Components for 3D printers construction

Homemade 3D printer - what do you need to know before you start building?

Building a 3D printer from scratch is quite a challenge, both in terms of electronics and mechanics. FFF printing technology - because this is the technique used in the vast majority of DIY printers - requires high accuracy and repeatability of head positioning, and thus also relatively high rigidity and stability of the frame (support structure) of the machine. Another area that requires special attention of the designer are the power transmission systems and the selection of appropriate stepper motors, realizing movement in all three axes x, y and z, as well as driving the extruder (extruder). In most cases popular motors in NEMA 17 standard are used, providing sufficient torque while maintaining excellent positioning precision and small dimensions of the mechanism. The third "field of work" for amateurs of 3D printers construction is the control electronics - here with help come ready-made controllers based mostly on Arduino platform or drivers compatible with popular boards from Italy - in fact, on the web there is a number of ready-made programs and comprehensive descriptions of printing machines software.

Power transmission elements

Practically all popular models of commercial 3D printers, as well as DIY constructions created from scratch by amateurs, use two systems to transmit the drive. The first one is based on screws (usually trapezoidal) and matching threaded nuts with a flange, allowing a secure and stable attachment to the structure being moved. Screw gears are mainly used in the Z-axis (vertical) drive, and several factors speak for such a choice: high gear ratio (and thus the ease of precise movement of relatively large loads), self-locking and the possibility of obtaining high resolution and repeatability of positioning (this parameter also results from the previously mentioned gear ratio). In the drive of the X and Y axes, i.e. in the plane of the working table, simple gears with toothed belts are most often used, which ensure high speed positioning, easy construction and low cost of implementation. We offer a variety of components for building 3D printers - including linear shafts, plain and ball bearings, trapezoidal screws and compatible nuts, as well as shaft mounts, toothed belts and GT2 gears, and flexible and fixed (rigid) clutches.

Accessories for building & repairing 3D printer heads

We also offer accessories needed to build and maintain 3D print heads, working with filaments with a diameter of 1.75 mm. In addition to the nozzles (designed for use with the popular E3D hotend) with an opening of 0.2 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm, we also have special silicone shields of heating block for heads E3D V6 and MK8. Our regular offer also includes branded PTFE tubes with a standard outer diameter of 4 mm and threaded quick connectors for them. We also offer ready-to-use kits for replacement and maintenance of MK8 and E3D nozzles, as well as segmented cable guides, filament sensors and many other materials and components, satisfying all needs of 3D printers constructors.