Robotic arm to automate 3D printing operation for desktop 3D printers

[3DVS]

Yep, just thought it Washington Aldo interesting.

I’ll keep an eye on this talk!

[Mirth]

I print on PVA and honestly, I’ve had to take pliers to one or two prints to get them off. Whatever you make has to ensure it doesn’t damage the bed. This is extra important if its got sprung manual levelling.

[DigiPhy3D]

Thanks for the input Acrimonius. I will keep it in mind. I just want to add that I have Ultimaker 2+ which has heated bed. So far every single print came off the bed almost effortlessly without any damage to the print.

[Mirth]

You’re most welcome! I was printing PLA with an E3D V6 at 70 degrees on PVA. That stuck way too well!

[Mirth]

Oh, and by the way, I’m a Product Design Engineering student and have previously done (and continue to do) NDA commission work (mainly CAD) for a member of a Fortune 500 company. If I can help in any way let me know!

[DigiPhy3D]

Thanks! I will let you know.

[Mirth]

Glad to hear it! Here’s my Thingiverse so you don’t lose contact: Thingiverse - Digital Designs for Physical Objects

Glad to help

[Beautiful3D]

@DigiPhy3D

Sounds like a noble pursuit!

Perhaps the way cost could be kept lower is by reverse engineering what the intended outcome would be.

If the desired end goal is a way to safely, remotely and automatically clear the build plate perhaps a type of conveyor belt type contraption might work. You could have a type of scraper with a very thin point (think sizing gauges) that removes the print from the surface and it is then pulled forward by ‘arms’ onto the conveyor belt and shipped into a container or waiting bay.

It’s maybe a little outside the field of a robotic arm but there’s a potential it could work to the same effect which could remove a lot of restrictions to the price point obviously encountered when trying to engineer and program a robotic arm which would have many different variables.

Not sure if this helps!

Mason
Beautiful3dPrinters.com

[DigiPhy3D]

Thanks for your input, Mason! Any input helps! More ideas the better

[MAKEPARTS]

I always try to apply the K.I.S.S. principle to just about everything in life. At least the best that I can. I think its a cool idea but from my perspective is if all your trying to do is eliminate a 30 minute commute to the office I would be loading those two Desktop printers into my car and bringing them home. Making my home my office and eliminate the overhead of an office and with the increased revenue by a couple more cheap desktop printers. Just seems like more of a hassle than it would be worth.

[Evan_3]

I would like to respond to this, I build an enclosure around my 3D printer with a door and there is insulation on the inside of the box. In the box i mounted an automatic fire extinguisher (Automatic Fire Extinguishers for Boat Engines & Server Rooms ). I leaf my printer printing all the time, did jobs close to 48 hours and u can’t stay home that long. It is a very cheap solution for if the printer really gets on fire. The only disadvantage is that the powder will ruin the printer and probably damage some stuff close the printer, but i don’t expect my printer to get on fire. It’s just a safety measure i never hope to use, but if i need it, i only need a new printer and enclosure and not a new house (and other emotional stuff).

I bought the automatic fire extinguisher at a grow shop in Holland were they sell stuff to build your own weed house (u can imagine the fire hazard of having this in your house )

U can also buy a automatic fire extinguisher they use in server rooms and campers (but they are over 300 euro’s). They contain foam or co2 and they wont severely damage the printer and especially the surroundings if it is in a room with furniture, carpeting or other stuff u surely don’t want to replace after the fire extinguisher went off.

[Mirth]

As an off-topic, why not use a CO₂ extinguisher? There shouldn’t be any reason not to and with a fused system it should work well.

I agree that ABC powder is overall the best but yeah, it can be a huge pain to clean up.

[Evan_3]

As i mentioned they are quite expensive, especially the ones with automatic fire extinguisher function. Because i’m pretty convinced my printer wont start a fire i choose the cheap option. Also the fire extinguisher would have cost the same as the printer. (link: http://www.fireandsafetycentre.co.uk/Products/1280/Strike\_FX\_1kg\_FM200\_Automatic\_Fire\_Extinguisher.html)

[AutonomousAlex]

I feel your pain. For construction lasercutting is definentely the way to go. Unfortunately I have no experience on the software side of this but i do know with a rasperry pi you can controll gpio in conjunction with something like octoprint. However I do have a ton of experience in manufacturing as well as the mechanical aspects. Good Luck on your project. -Alexander

[Mirth]

Fair enough! Though I wonder, given the enclosed space and small volume could you potentially “make” an extinguisher with a CO₂ canister for IDK, airsoft etc?

Might not be a point even considering it but I’m curious.

[DigiPhy3D]

I am big fan of K.I.S.S. principle myself! What you are suggesting makes a lot of sense provided:

1. You have auto-level feature for your 3D printer so that you don’t have to calibrate it every time you move it.

2. You don’t have 17 month wild child at home with access to almost all areas

3. You don’t have to commute by subway

[Mirth]

Check this out, it may inspire you! Automatic Print Ejector - The Punching Machine by MatterHackers - Thingiverse

[DigiPhy3D]

hahaha…love it! Thanks for the link

[easy3dwork]

Dear Prasad,

This is good idea. I also have your probelm. I think many pepole interest and buy if you can make a robotic arm cost around 200-500USD, and really handel 3d printing automate that process.

Thx

Odin

[Cristian_Sandu]

Hi,

Yes, that is definitely something I would invest in.

I also wish I could print remotely.