ years of owning, building, fixing, and modifying machines. Over the years, I've built printers that are 1.5m tall, super fast ones. Brought broken ones/traded them on Facebook then fixing and selling them, taught people how to use them and basic 3D modelling, even one that was so tall it had to be chained to ceiling of the room it was located.

One of these printers was the AnyCubic Chiron, released in 2019, I believe. I took an interest in this printer after an impressive build volume of 400 x 400 x 450 mm and Dual Z Lead Screw and Photoelectric limit switches for that support we all want and need.

After a few months of use, I started to encounter issues. I wasn't aware at the time that in early production of this printer, there were quality control issues. It started with missing steps and some prints just stopping. It eventually developed to where it randomly stopped mid-print, and both the hotend and bed started ramping up in temperature and didn't stop till I finally noticed and turned the machine off, SCARY.

The final straw that broke the camel's back was the positive wire going to the heat bed breaking mid print. This wasn't noticeable until my hand was resting against the bed, and I could feel the electricity, then noticed the burn against the frame and plastic mouldings. TERRIFYING!

Other honourable mentions to the machine of death. Safety features turned off at Factory by manufacturer. Heat bed wire gauge under specification. Some of the frame isn't straight and holes drilled a little out of alignment.

After everything I mentioned, I decided to retire the machine, but with the aim of building a new one. I didn't know what that would look like, but after fixing the heated bed and taking everything apart, it was to the drawing board. I use as much of the old frame as possible when designing the new printer and utilising the big build plate I finish the base frame design, incorporating a custom heat bed mounting plate and using linear rails for both the X and Y Axis.

Subsequent weeks turned into months, researching parts, modelling, and designing before drilling and tapping all the holes to create the frame and build everything together. This process is slow, comparatively speaking to other 3D Printer projects, I've usually got a fixed goal and non ultra heavy modifications, so it's hard to really quantify how long this project will take. From what was the Chiron, only the heated bed and partial frame survives, this is optimistic, there's still a lot to design and probably buy but I've got a vision for this printer, I want it to be fast, quiet and I want it to look beautiful when it's done,

My ode to printing.