Large 3D Printer Idea.

[Legion]

I have a few of the same electric garage door motors that seem to be dead. "about 10 of e'm"
They all have a long 4 Meter beam attached with a chain drive.
The motors use 12V at around 2 amps I think.
The motors run but the motor controllers are burnt out.

I have no use for them..
Do you think this has potential to be a 3D printer?

[semicolo]

There's probably too much play in the rails to be very accurate, but why not?

[caleb]

When you scale up, you start having to deal with the inertia of the system more. Your chain and extruder are going to weigh a fair amount, so you'll need some really beefy motors to control them, or just go much much slower than normal.

I've seen some pretty huge ones, so it is possible.

[Legion]

I managed to lift 120 KG with just 1 motor.
I'm just thinking if it would not be smarter to fit a smaller accurate extruder to my larger system.
When the smaller one has finished it's section.. the larger section moves on to the next section.. smaller unit continue's..

So the larger motors and frame just provide space for moving the smaller unit where out of reach..

good idea?

[caleb]

That's a cool idea. Sounds like a nightmare to get it to print accurately, but it would be cool. Another alternative is to use a large extruder and a different material. There is a massive 3d printer that lays down layers of a concrete like substance to print walls. I've only seen a proof of concept, but that was pretty cool. Something in the middle could print furniture and stuff.

Check out at about 1minute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yv-IWdSdns

there is also the kamemaker, which is a cargo container sized printer made by ultimaker.
http://hackaday.com/2012/09/24/turning- ... d-printer/

[Legion]

Very cool idea's.. thanks.
I'll start experimenting by seeing how accurately I can move the motor back and forth to the same positions.

[Legion]

Ok...
I used a IR led and IR sensor positioned over the gear set closest to the motor.
So I can see exactly how many ticks pass at a more accurate level.
However when stoping the motor glides a bit.. meaning i will have to add a brake or use PWM for braking.

[caleb]

awesome, keep us updated! be sure to take pictures along the way.

materials to consider:
1. spray paint (I know, this would be more like a giant plotter, but it would be awesome)
2. expanding foam insulation (ugly but fairly strong). You could pre shape it with a fairly long nozzle to help reduce deformation a little bit, however you'll never be able to print anything pretty, only lumpy and strong.
3. whipped cream. (I dunno, just sounds like fun)

[Legion]

awesome, keep us updated! be sure to take pictures along the way.

materials to consider:
1. spray paint (I know, this would be more like a giant plotter, but it would be awesome)
2. expanding foam insulation (ugly but fairly strong). You could pre shape it with a fairly long nozzle to help reduce deformation a little bit, however you'll never be able to print anything pretty, only lumpy and strong.
3. whipped cream. (I dunno, just sounds like fun)

Some great idea's.
hahaha
Number 3 got me thinking about freezing ice or ice cream for matter.
How ever that would require me build a big refrigerator.. not in my budget.

[caleb]

I thought about how cool it would be to do snow. Unfortunately (fortunately) I don't live where there is enough snow reliably to trap.