Ceramic Delta 3D PrinterFinal Project: Ostalab Program Fablab Egypt

Ahmed El-ErakyIdeaMy idea was established up on building Delta 3D Printer that print using ceramic clay.Why Delta?Faster than Cartesian & other configurationsHigher parts. Why Ceramic?Ceramic clay is a cheap material with respect to PLA & APS.Ceramic has a good appearance & you can make it harder by heating.Color ceramic clay with a few drops of gouache colors or any proper colors.

Idea Inspiration Ceramic delta 3d printer project idea inspired from watching those amazing photos from Olivier van Herpt Project.

DesignDesign process was divided to phases:Gathering Knowledge.Creating design main lines.Schematic design.Gathering available materials to determine dimensions.3D Modeling.Design final editing.Working drawings.

Manufacturing Materials:MDF.Acrylic (3 mm Sheet & 8 mm Axis).Wood sheet 3 mm.Stainless Steel 304, 8 mm D, 4200 mm L.PLA.Machines:CNC Router.MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer.MORN laser cutter.Miter Saw.

Control System3* Stepper motors Jameco 238538.6* Limit Switches for detecting rail ends.RAMPS V1.4 for system deriving.Arduino Mega 2560.LCD.ATX Power Supply for feeding electricity.

SoftwareI use Johann Rocholls modifiedMarlin firmware.To create and edit 3D files I use Autodesk Inventor, an open source 3D modeling program calledBlender.To slice up the .stl file to gcode ready for the SD card that carries the information to the printer I useRepetier Host.For trying I used Sprinter-master frimware & Pronterface as a UI.

Frame CAD DesignProgress

Most of parts before assembly.Progress

Frame Assembly

MDF Cracking under assembly hammering.

Bearing Holder

Stepper Motor MountStill under construction

I have mounted Marlin firmware on the Arduino mega successfully but I did not test it on mechanism until now.

Delta-TREX 3D Printer

DifficultiesUnorganized Environment.Availability of materials.Cutting accuracy.Stainless Steel bowing.MDF cracking.Machining time.Machines Calibration. tools leakage.

DevelopmentPhase 1Carbon fiber instead of Acrylic arms.Artilon instead of MDF for frame.Compressor with container for feeding ceramic clay automatically.Adjustable pressure gauge.Heating bed.LCD/SD Card kit.Auto level sensor.Phase 2Aluminum frame with higher building scale.Heaters around print bench for hardening printed parts.Toolbox for switching between different nozzles sizes & material colors.

QuestionsThank You