This post will be detailing some design goals and ideas I would like to achieve with this printer to ensure my needs.
In my initial Build Log I talked about how I plan to use this for not only just general fun and use, but specifically for prototyping and experimenting with various mechanical designs with the ability to quickly version and iterate.
So here’s some of what I’m thinking for this printer:
Relatively quick
I would like a low amount of time between iterations on parts so that I can very quickly prototype and design. I would like to have the freedom to set something to print and come back to it within a few hours to have something that is workable.
Quiet
It’s going to be in my room/small apartment, I don’t want to drive me or my roommates crazy with whirling and buzzing noises.
Self Contained
I want to be able to dedicate a cubic space to this thing and that be it. Very square and very straight forward. I don’t want to have to make sure it won’t have bits hanging off it that will get all banged up. The frame should take the brunt of the force, not the parts. I want it in its own little section of space.
Sturdy
It obviously shouldn’t be fragile, but I would like the ability to grab and move it with as few parts and pieces shifting or sliding. It should be a solid little piece.
Printing Materials
I really don’t think I’ll need to print in a wide variety of materials. Just the basics will more than likely be fine for me. It would be fun to print in other materials, but we will see what else I want/need to print in and upgrade from there if necessary.
Precision and Accuracy
I’m not necessarily looking to print super high detail so precision doesn’t have to be the most prioritized, however as part size decreases, this becomes evermore important. Accuracy on the other hand is important. I plan to print mechanical parts, so the printer have to be well tuned and the firmware must be aware of the gearing ratios to get as accurate dimensions as possible.
Usable Print Size
Doesn’t need to be huge, but shouldn’t be small either. This printer will go in my personal space, so I don’t want it too large, but still want it be able to print parts in liberal dimensions.
Easy to Use/Record
I would like a variety of easy ways to interface with the printer. In addition, I would like to keep a live stream of the printer such that I can keep an eye on its progress and stop it if something is going wrong. I would also like to create time lapses of the print for my own use, that stuff’s cool.
Budget
A budget is incredibly important as it will set an upper limit to this project. I’m not trying to break the bank on this project so I am aiming for around $450. That might prove tough for the quality and functionality I’m looking for, but my research so far seems to suggest I will be able to hit around this price point. I will be ordering in bulk to save on shipping as well as on Black Friday/Cyber Monday to try to exploit deals as much as I can.
Ability to Upgrade
This is quite the wish list already, but I want to make sure I set myself up for the possibility of future upgrades:
- Dual extrusion system
- Enclosed printer for a heated chamber
- Printing in a greater variety of materials
- Color coordination (if I can’t get to it in the original)
- Better quality parts in general (modular systems)
- Good quality peripherals for real time statistics
Let’s Do It Right
I don’t want to have to redesign and practically remake my printer in the future because something isn’t operating like it should or could have been easily designed in a better way. I would like to get things done relatively correctly the first time and not have many, if any, design changes to make. Of course there will be possible unforeseen problems and I will be designing and tweaking some things as I go, but I would like to ensure that the system works well the first time through with only exchanges to be made for higher quality parts. All this being said, I plan to break this one the most unfortunately. There are certain mechanical designs I’m just going to want to try out, test, and mess with. It’s very much an interesting and fun process for me, but also a great way to determine what works and why. I think keeping this in mind will help ensure I don’t overly experiment and end up with a sparking pile of junk.
I think I’m being a bit greedy with my wish list here, but these are my goals. I will be referring back to this post for reference when I am contested in a decision. I’m interested to see how much of this I achieve by the end of this project. Hi future me, hope your printer is a great one! Upcoming posts will go into general 3d printer design solutions for these goals! So lets get into next post, common 3d printer types!
