Lego EV3 3D Printer 2.0

Intro: Lego EV3 3D Printer 2.0

Hi! My name's William and this is my first time on instructable.com

My first project is this Lego Mindstorms 3D printer. I've already built a prototype before this version, but the results were well...mediocre. This is the 2.0 version. It's more precise, more efficient and the printed objects are better than in the previous version, although far from perfection.

STEP 1: Step 1: Building the X and Y Axis

You'll need:

- 2 large (16x32) lego plates

- About 30 Lego gear racks (4x1)

- Long and thin Lego bricks

I think that the image explains pretty well how to build the X and Y axis so I hope you won't need any further information for this step.

STEP 2: Step 2: the Y Axis Moving Platform

You'll need:

1 square Lego plate (16x16)

Several long Lego Technic bricks with holes (Number depends on the size)

Some Lego pins

2 large Lego gears

2 small Lego gears

STEP 3: Step 3: the X Axis Crane

You'll need:

Lots of Lego blocks

A 16x12 Lego plate (or a few smaller plates put together)

Those crane Lego parts (Found in the old "Lego Mars Mission" sets or some Lego train sets)

Some Lego Technic parts with holes

STEP 4: Step 4: the X Axis Crane Motor

Similar to the Y axis platform motor, the X axis motor needs to be wider, in order to stabilize the crane.

Once built, you'll only need to attach the X motor beneath the crane.

STEP 5: Step 5: the Z Axis Motor

You'll need:

1 Large EV3 motor

some twine

2 Lego tyres

2 Medium Lego gears

When finished, just attach the motor to the cranes' front arms.

STEP 6: Step 6: the Extruder

NOTE: attache the extruder to the Z axis motor ONLY after step 7

You'll need:

Some Lego Technic parts with holes

A glue gun (with glue stick)

A medium EV3 motor

some twine

A large Lego tyre

A small Lego wheel hub

NOTE: attache the extruder to the Z axis motor ONLY after step 7

STEP 7: Step 7: Balancing the Crane

Try to find a counterweight for the back arms of your crane in order to balance the crane. Try to find a balance between the heavy glue gun extruder and the counterweight.

STEP 8: Step 8: the Brick

Attach the EV3 brick to the bottom of the crane platform.

STEP 9: Step 9:

Your printer should look something like this now

STEP 10: Step 10: Programming the Printer

The image shows a program that I used to print a square.

Depending on the glue gun you used, the extruders' motors' speed will vary form program to program.

STEP 11: Step 11: Print!

Comments

[AnnaR9]

This is our company website, in case you haven't heard of Socialbakers: www.socialbakers.com.

Anna

[AnnaR9]

Hi,

We're looking to hire someone who owns a LEGO 3D printer for an event. We would pay for services, travel and accommodation. This would be between October 15-18.

If you would be interested, please get in touch at [e-mail].

Thank you!

Anna

[W1ll14m]

Hi there! Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately I don't live in America so I don't think I'll be able to participate at your event. But again thanks a lot for your interest!

[AnnaR9]

Hi,

We aren't based in America, the company is European and the event is in Greece. We would cover your travel expenses and the fees for using your printer.
If this is something you would be interested in, please in touch at [e-mail], so I can forward you on to my manager.
Thank you,

Anna

[Hitechcomputergeek.]

Hey, I found this: https://www.instructables.com/id/Precision-Hot-Glu...

The part where they modify the handle to make it a pen shape doesn't seem helpful for this, but do you think that you could modify the tip the way they did to make your 3D printer more accurate?

[donald.lv.14]

How did you make the glue come out?

[W1ll14m]

With the extruder. The motor-powered wheel pushes the glue-stick into the gun, which fuses the stick and lets it come out in a liquid form.

[donald.lv.14]

Yeah, I tried that but its not working. Can you give me some tips on how to get the glue out?

[W1ll14m]

Ah! I see waht you're saying. I had that problem too. The problem might be that your glue stick fits too tightly between the two wheels; in this case the motor-powered wheel spins and spins without pushing the glue down.

I went through several extruder designs until I found one that works (In the picture). If that still doesn't help, you should consider using another glue stick (since they come in many shapes) or maybe even another glue gun.

I hope my advice was helpful.

[Eric_Hill]

Pretty much exactly what I made 2 years ago https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Glow-3D-Printer/

[W1ll14m]

Indeed, and I must admit your version was more practcal than mine, although the construction seems a bit complicated.

I hope that that it's ok for you you that I published my version. Also, since I'm new to "instructables", I couldn't possibly know that another person built another Lego printer before me.

[symcclendon]

The song is by Deorro, 5 Hours right?

[W1ll14m]

Yep

[woofle628]

there should be a heated pad to take the object off. Amazing project though

[sapostel]

I recommend lowering the extrusion rate in corners and fixing the jitter it has when it starts on the back edge (it wiggles too much)

Awesome idea hope you keep perfecting it

[W1ll14m]

True, I hope to make a better version within the next two months. Thanks for your support :)

[Jeph Diel]

awesome! would love to see some demonstrations. also why not use the ev3 brain as counterweight? I find mindstorm brains to be very heavy with all the batteries.

[W1ll14m]

That would be very clever. Haven't thought of it. Thank you very much!

[carlr3]

dont surrender this concept has future

[Fission_Chips]

This is really cool! You could buy a real extruder for a little cash and then have a completely real 3D Printer! Nice work, though.