Sep 15, 2015 | By Benedict
Just last week we took a look at Fusion’s portable, ultra-affordable RepRap 3D printer. Now, a RepRapper going by the name of RevarBat has developed the ‘Snappy’, a 3D printer able to print 73% of its own components, making it possibly the most self-replicating RepRap machine yet.
The RepRap 'Snappy'
RepRap, a 3D printing community project, ‘is about making self-replicating machines, and making them freely available for the benefit of everyone.’ In the years since their inception, they have become the number one budget 3D printer for general additive manufacturing needs.
Although RepRap 3D printers and their community of users and developers are not solely concerned with self-replication, the concept of a self-replicating 3D printer caught the imagination of many members of the additive manufacturing community.
The first ever RepRap machine, the 'Darwin', was made almost entirely from threaded rods, with successor 'Mendel' having a slightly higher proportion of 3D-printed parts. RevarBat's Snappy is, however, clearly focused on the original RepRap goals: the 3D printer, built almost entirely from 3D-printed parts, uses a 'snap together' assembly method, reducing the need for non-3D-printed components such as screws and bearings.
The RepRap 'Darwin'
RevarBat's RepRap 3D printer utilises components which fit together with snap fit connectors. The entire frame of the Snappy 3D printer is built from interlocking small parts which form complex components.
Another of the tricks RevarBat has done is reducing the number of non-3D-printed parts in his machine. "This design needs no rods, belts, or pulleys, and no screws outside of the motors or extruder hot-end. This means that you should be able to put one together for under $300, including the price of plastic to print parts," RevarBat notes. He is using a rack and pinion system and the snap fit connectors, made entirely from 3D-printed parts. The rack and pinion system eliminates other 'vitamins' (non-3D-printed parts) such as various belts and bearings.
Specifications of the Snappy RepRap 1.0:
- 3D Printed Parts: around 61 different parts, not counting cable chains.
- Non-Printed Parts: Motors. Electronics. Glass build plate. One 686 bearing.
- 3D Printing Size: build area of about 7.5" x 7.5" x 7.5" or 19cm x 19cm x 19cm
- Material Cost: US$ 85
- Cost: About US$ 300 (all parts, including plastic)
- Precision: about 0.05mm, all three axes
- Speed: 100mm/sec (position), 60mm/sec (printing)
The full list of non-printable parts for v1.0 are:
- 1 Power supply (12V, 120W)
- Controller electronics (RAMPS is cheap!)
- 3 mechanical limit micro-switches
- 5 Stepper motors (NEMA17, 40mm long, 1.5A/phase)
- Wiring
- 1 Bearing (686)
- 2 cooling fans (40mm)
- 1 Standard J-Head MkV extruder hot end
- 1 Extruder drive gear
- 1 Borosilicate glass build platform (about 200mm x 200mm)
- 4 mini binder clips
The files for the printable parts of the Snappy are available here, at RevarBat's repository.
Posted in 3D Printers
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