About this 3D model
Design & Built with the support of the Artilect Fablab in Toulouse France Affordable DIY metal 3d Printer based on TIG process For more details in English: http://reprap.org/wiki/StrongPrint Pour plus de details en Francais: http://reprap.org/wiki/StrongPrint/fr Article on 3Dprint.com: http://3dprint.com/4787/3d-metal-printer-600-euros/ For the french speakers there is an article on 3D Natives: http://www.3dnatives.com/strong-print-3d-metal/ Videos: - Lift arc ignition test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJQUvF1kOV0 - 3 Layers line test: http://youtu.be/ro6W5TgIXXA It consists of the Enlarged Rostock modified with a magnetic effector & coupes to a cheap 160Amps inverter MMA power source. Spool Holder available from Iron_Momo: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:335662/#files Wire feed was one of the most difficult item to get right (and at the time being is not fully stabilized). What seems to work the best is to rapidly extrude & retract the metal wire to make sure it only melt where you want it to melt Wire is 0.6mm steel. for MIG. This machine is still very experimental & will evolve. Setup & test phase activities: - Done: Arc ignition, process to reliably ignite the arc with the lift arc technique - Done: Arc Power & speed control to identify adequate settings to perform surface fusion of the baseplate - Done: initial metal deposition identify wire nozzle angle & position - Done: initial metal deposition identify speed wire feed quantity. - Done: Initial metal deposition identify preferencial directions - Done: initial few Layers stack-up test - On Going: identify adequate speed & power profile for layers stack-up - On Going: manage layer height - On Going: large number of layers stack-up test Printer design & make: - Working: Printer movement mechanism, cinematics from Enlarged Rostock with added magnetic bearings. (a slightly larger magnet size could be beneficial) - Working: Fixed torch & nozzle holder - Working: Wire feed motor (Extruder) - Working: Wire nozzle holder & positioning device - Working: Tig torch modification - Working: Power source coupled with TIG torch - Working: Shielding of all wirerings to prevent electromagnetic interferences - Working: Wire roll holder including brake & wire damping mechanism - Working: Shilding of the control board - Working: Implemented Ignition GCode command & automatic lift arc ignition - Working: New 160A power source 80A was clearly to weak - Working: Arduino controlled Solenoid valve for argon - To Do: Arduino controlled power source - To Do: HF ignition system Made in Fablab Artilect: https://artilect.fr/ Design Details to be provided on http://reprap.org/wiki/StrongPrint (Page still in construction)