Building a RepRap

3D Printer

Project by Kumar Anshuman

What is 3D Printing?
3D Printing is an addictive manufacturing process
where the parts to be manufactured are fabricated
layer by layer by the deposition of filamentous
material. We present the design and construction
of such a 3d printer based on the idea of a
replicated replicator, that is a 3d printer which
itself has been made with the help of another
preexisting 3d printer.
 1. RepRap
RepRap stands for Replicating Rapid Prototyper. Which is
just jargon for using an existing 3d printer to make parts
for a new 3d printer. What are the benefits to this
approach?

➔ Low Cost
Replicating parts using a 3d printer makes it low
cost..

➔ Accessible
Lower cost means schools, hobbists and more
people can buy one and use.

➔ Open Source
Anyone can build it and share their own techniques!
Well how much does it cost?
Less than 20k!
(Lesser if more materials are sourced locally)
Using a combination of
frugal engineering and
locally sourced
components and more
importantly by 3d printing
complex parts we can
build a reliable printer that
can print at scale (15x15x15)
while maintaining quality.
Parts Needed
1. 3D Printed Parts
2. Locally sourced aluminium framework
3. Repurposed parts from a toy mechanics kit meant for
children (and grown ups who are children inside)
4. Standard mechanical parts like rods, bearing etc that can
be sourced in bulk cheaply or made in house using a latte
5. Standard CNC controller board and computer power
supply
3D Printed Parts

● Parts were printed on another 3d Printer

● Reduces the complexity of manufacturing
● But does not compromise on the geometric/structural
complexity
● Many hours of labour is saved that would otherwise be
spent in drilling and cutting
● Frame made of aluminium
extrusions
● Heated Bed framework made out
of Mechanix Toy Kit
● Other parts include smooth rods,
threaded rods, idle pulleys, linear
bearings etc…
● They can either be made using a
latte machine or bought cheaply
Electronic Components
● Ramps 1.4 Board
● 5x NEMA 17 Stepper Motors
● Stepper Motor Drivers
● Arduino Mega Microcontroller Board
● Raspberry Pi 3 mini computer
● Endstops
Wiring Diagram

● The Ramps 1.4 is an open source

design
● It is build for CNC machine and 3d
printers
● Low power (12v/5v)
● Clamps onto the top of Arduino
Mega board
From Model to
Reality…
The Toolchain
● CAD model is obtained
● CAD model is converted into STL file
● STL file (.stl) is sliced by a slicing software
KISS Slicer
● Encoded gcode file is generated (.gcode)
● Interface software (pronterface) sends
gcode commands to the printer
● Marlin firmware interprets gcode and
operates printer
KISSlicer Software
Pronterface (Interface software written in
python)
Marlin Firmware

● Marlin Firmware runs on Arduino

Mega Board
● Configurable by editing a single file
● All aspects are configurable
● Lightweight
● Written in C language
● Compiled using Arduino IDE
Does it work?
Conclusion

● Low cost
● Reliable
● Open source
● Ideal for rapid prototyping
Some applications

● Rocket lab is 3d printing rocket engines

● Less number of individual parts needed
● Increases reliability

● Organs and tissue are being 3d

printed
Thanks You!