RepRap: Blog

The Maus C design evolved organically, which was handy for prototyping and experimentation. To take it to the next level though some of the idiosyncrasies need to be removed and the size of the build area extended a bit.

One that stands out is the long single flexure used to drive the X axis via the stage - a hangover from the original Maus prototype. There is no reason the X flexures can't be moved directly, rather than using that to push the stage around. This would remove the non-linear motion caused by bending the thin drive flexure both in the X and Y directions.

While that's happening, a complementary flexure should be used to drive the Y axis, rather than the single thin drive flexure similar to the X axis one. Again, that would remove non-linearity.

I've already discussed using what I'm calling a pantograph linkage to make the actual driver motion linear. Somebody please tell me what the proper name is.

One thing I've not wrapped my head around yet is whether to keep the probe's Z axis completely disconnected from XY motion. This makes sense when trying to keep everything linear, but at some point I'm going to want to add manipulators, and keeping those in sync with the bed might be problematic.

It might be necessary to have completely separate manipulator mechanisms, which currently would be very clunky. But when μRepRap is capable of printing the manipulator mechanisms themselves, they could easily be small enough to mount on the print bed. We shall see.

As to practical progress, that's all up in the air as I prepare for the FAB25 presentation early next month. Quite looking forward to getting that finished, and returning to multiple layer printing.

# posted by vik-olliver @ 2:46 AM