3D printer help - Parts

Hello Bailey

The way it sounds your design would be similar to a Reprap (Cartesian style).  The bed moves in the y while the print head moves in the x and the whole extruder platform moves in the z.  I would check out Reprap.org.  But most 3d printers use a nema 17 motors with around 55 N*cm (78 oz*in) of torque.  The typical cartesion style printer used 5 stepper motors in which the z axis has 2.  Way below what you would need for a CNC machine.  You can always up the motors but will have to change from the standard electronics. Typically my electronics of choice is the Ramps 1.4.  The downside is it doesn't have much room to grow.  While some of the newer boards has extra inputs.  For the hotend my go to is the Lulzbot Budaschnozzle but have also used J-head which is more common, cheaper and still good all around.  I hope this gets you started.

Nate

Bailey,

Nate has it right there - NEMA 17 motors typically afford more than enough torque for most 3D printers, as they do not have the robust force requirements of a subtractive-manufacturing system like a CNC cutter. RAMPS (1.4 is the current standard) is a shield for the Arduino MEGA microcontroller board, and then the stepper motor drivers are fit to the RAMPS interface points.

I typically use something like the Pololu controllers, and you will need one per stepper motor you are controlling. A complete set of RAMPS+Arduino MEGA+Pololu drivers (x4-5) costs around $40 USD on eBay if you watch for a good deal. I also use the all-in-one combinations like the Mightyboard or RAMBO for more compact printers but those are produced in lower volume, so tend to run around $80 USD each for the same capability in a single board.

The J-head and Budaschnozzle are very popular, and available from several vendors for a good price.

Kirk

Thanks heaps for you replies!

We have looked around and found everything we may need, ill link them all below and tell me what you think, if you think i should change anything, and feedback would be great!

Stepper Motors

Controller Board

Extruder

Heated Platform

Power Supply

Bailey,

That looks like a great start! The heated bed is nice to have, but you can print using PLA or Nylon filament without it as a requirement if you are trying to cut your costs. You definitely need a heated build plate for ABS filament, though. You will need filament, so selecting the type(s) of filament you want to use early can help you decide if you need components like the heated build plate. You will also need to plan your structural elements, to ensure that your printer can move where needed (linear bearings, guide rods, etc) but will be rigid enough to support the build.

Kirk Hausman

Okay cool, are they good size stepper motors and hows the controller board?

The Gen6 controller board will work just fine.  Just remember that having a single board solution isn't always the best.  I'm not trying to persuade you into another one but just want you to be aware that if a stepper driver fails, which I have had numerous times over the years your soldering skills will need to be up to par.  Where for example with the Ramps you just purchase a new module and swap out for the faulty one.  Like I said before the Gen6 is a great board.

Your selected stepper motors will work great!

Nate

Do you know if them stepper motors would hold an aluminium frame well?

Bailey, you can use aluminum framing or other materials, and the stepper motors can be directly connected or mounted using a milled or 3d printed mount depending on what you have available. I am not sure what you are asking if the steppers can "hold" the frame though. Can you provide more detail?

Kirk

We would do it similar to Ben Hecks 3D Printer.. there will be two motors pulling up the whole cross section with threaded rods.. if you dont know what im talking about check out his video here: Double Decker 3D Printer Part 3 - YouTube

Except, if obviously possible it will pretty much all be aluminum..

Thanks!

In that configuration, your aluminum framing should be low-mass and should work well with the NEMA 17 or larger stepper motors. I would not use smaller NEMA 14 motors although those might work in a pinch.

Kirk