When I originally formed my plan to build a 3d printer, I had purchased the recently published book "Printing in Plastic: Build Your Own 3D Printer" by Patrick Hood-Daniel. The book details how to build a 3d printer called the WhiteAnt. It's construction consists of mostly wood and parts commonly used in CNC machines.
I decided not to start with this build, partly for the reason that most of the information about the printer was to be found only in the book, little help was to be found elsewhere. Even now, (6 months after I have acquired the book) I haven’t been able to find much information online. Because of the abundance of websites devoted to the reprap project and the amount of experience available in active forums, I decided that building the Prusa Mendel 3d printer would be the easiest and fastest way to learn.
Now that I have built a reprap printer and have a strong understanding how a basic 3d printer system works, I’m ready to experiment with building a larger machine, and I think, going with my initial plan of building the WhiteAnt is a good way to accomplish this.
Here's a list of where I’ve sourced out all the parts for the WhiteAnt:
Almost all the hardware was ordered from http://www.boltdepot.com/
The barrel nuts, Simpson Strong-Ties and threaded rods are from Home Depot
The v-groove bearings are from VXB Ball Bearings
The other bearings, precision threaded rod, collars, couplings, etc. are from http://buildyourcnc.com/whiteAnt3DPrinterandCNCMachine.aspx
The NEMA 23 stepper motors were purchased used from an eBay seller
The “small red washers” I had a hard time finding, but eventually found them at McMaster-Carr
The timing belts are unspecified, but I decided to use T2.5 belts and pulleys. I purchased them directly from the factory in Tianjin , China
I don’t plan to use the specified Makerbot Gen 4 electronics and ReplicatorG software… I’m going to use RAMPS 1.2 electronics with Pronterface software.
I also don’t plan to use their build version of an extruder and Makerbot hot end. I’ll use one of the systems I already have which is designed for the reprap machine.
Once I have the specified structure built and operating, I plan to expand the X-axis at least twice as long… if not more. This will give me a long build envelope which I’m characterizing as a landscape printer.
I think the WhiteAnt’s basic wood design with the added power of the NEMA 23 stepper motors will provide an adequate testing machine for a larger build envelope and also for later experimentation using a dual extrusion system. I didn't document my Prusa Mendel build since there seems to be plenty of this information online, but I will with this printer.
Richard, have you put together the parts list for the WhiteAnt? nuts, bolts, etc. I am planning to build this machine also, I'm drawing up the pieces in TurboCAD, but not looking forward to counting all the hardware pieces, screw lengths, etc.
ReplyDeleteCharlie
p.s. is that image from sketchup?
I would have prefered metric but the plans call for SAE hardware. Here's my list:
ReplyDelete1 box of 35 - Spacers, Nylon white, #6, 1/4" (1/4" O.D.)
4 pieces - Spacers, Nylon white, #6, 1/2" (1/4" O.D.)
4 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, 18-8, 3/8"-16 x 2-1/2"
1 box of 100 - Hex nuts, Zinc plated steel, 1/4"-20
1 piece - Hex nuts, Zinc plated steel, 5/16"-18
1 box of 100 - Hex machine screw nuts, Zinc plated steel, #6-32
1 box of 100 - Hex machine screw nuts, Zinc plated steel, #8-32
10 pieces - Hex machine screw nuts, Zinc plated steel, #10-32
8 pieces - SAE flat washers, Zinc plated steel, #8
8 pieces - Fender washers, Zinc plated steel, 3/8" x 1"
1 piece - Hex bolts, Zinc plated grade 2 steel, 5/16"-18 x 1"
4 pieces - Hex nuts, Stainless steel 18-8, 3/8"-16
18 pieces - Flat washers, Stainless steel 18-8, #6
8 pieces - Flat washers, Stainless steel 18-8, #10
24 pieces - Wood screws, Phillips flat head, Zinc plated steel, #4 x 3/4"
7 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated steel, #6-32 x 1"
15 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, #6-32 x 1-1/4"
16 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, #8-32 x 3/4"
25 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, #8-32 x 1"
4 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, #8-32 x 1-1/4"
14 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, 1/4"-20 x 1-1/2"
8 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, 1/4"-20 x 2"
3 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, 1/4"-20 x 2-1/2"
3 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated steel, 1/4"-20 x 3"
8 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, 1/4"-20 x 3-1/2"
4 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated steel, 1/4"-20 x 4"
4 pieces - Machine screws, Phillips pan head, Zinc plated, #10-32 x 1-1/2"
I have a lot going on right now, but if you check back later I plan to start my build soon. I just received my last parts order today. The rendering of the WhiteAnt I got from the RepRap wiki and I used photoshop to elongate the x-axis for illustrative purposes only.
Richard, thanks for the hardware parts list. I did a count from the tutorials on Patrick's site and came up with something very similar. I've started my build, and will blog from time to time here --> http://whiteant3d.tumblr.com/
DeleteVery nice. The craftsmanship is amazing. I think the carry handle on the back adds a lot to the overall look.
ReplyDeletetnx Richard, I have a 2'x4' CNC so making the parts is a little easier now. I noticed you mentioned where you bought belts and pulleys. Looks like that is a bulk order. If you'd be interested in selling a couple of pulleys and a section of belt - let me know.
DeleteI intend to use the WhiteAnt as a test printer for a much larger printer I plan to build next year. So I've been ordering some parts in bulk since I will need them later. I noticed an eBay seller with T2.5 belt and pulleys a while ago. I think he has a web store and keeps them in stock. You may want to check there. I know there are plenty of T5's available. That's what I have on my Prusa Mendel.
ReplyDeleteSuperb blog!!!! I have read this post, That's truly big help for me, Keep sharing like this. Good luck!!!
ReplyDelete