It has been three years, since I built my first 3D printer. The Prusa Mendel i2. I have been thinking about building a new printer for some time now. Compared to my current Prusa Mendel i2, I want:
- more build volume;
- more speed;
- heated bed;
- probably switch to 1,75 mm filament.
I liked the Mendel Max 2, but once I saw a delta printer, I was sold. I wanted to build a delta.
I do not buy a kit, because I do want to select all the parts myself:
- 2020 aluminium instead of 15 mm;
- metal corners instead of printed once, for better rigidity;
- 24 volt power supply, for higher speed;
- 32 bits processor for higher speed;
- lineair rail instead of wheels for better stability;
- 0.9 degree stepper motors, for more precision. I will start by using normal steppers;
- Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint to control the printer;
- big LCD12864 display;
- a heated bed.
So I want a delta with a big build plate. That is why I choose to build a Kossel XL. I want 2020 aluminium for the frame. I went looking online for metal corners, because that would give the printer more stability. I found those at robotdigg.com. They also have metal versions of the carriages and end effector.
The downside of selecting all parts myself will be that:
- I probably have to buy the parts at different stores;
- and because of that, I won't be sure the parts will fit together;
- and because of that, have to buy more parts.
- which will take time. But hey, I still have my trusty Prusa i2.
That was what happend when the first parts arrived. It turned out, that I needed M3 T-slot nuts to mount the sliders. I had only ordered M5 T-slot nuts.
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| The first two packages did arrive |
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| The parts next to my Prusa i2 spread on the table |
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| The frame |
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| Cutting thread for the feet |
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| Feet attached |
Parts used so far
