Designing 3d Printers Essential Knowledge

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Hi all. I am pleased to provide excerpts from my newly published book "Designing 3D Printers: Essential Knowledge". It is my hope that this will trigger discussion on the various subjects. As I make clear in the book, there generally isn't a "best" way of solving any given challenge, I look forward to hearing about how you have achieved 3D printing greatness.
In this first introductory installment I discuss basics of 3d printing and some of the mechanical aspects of designing a stable frame. This section also introduces the subject of "in-context design". Of course Openbuilds products are highlighted. In addition please find the Table Of Contents; other excerpts will be uploaded over time, so check back here often.

Feel free to comment here about the subject matter or anything else (3D printing related, please). I will update the book over time to keep it as current and clear as possible -- constructive feedback is welcomed.

If anyone wishes to reach me directly please send a private message at the email address in my Profile page.

Enjoy!

Neil

P.S. The full book can be purchased from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Designing-3D-Printers-Essential-Knowledge/dp/1082381861
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Here is the 2nd installment, hope you guys enjoy! This section talks about squaring up frames, and the different linear bearing types.
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Hi Neil,
Do you offer a PDF version of your book that we could get and download?
On a different point, do you have a comparison chart, or know of one, that covers controllers for 3D printing: Raspberry PI 4B with OCTOPI; RAMPS; Duet; MKS, etc.
I'm trying to build a large 3D printer, FDM style, that will have two NEMA 23 stepper motors each on the X and Z axes, and one on the Y axis.
Eventually, the print head could be 6 axis. So, I'd like to start with the right approach that would get me there w/o too many stumbling blocks.
Thank for any feedback,
JIm
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Hi there --
I've been avoiding a PDF version, afraid of it getting "out there" and I'll never sell another book.
I have limited experience with the Raspberry PI, mostly as a toy to play with. However I am starting to use some of the 32 bit printer controllers, they're awesome and really cheap! I do mention a good one that I've tried (and succeeded with) in the book.

From what I see many people who use the PI/Octoprint etc are doing network file sharing and remote control. This isn't something that interests me -- if I'm running an 8 hour job, I can afford to walk up to the machine once in a while to start the job, and check it out periodically. This is particularly true since some jobs need to be started more than once (clean bed, check level, replace filament, fix other problems, etc.).

I'm curious, how big a printer are you making? Those are some pretty beefy motors. I had built a 24 inch cube printer once, but it took an eternity to print anything worth having that large a printer for. Also the heated bed took a PILE of current, kept tripping breakers on a 15 amp circuit.

Let me know what you're thinking please.

Neil
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Hi,
Got it...my printer frame is 4' x 4' x 3' high.
Jim
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That IS big!
Are you printing with filament (i.e. PLA/ABS/other)? If so, what's your nozzle diameter? If not, what's the material?

Neil
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Hi Neil, it is planned to be ceramic clay printer. It is a proof of concept.
I've been looking a 32 bit controllers, like Duet WiFi but see a lot of flack about it.
Some of them are out of stock.
32 Bit 3D Printer Board Comparison Chart | 3DAddict
Which one are you thinking about?
What kind of coverage on the whole sphere on electronics is in your book?
Jim
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Hi Jim...
The board I have used is not in the list, although it is very similar to a few of them. It's the BIQU 1.3 from BigTreeTech, generally available for just over $20. I like the fact that the motor drivers are replaceable (like the RAMPS) with SPI AND UART support, and it has all the I/O I've ever needed including connectors for the 12864 LCD, which (I'm embarrassed to say) I still prefer over the color touchscreens.
It also has an extended Servo connector that's easy to use with the BLTouch. In short, everything I've wanted to hook up just works.

As far as my book and its electronics details, I go as far as talking about some of the pinouts and such, plus in general terms how to modify and upload firmware for both 8-bit and 32-bit boards. For the deep dives however, I point readers to some really good videos that are online and quite instructive.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your project. Sounds cool!
Neil
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Neil,
Thanks again for your insights. I'm on travel tomorrow. Have a grand Christmas and Holiday season,
Jim
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Jim --
Safe travels, and please do check in as your project progresses.

