4 axis 3D printer

mickaelf

Hey, everybody,

I wanted to know if it was possible to use a 4th axis for printing, I understood that it was possible but don't know where to start. For greater precision, the axis I would like to add would be non-linear. The goal would be to add a rotation axis on Z.

My question is, how do we add this axis?

Are we forced to adapt the firmware in the C++ code
Is it possible to adapt the polar kinematics by adding a linear axis?

I use an Ethernet DUET : FIRMWARE_NAME: RepRapFirmware for Duet 2 WiFi/Ethernet FIRMWARE_VERSION: 1.21 ELECTRONICS: Duet Ethernet 1.02 or later FIRMWARE_DATE: 2018-03-21

Thank you in advance for your future answers

dc42

Additional linear axes are supported in every kinematics. Can you explain exactly how you want the rotary Z axis to move, and what its purpose is?

JoergS5

@mickaelf

I had an idea for the 4th axis also. Not for improving precision, but to "preprocess" the print by warming up the printed filament to better the adhesion. Another use case could be to insert a kevlan yarn before printing the next layer. The preprocess must take place in front of the nozzle, so you have to be able to turn the hotend into the print direction.

There is an interesting article about even more axis printing:
https://www.3d-grenzenlos.de/magazin/3d-drucker/tu-delft-multi-achsen-roboter-3d-druck-system-27401273/
(sorry, in german).
The print bed is tilted to avoid support structures.

mickaelf

Good morning

Thank you for your quick answers, I read the article you advised me and it is very interesting.
DC42, the printer would operate on the same principle as a polar printer. That is, a rotary axis, an axis on Z and an axis on Y. Only, I would like to add a translation axis to that which would give, X,Y,Z and W (C = rotary axis).
I would like to know if it was possible to add a kinematics to a polar setting and if it is necessary to adapt the C++ code in the firmware?
If I wasn't specific enough don't hesitate to ask me.
Thanks again for your answers

dc42

@mickaelf said in 4 axis 3D printer:

Good morning

Thank you for your quick answers, I read the article you advised me and it is very interesting.
DC42, the printer would operate on the same principle as a polar printer. That is, a rotary axis, an axis on Z and an axis on Y. Only, I would like to add a translation axis to that which would give, X,Y,Z and W (C = rotary axis).
I would like to know if it was possible to add a kinematics to a polar setting and if it is necessary to adapt the C++ code in the firmware?
If I wasn't specific enough don't hesitate to ask me.
Thanks again for your answers

The polar printer kinematics can in theory support additional linear axes. You cold treat a rotary axis as a linear axis provided that the accumulated movement if you keep turning it in the same direction doesn't exceed a few km.

I'm not sure that anyone else is using the polar kinematics in RRF yet, so there may be some bugs in it.

dc42

@joergs5 said in 4 axis 3D printer:

@mickaelf

I had an idea for the 4th axis also. Not for improving precision, but to "preprocess" the print by warming up the printed filament to better the adhesion. Another use case could be to insert a kevlan yarn before printing the next layer. The preprocess must take place in front of the nozzle, so you have to be able to turn the hotend into the print direction.

One of our users is already doing that, in a concrete printer for printing buildings. I think he preprocesses the GCode to add the coordinates for the additional axis.

There is an interesting article about even more axis printing:
https://www.3d-grenzenlos.de/magazin/3d-drucker/tu-delft-multi-achsen-roboter-3d-druck-system-27401273/
(sorry, in german).
The print bed is tilted to avoid support structures.

Many things are possible, but to be really useful you need a slicer that supports the additional axes.

JoergS5

@dc42 The only person using concrete printer I know is Kulitorum. Very interesting. For my next house I will contact him

The mathematical challenges become bigger and bigger with more axes, but at least the future remains interesting.