MendelMax 1.5
Description
Major upgrades include easier to assemble lower vertexes, Lower mounted Z motor mounts, an improved Y axis belt tensioner system, and easy to align Z axis smooth rod mounts.
NOTE: While I do not consider this a work in progress, it is still not widely tested. I recommend this design even for new users, but if you prefer a rock solid well tested design you may prefer the original MendelMax.
Instructions
The Bill of Materials is available at goo.gl/x29Kj. Note that except for the bushings, at present it does not include the components for the X carriage or extruder. That BoM is for the kit as supplied by store.mendelmax.com, other variants may require other components.
You can also get the full recommended hardware kit or a full printer kit from store.mendelmax.com
You can download the full STL file set in the first zip file. It is current as of 3/30/2012, but be sure to download any later files separate from the zip file.
To see the full model in 3d, download the MendelMax 1.5 PDF file and open with Adobe Acrobat (most 3rd party PDF viewers do not suppport 3d PDF files).
The source files are available in the MendelMax 1.5 Alibre files.zip file, and are editable with Alibre CAD.
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Do you happen to know where to find files related to the MendelMax 2.0? I'm coming up empty here.
Any chance you could save the source files in Solidworks format? I dl'd the trial version of Alibre but I cannot convert them myself without buying an additional license. The geometry in some of the .stp files isn't right, and SW can't convert most of them back to parametric form.
Y-Idler-tensioner.stl the hole is closed ? Left Side hole on the picture.
Are there MendelMax 1.5 source files available anywhere? STL files are a software artifact for distribution, and are not source-code. They are generated from source code, analogous to EXE files. In order to be considered open-source, a project must distribute source code under an open-source license, of which there are many. Software that is provided for free but does not provide the source-code files is commonly called freeware. Is the MendelMax 1.5 freeware, or open-source?
Read the instructions above please. ;-) Source files were posted the day the design was released. In addition to the native Alibre files, I have two different STP file versions that are compatible with the majority of CAD programs.
Like every other Thing on Thingiverse, the license is listed at the bottom of the column to the left.
What kind of couplings do you suggest for minimal backlash? Are flexible beam couplings okay, or should I avoid those?
cant print the y rod mount 2 on a makerbot thingomatic is there any other parts that cant print thanks anyone know were i can buy them individualy
hola todos estoy entrando al mundo de las 3d y escogi la mendelmax para empezar
que opinan? :)
Brand new here :)
Can someone tell me what the dimensions are of the largest part in this set is? Cheers
Is there a place to download the files for the laser cut Y carriage? Or a template for the build plate?
Thanks again - My MM 1.5 looks awesome :-D
Can you confirm how the leads screw nut is clamped on the the new X-ends you've produced that are included in the .zip? I assume it's the disks that are detailed in the PDF but as far as I can tell they aren't a printed part and I've not come across anything that looks like this in the BOM.... Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Cross-posting this question on my 8mm derivative:
"gurlen:
I printed these out (they were just what I was looking for) but I can't determine what to use for the retention nuts. Standard M5s do not fit, nor do t slot M5s that are used in 20mm extrusions."
The slots for the nuts are sized 8.5x3mm and indeed fit neither a M4 nor M5 nut (ISO 4032),
while a M3 nut will be too loose to tighten down. They would fit slim M5 nuts (8x2,7mm, ISO 4035/4036). What size were they intended for?
I think the Z rods are out by 5mm at the top? unless the top Aluminium bars have changed since V1?
On the bottom motor mount I get 65mm to bar centre and at the top mount I get 60mm.
The top z shaft mount is now adjustable. Move them as needed to make the shafts parellel and square. In theory the old version is easier, but it unless your printer is perfectly calibrated it required shimming to adjust the spacing of the Z shafts. The new design allows the shaft mounts to be adjusted as needed.
Another printer smartley moves its Z-Motors to the bottom of the bot. Well played :) I am also a fan of driving the Z axis with a single motor, using a belt system to turn both rods at once.
