This is a stub. But basically this is a project I’ve been meaning to prototype for a while. It should be a 3D printer that works more like a conventional paper printer in terms of affordability and usability and speed and reliability.

  1. The printer head should probably be specially engineered. Maybe it should be designed to deposit packets of PLA plastic rather than a continuous line. Maybe later the head should support mixing dyes in with the plastic. The heads action is repetitive so it should be optimized for maximum speed and reliability.
  2. The gantry system needs to also support maximum speed and reliability. Maybe this can be an arm system like in a mechanical hard drive with a spinning base plate. Maybe even multiple heads could be programmed to not collide with each other. Maybe even a laser can be used to ensure better adhesion among deposits.
  3. Would prefer to use sub 20mm aluminum extrusions for the frame if possible so that it is smaller and easier to handle but not necessarily cheaper depending on the market. The frame should likely be enclosed and reinforced on this smaller prototype where it is easier and possibly more beneficial for the instruments to do so.
  4. Before I was intent on using small PM stepper motors with special gearing for the locomotion before considering a more drastic drift from conventional FDM designs. Now I will do some more research.
  5. Unsure on how to prevent warping. Maybe on the head there should be a cool in place mechanism or graceful cool down mechanism if that would do anything. Maybe a special mechanical system to manage strain or add constraint. Or maybe the material itself has to be engineered.
  6. Considering sharp vertical angles I think it would help to add a pivot to the head… Still some floating structures can’t be printed without supports… Annoying.

I’m going to do more research on microfluidics, disk drives, printers, parts, machining and a lot more. Maybe there is a better design idea than this. I will update with more research and some parts lists. Once it’s more developed I will investigate probably printing a PCB and getting some visualizations made.