Happy Holidays to you as well!
Neil
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Hi Neil,
Enjoying your book. Presently, I'm stalled on finding the right controller,
desired capabilities:
24 volt (Meanwell 24v power supply - OB
32 bit
support 6 stepper motors (NEMA 23 -OB)
color touch screen
AUX channels for -
heater
touch sensor
feeder
Easy to set up and use
etc.
Someone mentioned BigTree-Tech as a potential source for this. Any experience with these products?
If you have a controller board, what else if need to make it work...?

Cheers
Jim
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Hi Jim --
To be honest, most of my information about the 32 bit boards is from other users/developers. I plan on incorporating one in my next project (very soon!). Anecdotal info is that the BigTree-Tech boards are competent, I have bought one and will know much more once I get it fired up.

With one exception, from a specs point of view your project should be well supported, but do make sure to give it plenty of forced-air ventilation (fan), as those Nema23's can suck a LOT of current. Don't forget to confirm that you are not trying to take more current than the motor drivers can handle. The A4988 can source up to 2a per coil whereas the TMC2208 is happier at about 1.4a. In any case, heat is your enemy.

The exception: Looking at the BIQU board, there are slots for five motor drivers, so a six-motor machine might be a problem, unless you plan on doubling up on one driver (not a good idea). Why do you need so many motors?

Also check out the various YouTube videos by Teaching Tech, he takes you point by point in implementing with this board. The Marlin part of it is really easy, particularly if you have any experience with the 8-bit version. Configuration-wise they're almost the same. The biggest difference is setting up and using the development environment -- no more Arduino.

Here's a link to one of the best videos:

Regards
Neil

P.S. Glad you're enjoying the book!
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Neil, thanks for sharing. I understand your concern about PDF, however do you have a mechanism for folks who buy the physical copy access to a digital version?
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Hi there. A fair question, but at this point I don't know any good way to share the PDF (or other format) safely. Please understand, this is no reflection on you or any other book owner.
If the situation changes I will let you know.

Thanks sincerely for your interest.

Neil
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No worries, thank you! You may want to look into DRM and watermarking every page (with purchaser's ID/name) to deter piracy.
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Hi Neil,
I also would like express my interest in a digital copy of the book, happy to pay the full price for it. Living in central europe would mean that getting the item shipped from amazon costs more than the book itself

Thanks and regards
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Hi there, and thanks so much for your interest in the book.
Unfortunately the situation has not changed, I'm just not comfortable allowing a digital copy out into the world. I looked at the DRM stuff, but all it really does is to watermark the document, it doesn't prevent copying at all.

If I could suggest, if you know a way for me to ship you a copy reasonably from here (USA) I would happily do it at no profit.

Regards
Neil
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Thanks for the suggestion. I am presently looking into publishing as a Kindle E-Book! I'll post back here when/if it's available.
Looks like they've really upped their game, used to be color textbooks like mine couldn't work in the Kindle context. Not so any more!

Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience...
Neil
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Good news! Designing 3D Printers:Essential Knowledge is now available as a Kindle EBook directly from Amazon. This means you can read the full text with all color illustrations on your tablet, phone, PC or Mac. Thanks to all for encouraging me to pursue this.
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I'm interested in the book, but how is the digital kindle edition more expensive than the paperback? That makes literally zero sense. I don't need the book personally, but I'm interested in purchasing it for my 11year old son who is interested in designing a delta printer with me.
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OK, I have reviewed my options on Kindle E-Book pricing and have decided to lower the price of the digital version. For the short term it's the same price (plus or minus) as the printed copy, but as soon as Amazon reverts to the regular price, the E-Book price will remain low.
Thanks for the feedback, and I hope this makes more sense.

Wishing you best regards;
Neil
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Just purchased the digital when I saw the price went on sale like the paperback. I look forward to going through it with my son.
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That's awesome, what a great project to work on together! Let me know how it goes, please.
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Hardcopy ordered. Been thinking about a 3D printer and this should save me many hours and 10x the cost in "spare" parts.