Introduction: Building a 3D Printer Under 200$
Hello everyone
In this instructable I will show you how to make a 3d printer under 200$.
This 3D printer -Tower Simple XL, Maybe I should call it 3D printer of Sauron, lol.
This 3D printer have 6* 6* 6 Inches build volum and you can build it without any 3Dprint part.(*Laser cutting needed*)
If you like this instructable, comment and share this project with your friends who might like this instructable.
Thanks very much.
Step 1: Mechanical Parts List
I buy these things on Alibaba, these things will be more expensive on ebay.
This is the reason why I can build 3D printer under 200$.
M3 10mm screws *29
M3 16mm screws *48
M3 nuts *42
M4 16mm screws *4
M4 nuts *4
M4 shim *4
624 bearing *4
T8 Leadscrew 285mm *1
Leadscrew nuts *1
M3 spring 8mm *5
M5 spring 20mm *1
Coupler 5mm to 8mm *1
M3 pillars 16mm *5
M3 pillars 60mm *1
MXL 20T pulley *2
MXL belt *2
Cylinder Liner Rail Linear 8-215MM *4
Cylinder Liner Rail Linear 8-340MM *2
End stop *3
Nema 17 *4
Step 2: Lasercut Parts
Download lasercut files from this thingiverse link:
Step 3: Laser Cut Wood
Laser cutting by 6 mm wood board
Step 4: Laser Cut Acrylic
Laser cutting by 6 mm acrylic
Step 5: Fixed Stepper Motors and 624 Bearings to Acrylic
Use m3 *10mm screws attach the nema 17 stepper motor to the acrylic piece
Step 6: Build the Main Body
Install acrylic part into main body
in this step we need to use the laser cut parts that i point out highlight
- Laser cut parts 1 &4 &5 &12 &16
Step 7: Mount the Leadscrew Nut
Mount the leadscrew nut into nut holder piece
in this step we need to use the laser cut part that i point out highlight
- Laser cut parts 8 &10
Step 8:
- First attach parts 9 and 11
- Then fit the two onto part 13
- Third attach previous assembly to the end of part 14
- Then add part 3 to the other end as depicted
- Fifth attach part 2 to the previously assembled parts
Step 9:
1:
- Zip tie bearings on to base plate as demonstrated
- Make sure to put the nub of the zip ties as shown
- Place smooth rods through the bearings to ensure alignment as zip ties are tightened
- Use pliers to tighten zip-ties as much as possible but be aware of the fragility of the wood
2:
- Zip-tie the bearings onto acrylic part as depicted
- Place smooth rods though bearings while zip-tying to ensure they are straight and parallel
- Tighten zip-ties using pliers
Step 10:
- Insert smooth rods into bearings
- Secure the previously assembled piece to smooth rods with a zip-tie on each end
- Make sure the zip-tie nobs are on the outer side of the assembly (otherwise they will obstruct y-axis movement)
Step 11:
- Insert smooth rods into LM8UU bearings
- Attach part 7 to rest of assembly by zip-tying it onto smooth rods- Make sure the nubs of the zip-ties are on the outer side of the print platform
- Make sure the M3 16mm screw is on the left side of the print platform
-Attach X axis MXL belt to wood part 7
Step 12:
-Attach the nema 17 stepper motor to wood part 4
-Attach Z axis endstop to wood part 4 with wood part 15
Step 13:
-Attach X axis endstop to wood part 4 on left side
-Attach M3*16 pillars to wood part 7
-Attach M3*16 screw with two M3 nuts to wood part 7
Step 14:
-Attach Y axis endstop to acrylic part on left side
-Insert the M3*16 screw through the wood part 8
-Then insert M3*60 pillar and M3 spring 8mm to the screw (to hit the Z endstop)
Step 15:
-Then insert M3*16 screw and M3 spring 8mm to the M3*16 pillars on wood part 6
And now we have successfully assembled a Tower Simple XL mechanical parts.
