Down Memory Lane: DIY 3D Printer Projects by Johann Swanepoel ZS2BVD, George

Note: Original article published the 3 May 2020 just before Covid19 started to cause havoc, also in amateur radio.  After the ban was lifted the Reboot Amateur Radio Events were stopped due to various reasons.  Such a pity as this coffee drink sessions were really a source of good information and also very enjoyable outings.  Maybe we should try to resurrect the Reboot Amateur Radio Coffee drink gatherings even if it takes place every second month.

The Reboot Amateur Radio WhatsApp Group is currently very active during the current lock-down period. A wide variety of interesting discussion points are posted daily. 

The latest project discussed is constructing your own 3D Printer from scratch. I will post full detail soon on the Reboot Amateur Radio Blog but here is an appetite teaser:

The original Prusa Mendel that I built from a kit. The blue parts are reprinted replacement parts. Also the original gears I replaced with these printed grey herringbone ones. The direct extruder is for 3 mm filament.

The Delta printer based on the enlarged Rostock but with my own support structure design based on the Dobsonian telescope type of truss tube structure. All the parts were printed with the above first printer. The marine ply top and bottom are leftover cutouts from the 2 20 inch Dobsonians that I had built years earlier. The 6 gold looking thin pipes that support the print platform are from an FM antenna - thin walls and strong.

My current work-horse. An enlarged version of the original Prusa Mendel to give 300x300mm print plate. Parts are exactly the same as the original and were in turn printed on the Truss-tube Delta. Blue on print platform is blue painters tape on aluminium plate. Electronics all mounted on a DIN rail at the top. RPi in front followed by box with Mega and Ramps and then a third box holding a veroboard with external mosfet to switch high printbed heater current. Bowden extruder - also on Delta.

Recently completed printer the same as the enlarged work-horse shown previously.
All images courtesy of Johann Swanepoel, George.

All four printers comes from the stall of Johann Swanepoel a grand master in building his own 3D Printers. A lot of interest is expressed by the Group and talks are currently underway to launch a DIY 3D Printer project for interested group members. Johann will also be our tutor once the project starts. There is still planning to do and with the current lockdown in place, ordering and delivering of parts is rather difficult.

Many thanks to Johann who supplied the information and photos.