Difference between revisions of "MakerBot"

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=== MK6 ===
=== MK6 ===
* [http://beta.ivc.no/makerbot/makerbot_thingomatic_mk6_electronics_rev1.zip Download MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 vector files] - Boards and all components, Illustrator, PDF, PNG versions
* [http://beta.ivc.no/makerbot/makerbot_thingomatic_mk6_electronics_rev1.zip Download MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 vector files] - Boards and all new components (Illustrator, PDF, PNG versions)


[[Image:MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Electronics.png|400px]]
[[Image:MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Electronics.png|400px]]


=== MK6 Plus ===
=== MK6 Plus ===
* [http://beta.ivc.no/makerbot/makerbot_thingomatic_mk6plus_electronics_rev2.zip Download MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Plus vector files] - Boards and all components, Illustrator, PDF, PNG versions
* [http://beta.ivc.no/makerbot/makerbot_thingomatic_mk6plus_electronics_rev2.zip Download MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Plus vector files] - Boards and all new components (Illustrator, PDF, PNG versions)


[[Image:MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Plus Electronics.png|400px]]
[[Image:MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Plus Electronics.png|400px]]
=== MK7 ===
* [http://beta.ivc.no/makerbot/makerbot_thingomatic_mk7_electronics_rev2.zip Download MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK7 vector files] - Boards and all new components (Illustrator, PDF, PNG versions)
[[Image:MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK7 Electronics.png|400px]]


== Symbols ==
== Symbols ==
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[[Image:MakerBot Electronics safety cutoff.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics safety cutoff.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics thermostat.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics thermostat.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics thermocouple.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics stepstruder mk7.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics stepstruder motor.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics fan.png]]
[[Image:MakerBot Electronics safety cutoff mk7.png]]


=== Stepper Controller ===
=== Stepper Controller ===

Revision as of 11:12, 25 November 2011

The MakerBot is an open source 3D-printer. Great for experimenting with designs and small manufacturing. The latest model, Thing-O-Matic, has improved printing accuracy and expanded electronics platform.

I don't currently own a Makerbot.

Illustrations

Electronics

On the Thing-O-Matic all the electronics are neatly hidden away under the build platform, including the power-supply.

The electrical connections is shown in the overview image below. It shows all the components and how they're connected. For more details and photos of the assembly, check the official Thing-O-Matic electronics installation pages.

Illustrations:

For PNG versions, check the images below. Hi-res versions are available when you click through to the final link.

MK5

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK5 Electronics.png

MK6

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Electronics.png

MK6 Plus

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK6 Plus Electronics.png

MK7

MakerBot Thing-O-Matic MK7 Electronics.png

Symbols

All the components below has been compiled into a Frizing library to be used for prototyping, the connection-points has bin omitted. The original illustrator files are available in the section above.

Packages:

Motherboard

The main board is mounted together with a Arduino-controller. An external USB-interface allow commands to be sent via [1] ReplicatorG] and a SD-card slot can be used to load files to be printed in sequence locally. A row of connectors hooks up the stepper motor controllers, extruder controller, and endstops.

MakerBot Electronics motherboard.png

Extruder

This board has inputs from the thermalcouple temperature measuring probe, high-power MOSFET to drive current the main heater to melt plastic and heat the assembly board. Auxiliary connections for controlling the automated assembly plate and heat sensor for the board temperature control.

MakerBot Electronics extruder controller.png

On top of the extruder is the feed for the plastic, driven by a DC-motor from the extruder controller. The heat element is a long piece of metal tube to keep the heat and melting process even. Two heat resistors exerts heat onto the main metal block before the plastic is extruded through a narrow nozzle. The thermocouple is mounted on the main block.

On the newer MK6 and MK6 Plus models the DC-motor is swapped in favor of a more precise stepper motor. The heater element is also upgraded to a custom made heater cartridge coupled with a safety cutoff board.

MakerBot Electronics extruder motor.png MakerBot Electronics extruder.png MakerBot Electronics extruder side.png MakerBot Electronics stepstruder mk6 plus.png MakerBot Electronics stepper motor stepstruder.png MakerBot Electronics safety cutoff.png MakerBot Electronics thermostat.png MakerBot Electronics thermocouple.png MakerBot Electronics stepstruder mk7.png MakerBot Electronics stepstruder motor.png MakerBot Electronics fan.png File:MakerBot Electronics safety cutoff mk7.png

Stepper Controller

To drive the stepper motors, a controller can control the motion of the axis down to an accuracy of 1.8 degrees per step. The operation can be fine tuned using 4 potentiometers on the controller. Two dip-switches determine the type of stepper-motor that will be attached.

MakerBot Electronics stepper controller.png MakerBot Electronics stepper motor.png MakerBot Electronics stepper motor z.png

End stops

Each axis has an end-stop to signal when its at the farthest/closes point in its range.

MakerBot Electronics endstop.png

Heaterboard

To keep the plastic from shrinking during the printing process, the base where the object sits is heated by a copper maze on the board. A thermistor underneath is monitoring the temperature. On the automated model the base can roll out when the object is finished.

MakerBot Electronics heaterboard.png MakerBot Electronics heaterboard motor.png

References