I'm sure some one has already thought of this... However...
Why not modify a CNC milling machine into a 3D printer?
The main modification would be to make an interchangeable print head.
(I.E. I want to be able to use it as a milling machine too.)

What are your thoughts?
Easy? Hard? Simple? Complicated?

Where to place the filament? ... ...
I was thinking about locating it on the Print Head itself.  So, it moves with the head and won't interfere with the print.

Or...

Construct some sort of box that encases the whole work.  Place the filament on the top of the box.  Then you feed it through an opening in the top.  That way the filament is still out of the way of the print.



http://grabcad.com/library/cnc-3-axis

http://grabcad.com/library/3-axis-cnc-model--1

http://grabcad.com/library/cnc-router-3-axis-1

Yeap, I have thought of doing the same thing with mine.  Just need a good way of using the fourth axis to control the feeder and I'd be off to the races.

[attachment=4039]

Quote from Dog-One on August 13th, 2013, 04:46 PM

Yeap, I have thought of doing the same thing with mine.  Just need a good way of using the fourth axis to control the feeder and I'd be off to the races.

http://www.probotix.com/4_axis_stepper_motor_driver_kits/

Where is the 4th stepper motor and what does it control?
(I understand the X,Y, & Z)  I don't get the 4th or even 5 axis.
What do they control normally?

Quote from Ravenous Emu on August 13th, 2013, 05:40 PM

http://www.probotix.com/4_axis_stepper_motor_driver_kits/

Where is the 4th stepper motor and what does it control?
(I understand the X,Y, & Z)  I don't get the 4th or even 5 axis.
What do they control normally?

My controller box has four outputs, but I'm only using the three.  Typically a fourth axis is used to control a main shaft like a lathe and a fifth axis allows the spindle or shaft to rotate along the direction of the 4th axis shaft.  Something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjzhygzafr0

A five axis CNC machine can make pretty much anything, but you need some serious CAM software to generate the toolpaths, not to mention serious dollars for the equipment.

So... A 4th axis would rotate/spin the bed... and a 5 axis would be able to angle/tilt the bed.
Have I got you correct?

Quote from Ravenous Emu on August 14th, 2013, 05:42 PM

So... A 4th axis would rotate/spin the bed... and a 5 axis would be able to angle/tilt the bed.
Have I got you correct?

That's how I have typically seen them implemented yes.  Keep in mind with heavy industrial CNC machines, the spindle may well be in a fixed position and everything else moves.  They do this to increase the mass and rigidity which counters vibration and chatter at the bit.  Small machines for wood and plastic usually have a fixed bed with a movable spindle.  They can do that because they don't have near the torque of the big machines.

Maybe we should just turn one of these into a 3D printer. :D :cool: :P
Might be simpler.  Hehe!

Another thought for ya dog one.

Take the "runner" that holds the router.
And make 2 pivots.
1) Parallel to the "runner"
2) Perpendicular in the "runner"

(follow the top of the green router)
It pivots from left to right (side to side).
and..
It will pivot from front to back (foward to back).


Now... you've got a 5 Axis 3D printer. :P

Again, it will take some very incredible CAM software to generate tool paths for this.  If you know any bad a$$ developers that would produce something OpenSource, then the sky would be the limit, because the hardware would be fairly straightforward.

Quote from Dog-One on August 15th, 2013, 07:05 PM

Again, it will take some very incredible CAM software to generate tool paths for this.  If you know any bad a$$ developers that would produce something OpenSource, then the sky would be the limit, because the hardware would be fairly straightforward.

Sheetcam and Mach3 software are capable of running 5 axes, to buy copies of them is not that expensive. I see others running 3d printers using mach3 on CNCzone.com, just to add information and help. :D

Quote from Jeff Nading on August 18th, 2013, 07:12 AM

Sheetcam and Mach3 software are capable of running 5 axes, to buy copies of them is not that expensive. I see others running 3d printers using mach3 on CNCzone.com, just to add information and help. :D

Hello again Jeff.

Mach3 is just the controller software right?  I didn't think it could actually generate the tool paths from your 3D drawing.

From this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk7WNZ-erY8

It appears SheetCAM can do some basic stuff but I doubt it would be able to generate tool paths for a 5-axis CNC machine and cut turbine blades.  But that's now, sounds like the guy is constantly improving the software and hardware support.

Quote from Dog-One on August 18th, 2013, 11:11 AM

Quote from Jeff Nading on August 18th, 2013, 07:12 AM

Sheetcam and Mach3 software are capable of running 5 axes, to buy copies of them is not that expensive. I see others running 3d printers using mach3 on CNCzone.com, just to add information and help. :D

Hello again Jeff.

Mach3 is just the controller software right?  I didn't think it could actually generate the tool paths from your 3D drawing.

From this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk7WNZ-erY8

It appears SheetCAM can do some basic stuff but I doubt it would be able to generate tool paths for a 5-axis CNC machine and cut turbine blades.  But that's now, sounds like the guy is constantly improving the software and hardware support.

Yes, you are correct D1. Mach3 is the controller software, is capable of running 5 axes.:DThis is using Mach3 and Bobcad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrUpIwetYMc

If you just used it for a 3D printer... you wouldn't have to worry about some of that stuff though, right?