The SeeMeCNC H-1 printer does this, and it seems to work like gang busters. I am not sure if their design is open source or not though.
A single Z motor adds significant extra complexity (mounting the pulleys ie easy enough, but you also need to design a belt tensioner), and it really doesn't save much cost. By the time you buy three pulleys and a belt you are over $15, so compared to a stepper motor at $20 it is not really compelling.
I had started my MendelMax 1 before you posted this, so I have 8mm rods and have invested in LM8UUs. Any chance that you will be able to release stls for X and Z axis items that accomodate 8mm rods and LM8UU bearings?
No, I am not a fan of lm8uu's so I doubt I will ever make the effort to convert the parts, though others may do so or you can always mix and match parts with LM8uu poieces from thingiverse (the X ends, X carriage, and Y axis are all compatible with Prusa-compatible parts).
This topic seems to be coming up more and more lately, not sure why. I recommend at least starting with the recommended bronze bushings. Unlike LM8UUs, bronze bushings are completely maintenance free. They are smoother, quieter, cheaper and lower maintenance.
LM8UU's are beneficial when you are m
oving a very heavy load. Sliding resistance vs. rolling resistance becomes more of an issue if you are moving a large weight. For the loads we are moving, there is no benefit and a significant number of disadvantages.
This is looking like I might get into (Another) hobby. I really like your design. Any idea when the store will have pictures and be ready for shipping?
These are great. One issue I've run into so far: There are two nasty unsupported holes in the middle of a bridge in the Z_lower_motor_mount_10mm_2_copies.
BTW, you can rotate it and print it with the top (top in the final piece, that is) down. I prefer to print it vertically since the top will be visible, and if you print it down it will not look as good.
Ther are no unsupported overhjangs that I can see... The bridge is definitely a bit extreme, but it is printable. The bridged part is completely hidden on the final assembly, so it does not need to be perfect.
I was just about to print those, I'm thinking about printing it flat instead of vertically.
Did you print it upright or flat?
Very nice, I like the motors at the bottom and it looks like there is a lot more room under the Y carriage now - space for Powersupply and electronics.
I think my next one will be a mash-up of V1 and V1.5.
Thanks.
Also, what x-ends and lead screw setup are you using in the render? The motor side looks similar to AlephObjects' one, but the idler side looks different. How are the rodes held in on the idler side?
The X ends and leadscrews are custom also. The leadscrews will be available in my shop in about 2 weeks. The X ends are included in the Zip file but will be listed as a separate item on Thingiverse as soon as I get a chance to add it.
Note that these new X ends are designed to reduce Z axis binding, so they require 4 extra bronze bushings on one of the X ends.
Aww, I just recently printed off a set of MendelMax parts and assembled my frame :/
I like the lower z-mount. I may have to replace that on mine.
Woot! I just ordered a hardware kit minutes ago. Anybody want a makerbot TOM? I've projected mine will fall out of use.
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This looks good! I am currently improving my Reprap Air 2 XL but to be honest, I am finding the Air very limiting in it's design. The acrylic parts are too much 'boxing' the machine already and also make the machine slightly wobbly. To be honest, you don't really notice the wobbling much in the prints that come out, but some parts on the machine are heavily under stress. This is also due to the parts that I bought not being entirely the same sizes. The seller has sold me some parts that are pretty warped and shrunken in comparison to their counterparts which makes the spacing between the smooth rods a little off, causing the LM8UU bearings to dig into the smooth rod at some points.
I am really anxious to start a 2nd project for a 3D printer for which I won't buy the materials as a kit, but buy raw materials and compose my own kit to create a printer.
The aluminium extruded beams really make me feel excited and I think that this machine you have here might be the next one I will be building.
Only doubt for now is between the Rostock Delta and Mendelmax 1.5 but for the Mendelmax I see more users using it so probably more experience available online.
Are there any other machines you can recommend me besides the Mendelmax for a newbie, but who has grown over the simplicity of the Reprap Air?