Next two shots of stuff

first build pics

Biggest thing so far is peeling all the paper backing from the acrylic parts....a lot of it there.   Here are the first pics showing the basic framework.

 basic frame pieces

It stands!!!!

Y axis motor mount

Next evolution, with threaded rod spacers....

The bowing is part illusion, plus the rods aren't adjusted or tightened down yet.

that's it so far...

Looking forward

I'll be following your printer build, interested to know how it all goes together.

Thanks for sharing.

Also following

I'm also following.  

John

Your blog efforts may help

Your blog efforts may help others like myself "get off the fence". 

Regards,

Jerry

not to worry my children...lol

I want to make this a thread for everyone to get a taste of how easy this all is.   Unfortunately, 'hi-tech' scares a lot of people.   However, to give you an example...so far, all of the work on the printer kit is done with a phillips screwdriver.   Obviously, the big problem down the line is making CAD drawings of all the prints everyone wants to do.   But, I think a repository of common CAD files(.STL files) could make this a very simple process.   If these files are out there in a free repository, you can print them out on your own printer, or on anyone elses, whether they charge for it or not.   I saw that resin depository machines might over run the current 3d printers, but unless I am very wrong, the .STL(3d mesh files) will be the same for anything.   

There is a web site for model railroad 3d projects, but I don't think it is where we need to go next.   A simple repository for these files in each of the most popular scales, in my opinion, could really advance the hobby where this technology exists now   My thoughts gather around a website, where you can choose any particularly sized window, door, brick wall, etc, and be able to print it directly.   For those with a slight amount of skill beyond that, you can take these files and resize/reshape./etc... to anything you want and print on your own printer, or someone locally.   there is already a network of 3d printing shops that have better than hobbyist level printers ready and willing to work with you to make what you want.   I found a shop about 6 miles away that says he does printing as well as CAD design work.   Currently, I want to get a baseline of what I can do on my own before paying for someone else to do it, but I can also see something in between, where the firm does advanced CAD drawing, and you print prototypes, and if they work for you, you pay for the CAD and print your own, or if they have more/better capability, they print it for you, and you drive a couple miles and pick it up at their shop;

I think we are still on the cusp of this tech, and the more/better things you know, the more/better you can develop what you want.

my 2c worth.

MRH Wiki Site

I requested a new page in the wiki site to act as a repository for cad files. Good idea! I'd like to see files for 3-d printing, laser, or crafting printers posted for use. Hopefully this idea will be embraced by others. 

Don't reinvent the wheel

While not specifically for the model railroad community http://www.thinginverse.com has plenty of .STL files that you can download and print in many different scales. A search for model train yields 320 results, HO scale 173, and model railroad 118 results. I am sure some of these are duplicates, but there are cars, locos, and structures. There are also designs on thingiverse that have the tag lasercutter. Also just because something is not listed as model railroad doesn't mean it would be useful, like a sleeping dog for the porch

As I understand it resizing or scaling is a fairly simple process so lots of times the model is drawn in full size and then scaled when printing.

I would think instead of having another place to find .STL and other CAD files we simply link to the existing sites, there are plenty out there. On the i.materialise site, which is similar to shapeways, where you can upload your model and they will print it, offers this list of 3d model sites:  https://i.materialise.com/blog/3d-model-databases/

For more DXF CAD files that can be used for laser cutting check out this list:  http://www.scan2cad.com/dxf/13-sites-with-free-dxf-designs/

3d model search engines

Was just reading on another forum post about a 3d model search engine called yeggi, it searches some number of 3d sites and gives you the results from those. You can check it out at:  http://www.yeggi.com/, a search for model railroad gave me hundreds of results, many from thingiverse.

I also discovered another search engine called Aipos3d, which does categorize models to some extent, but not as specific as model railroad, it is at:  http://www.aipos3d.com/printable-3d-models-categories.

The problem with categorizing items is that ranch house or dog you want to 3d print would not necessarily belong under model railroad. And then of course there is the issue where outside the US they are referred to as railways not railroads.

It will be just perfect with time

I work for a 3D printing service firm and with my experience i can say initially building might be very frustrating but once you start working on it with patience it will pay off in the end! Wish you all the best!

Regards,

Shab Bhat

​ Custom Prototypes

ok...back to work

Left side Z-axis motor and support rods

This being the left Z-axis motor with the limit switch above it

last couple for tonight

overall view after tonight

This is the heart of this baby...the extruder hung from the X-axis rods.   Has a fan on the left with heat sink cooling the motor, and the one up front cools the extruder itself.  

To be honest, there were a couple gotchas with the instructions, but they did give links to youtube videos, plus there are a number of other videos on assembling.   No problem for anyone even slightly mechanically inclined....at least so far.

Took a long weekend off

Here are the pics of the electronics after being hung....

 Control Board on Left Side

Power Supply on right side....I installed it upside down....didn't take a pic of it fixed though...ha ha

This is the screen and push buttons installed above the extruder.   This is the only error I've seen in the kit...notice the two holes above the top mounting screws....had to drill two new ones lower to match the circuit board and the backing plate.

The challenge is finding what

The challenge is finding what you are looking for.  It does little good if you can't find it relatively easily 

-Doug M