Next time i will publish the updated firmware and electronic parts assembly guide.
Step 16: Electronic Parts List
1. LCD 2004 *1
2. Arduino Mega 2560 *1
3. Ramps 1.4 *1
4. A4988 StepStick Stepper Motor Driver *4
5. 12V 40W Heating pipe *1
6. NTC Thermistor 100k
Step 17: Upload Firmware to Arduino Mega2560
1.Connecting Arduino Mega 2560 to computer.
2.Click install custom firmware.
3.Choose "TowerSimpleXL-2004" to upload (Ignore Warnings).
Download hex file from this thingiverse link:
Step 18:
1. Attach A4988 StepStick Stepper Motor Driver to Ramps 1.4 motherboard.
2. Attach LCD 2004 to Ramps 1.4 motherboard.
3. Attach Ramps 1.4 motherboard to Arduino Mega 2560.
Step 19:
Connect the power, more than 6 amps of 12v power supply.
I also designed a control box to install the control panel.
Download control box file from this thingiverse link:
Step 20: The Most Important Step
This is the most important step, I know you can't understand schematics, so, i hope you can understand the picture that i made.
Wiki of Ramps: http://www.reprap.org/wiki/Ramps
Step 21: Light It Up and Print Something
Finally completed.
Test, I print a xiaomi yi camera mount to replace the previous version and it works well. so meme.
Download xiaomi yi carera files from this thingiverse link:
Step 22: Place for Filament Roll
1. M4 shim *4
2. M4 16mm screws *4
3. M4 nuts *4
4. 624 bearing *4
5. Pipes 90mm diameter 13mm *2
This pipe can fit 624 bearing very well.
Step 23:
Attach M4 screws, M4 shims, 624 bearing and M4 nuts on mainbody.
It is convenient to roll filament.
If you like this instructable, please vote me on "3D Printing Contest" , comment and share this project with your friends who might like this instructable.
Thanks for watch.

Runner Up in the
3D Printing Contest
483 Comments
Question 3 years ago on Step 16
HELLO WHICH SOFTWARE CAN I LOAD FIRMWARE IN ARDUINO
Question 3 years ago on Step 23
Hello, How can I make this 3d printer bigger.
Regards,
Reinaldo.
Answer 3 years ago
I loaded the Hex file. on Arduino, but the RepRap display does not show the loaded information. I can only adjust the x, y, z axes by the control.
Question 3 years ago
what program did you use and can i have the marling
5 years ago
If you used marlin in the software, you should skip the configuration.h file (orhn00@hotmail.com)
Reply 4 years ago
what do you mean "skip"? I have problem, LCD doesnt show anything when I upload Marlin :/
6 years ago
Hello, I uploaded Marlin to arduino, but nothing shows on LCD, and Cura says the printer is not connected.
Reply 4 years ago
Hello, have you solved problem?
Reply 6 years ago
could you be more specific
Question 4 years ago on Step 13
What type of pillars? Female or male or a combination? And what cables do we need? And what length belt do we need? Can I just get a roll and cut it?
5 years ago
I realize this is a pretty old post, but would someone be able to cut this frame for me? I'd pay for it of course
5 years ago on Step 1
did you use an extruder or what i really didn't understand but thx for all the efforts
Reply 5 years ago
The extruder used was the MK8, but can be changed according to your choice
5 years ago
what changes do we need to do if we use gt2 pulley instead of mxl?
Question 5 years ago on Step 1
By end stop do you men limit switches? if yes please tell the model number.
Answer 5 years ago
yes it is but i don't know the model number
Question 5 years ago on Introduction
hi almus yang , i really loved your instructables and i am going to make that 3D printer but i would like to know what is that blue thing in your bed ?
Answer 5 years ago
it is painters tape
Question 5 years ago on Step 1
Dear Mr/Mrs
I have to my thanks to you for your valuable work. Would u please tell me which stepper motor shall I use?
42HS02 or 42HS03?
5 years ago
Hi
does any one know how to add a bed to this?