Base layout or drawing

Hey guys, I have a heavier aluminum bed and I'm having issues keeping it level. i'm thinking about upgrading the base that the Y axis bearings bolt to and making it out of aluminum. Are there any drawings available for this? I realize it just bolts to the plastic frame of the machine so i will probably have to modify other things to stiffen it up but i think this may be a good starting point. Any suggestions? A drawing would be awesome. Or an entire aluminum frame would be awesome.

 

That's the one. I can't get Catia to open that step file. any ideas? I have a guy at work that has a mill at his house i'm going to just get an estimate from him. I'll let you know once i figure that file out.

 

ok got it to work. I'm going to look at my printer and see if i can modify it at all to make it wider than 5" or if there are any other modifications that make sense to do. It would be nice to run a Y axis similar to what the Lulzbot Taz 5 has and have stationary Y rods that are supported on both ends. I wonder if it would be worth it to step up to 10mm rods.. I haven't read much on Y axis upgrades but I definitely need to figure something out.

Actually might as well go 12mm Rods if i do this...

Ok i talked to my guy and he said $125-$150 if i supply the material. Seems kinda high i may just do it on a day off.

 

Yeah i wish we had a waterjet. Maybe i'll order everything for 10mm or 12mm Y rails and do Z axis lead screws all at once. hmm

Any idea on the difference between a mcmaster-Carr 10mm $45ea linear bearing and an amazon 4 pack for $31 total? Worth it to get the expensive ones? I know that's a pretty vague question.

 

So now that i'm getting around to looking at my machines i don't see any reason why i couldn't add 5 inches to both sides of the plate to extend it all the way to the front and back of the machine. I think extending it out would help a lot to stabilize it. I'll modify that model when i get a free chance at work and post it if anyone else wants to try it. If only i had a waterjet at work to cut 1/2 aluminum. I might see about getting 1/4" steel and having it lasered out, i think that would be plenty strong enough compared to the plastic that is already there.

On another note i think i'm going to order 10mm hardened rods from Mcmaster-carr and order the linear bearings and mounts from amazon. Pretty sure 10mm will be a good and easy enough upgrade to make while i'm doing this. I will just grind down the last 1/2" to 8mm so i can use the stock bed mounts.

Any other ideas or suggestions let me know! Going to order the bearings and rods now.

 

200 each? I'll probably build my own because i think i'll have to modify it to fit the new linear bearings i want to install. I should have time monday to modify that model to make it larger if you want to get a quote on that too.

 

Oh cool. If that's the case I would probably be down for 2. I need to get these new bearings in and see how different the mounting holes need to be. Maybe we could just modify it to fit new bearing mounts as well. If you're going to replace the plastic plate you might as well replace the plastic bearing mounts along with it.

 

This is what i'm thinking about building.

 

Good advice. That's what i had planned on trying to do eventually. Right now my plan is to keep one printer close to stock and reliable, upgrade one to be able to do at least 14x9, and then eventually build one that can go bigger. I'm still doing research, i'll have to look more into the ultimaker design. Right now it just seemed easiest to upgrade the one printer and learn as i go.

Are there parts lists and frame designs available for the ultimaker design printers? I haven't really ran across a full build of one. I was looking awhile back for a frame i could have flat sheet lasered out but nothing really stood out to me.