Hi to all, this will be a build log for my Delta style large format high temp printer. The aim of the printer is to equal or better currently available similar spec printers for a fraction of the cost, most comparable are starting at $50k and upwards for a smaller build volume.

I'm mostly looking to make engine parts with this, manifolds, throttle bodies etc, but i'm sure when you have the option to print any current material other things will come up.

I'm looking for a print bed 600mm in diameter although getting a print surface for this size may prove tricky. I may need some custom glass or something.

The bed base will be aluminium with locations for cartridge heaters.

The frame will be aluminum solid bar so that it is as rigid as reasonably possible. Fortunately I have cnc machines on which any of the parts I need can be made.

Chamber heating will be achieved with cartridge heaters with a custom fan and heatsink.

I plan for dual extrusion water cooled hot ends, with the extruder not being within the heat zone.

I may design a custom hot end I am still pondering that.

Any comments/advice most welcome. Further posts to follow.

@HighTemp3D I have a unique design which I will post up in due course in my build thread, there will be no bearings/rails inside the heat zone.

Parts list

Already in possession:

I have 3 of the following hybrid steppers already never used. https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Stepper-Motor-Plus/Stepper-Servo-Motor/Stepper-Servo-Kit-12Nm

Aluminium stock

Not yet purchased:

I will be using ballscrews for motion, i'm looking at these at the moment as they come pre machined so a little less work. They are C7 tolerance which should be good enough. I'm not sure about the 5mm lead yet.
https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Ballscrew/Ballscrew-with-Fitted-Anti-Backlash-Ballnut-RM1605-C7-16mm

10mm lead option https://www.automationshop.co.uk/r2010-919-1002-018-r-machined-ballscrew.html

I am looking at this limit switch for probing as it has a 200C temp rating but happy for alternative suggestions. I haven't 100% figured out the probing yet as it will be dual extruder. https://www.lamonde.com/sts060a-ht2.html

Low temp limit switch option https://uk.farnell.com/imo-precision-controls/fa4501-2dn/limit-switch/dp/9941436

Either of the following for critical insulation areas which will become clear as I post more info https://www.par-direct.co.uk/Products/SH91 https://www.par-direct.co.uk/Products/CEMT

Cartridge heaters for bed and chamber heating https://cartridgeheaters.co.uk/cartridge-heaters-metric/

I will use the flex3d g5 extruder https://flex3drive.com/product/g5-flex-extruder/ Thanks for the heads up @fcwilt

Duet electronics? please help!

@dc42 said in Please help with a couple of Delta queries.:

@scerbera said in Please help with a couple of Delta queries.:

Can I have my z height controlled independently of the carriages and so also the effector? So if the bed is movable in the z and controlled by a drive motor, can it be configured as such to do the z moves?

That combination is not supported directly at present. However, you can define additional linear axes when using delta kinematics. So you could create a U axis and post-process the GCode file generated by the slicer to replace all instances of Z by U.

One of the big advantages of a delta printer is the fixed bed. What do you see as the advantages of moving the bed in the Z direction? You are already planning to use a flying extruder, so it wouldn't shorten the Bowden tube.

Thanks, my design is continuing to evolve so 6 towers probably not required, however z height via bed is integral to design. The biggest plus is structural rigidity and the requirements for a heated chamber. I have isolated the towers from any chamber heat and that would not be possible with existing conventional designs, I have settled on an 800mm bed diameter and will want 1000mm in z axis. I'll post design features in my build thread in the next week or so.

Thanks for the information regarding potential U axis, would bed levelling still be an option with 3 drives on the U?

Thanks again.

@dc42 I note this has an unsolved tag, is this something you are able to implement? If so can you advise an approximate timescale? many thanks, Ryan.

Build thread 3

Build thread 2

Build thread 1

electronics parts list

custom machined parts

Parts list

Already in possession:

I have 3 of the following hybrid steppers already never used. https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Stepper-Motor-Plus/Stepper-Servo-Motor/Stepper-Servo-Kit-12Nm

Aluminium stock

Not yet purchased:

I will be using ballscrews for motion, i'm looking at these at the moment as they come pre machined so a little less work. They are C7 tolerance which should be good enough. I'm not sure about the 5mm lead yet.
https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Ballscrew/Ballscrew-with-Fitted-Anti-Backlash-Ballnut-RM1605-C7-16mm

10mm lead option https://www.automationshop.co.uk/r2010-919-1002-018-r-machined-ballscrew.html

I am looking at this limit switch for probing as it has a 200C temp rating but happy for alternative suggestions. I haven't 100% figured out the probing yet as it will be dual extruder. https://www.lamonde.com/sts060a-ht2.html

Low temp limit switch option https://uk.farnell.com/imo-precision-controls/fa4501-2dn/limit-switch/dp/9941436

Either of the following for critical insulation areas which will become clear as I post more info https://www.par-direct.co.uk/Products/SH91 https://www.par-direct.co.uk/Products/CEMT

Cartridge heaters for bed and chamber heating https://cartridgeheaters.co.uk/cartridge-heaters-metric/

I will use the flex3d g5 extruder https://flex3drive.com/product/g5-flex-extruder/ Thanks for the heads up @fcwilt

Duet electronics? please help!

Hi to all, this will be a build log for my Delta style large format high temp printer. The aim of the printer is to equal or better currently available similar spec printers for a fraction of the cost, most comparable are starting at $50k and upwards for a smaller build volume.

I'm mostly looking to make engine parts with this, manifolds, throttle bodies etc, but i'm sure when you have the option to print any current material other things will come up.

I'm looking for a print bed 600mm in diameter although getting a print surface for this size may prove tricky. I may need some custom glass or something.

The bed base will be aluminium with locations for cartridge heaters.

The frame will be aluminum solid bar so that it is as rigid as reasonably possible. Fortunately I have cnc machines on which any of the parts I need can be made.

Chamber heating will be achieved with cartridge heaters with a custom fan and heatsink.

I plan for dual extrusion water cooled hot ends, with the extruder not being within the heat zone.

I may design a custom hot end I am still pondering that.

Any comments/advice most welcome. Further posts to follow.

@HighTemp3D I have a unique design which I will post up in due course in my build thread, there will be no bearings/rails inside the heat zone.