On another note...
This looked pretty neat. :D :cool: :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CqePrbeAQoM&t=23

Hey Jeff, long time no see
You know that you're officially the team leader for the forum's support team for 3D printers, right?

Quote from Ravenous Emu on August 18th, 2013, 08:33 PM

If you just used it for a 3D printer... you wouldn't have to worry about some of that stuff though, right?

Correct.  The beauty of 3D printing is that you ADD material where you want it, instead of REMOVE it.  This makes a HUGE difference in how you manipulate your tool paths.  With 3D printing you can create a void inside an object--something impossible with traditional CNC milling.  The idea here is that you can put material on the object in such a way that it never gets in the way of your print head.  Because of this, you don't need to rotate your stock for clearance reasons, like you would when milling.

So yeah, three axis movement with a fourth controller for stop/start of the print head injector is all you need.  As I mentioned, my controller box came with a fourth axis to be used for a lathe drive or simply a motor speed control of the router.  Those four controls are all you need to drive a 3D printer setup.  Then it's just a matter of configuring the software to generate the correct G-code for those four outputs and you're off to the races.

Another interesting difference between 3D printing and milling/routing is speed.  When you mill or route, there is phrase well known to folks that do it daily, termed "Feeds and Speeds".  To remove material, the cutter has to take out the correct amount of material for each revolution of the bit.  If you get it wrong, you ruin your bits or your stock.  With 3D printing, you can go as fast as the plastic will lay down and stick which is usually much faster than a machine built for milling/routing.  This is because a mill or router CNC machine usually encounters resistance when cutting, so it has to be strong and to make it strong usually means heavier and slower.  All this lends credence to just building a 3D printer from the ground up instead of converting a mill/router into a 3D printer.  It surely can be done, but you'll never get the same performance and certainly not the same speed.

Quote from Lynx on August 19th, 2013, 05:43 AM

Hey Jeff, long time no see
You know that you're officially the team leader for the forum's support team for 3D printers, right?

Hi there Lynx.:D I did not know this at all, or did not consider myself a team leader. Just trying to do what I can to help others. I don't know what to say-am at a loss for words with this comment.:huh::blush:
I do think Nate would be the best candidate for this honor.:cool::D

Quote from Jeff Nading on August 19th, 2013, 04:44 PM

Quote from Lynx on August 19th, 2013, 05:43 AM

Hey Jeff, long time no see
You know that you're officially the team leader for the forum's support team for 3D printers, right?

Hi there Lynx.:D I did not know this at all, or did not consider myself a team leader. Just trying to do what I can to help others. I don't know what to say-am at a loss for words with this comment.:huh::blush:
I do think Nate would be the best candidate for this honor.:cool::D

lol If it wasn't for Jeff I'd still be building my projects out of PVC pipe and hot glue sticks. :P  I sure as heck wouldn't have any 3D drawing skills that I acquired by necessity of having a machine capable of building my thoughts. :cool: Amazing what one link posted in a forum can do.:D

 Now I just have a problem with 3DADHD. :P:D

Nate

Quote from Jeff Nading on August 19th, 2013, 04:44 PM

Quote from Lynx on August 19th, 2013, 05:43 AM

Hey Jeff, long time no see
You know that you're officially the team leader for the forum's support team for 3D printers, right?

Hi there Lynx.:D I did not know this at all, or did not consider myself a team leader. Just trying to do what I can to help others. I don't know what to say-am at a loss for words with this comment.:huh::blush:
I do think Nate would be the best candidate for this honor.:cool::D

Just kidding Jeff, I/me/myself consider you to be the one who knows his way around a 3D printer, so I and I alone nominated you team leader here
Good to see you around though, we're lucky to have you here

Quote from Lynx on August 20th, 2013, 08:51 AM

Quote from Jeff Nading on August 19th, 2013, 04:44 PM

Quote from Lynx on August 19th, 2013, 05:43 AM

Hey Jeff, long time no see
You know that you're officially the team leader for the forum's support team for 3D printers, right?

Hi there Lynx.:D I did not know this at all, or did not consider myself a team leader. Just trying to do what I can to help others. I don't know what to say-am at a loss for words with this comment.:huh::blush:
I do think Nate would be the best candidate for this honor.:cool::D

Just kidding Jeff, I/me/myself consider you to be the one who knows his way around a 3D printer, so I and I alone nominated you team leader here
Good to see you around though, we're lucky to have you here

Thank you so much Lynx, I really appreciate the thoughts you Nate and others have expressed. :D:P When I was a moderator I felt the opposite many times, but as we all know it comes with the territory. I am enjoying the forum much more now as I am just one of the guys so to speak. I will continue to be around, thanks, Jeff. :cool::D:P

Quote from Ravenous Emu on August 18th, 2013, 08:33 PM

If you just used it for a 3D printer... you wouldn't have to worry about some of that stuff though, right?

On another note...
This looked pretty neat. :D :cool: :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CqePrbeAQoM&t=23

That's an awesome machine, where I work we have three 5 axis machines. Trying to get them involved in HHO parts manufacturing. There just now getting into building quadcopters. Today I was walking to my truck, watching one of the guys flying one with his I Phone using GPS, was really something to see, perfect control. I printed one but haven't had the time or money to go any further with it.  

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