MakerSpace - Mechanical Design

Based on the previous version of the machine and after studying all the problems. I decided to re-design MakerSpace from the begining to make upgrades and improve the machine.

Machine Design

Everything has strated from here the Preliminary design of the first version:

In this step I focuced on the mechanical system. I designed the machine based on BoxZy example.

I’ve chosen a wood frame (Mdf 8mm Thikness) and guide all the system using ball screws and rods

After making the first prototype 2018 using wood I figuered out many problems and issues in the mechnical system like:

  • Chose the wrong material for the frame.

  • A huge play in the lineaire guides due to the wrong lenght og the lineaire bearing.

  • Z axis blocking due to the dsitance between the lineair guides and the ball screw

All these problems affected the function of the machine, so my work during FabAcademy is to fix it and make some upgurades.

X, Y, Z Axis

Machine Tools

The purpose of MakerSpace is to be 3 in 1 machine that can replace 3 numerical machines in the fablab like 3d printing, Laser engraving and CNC router.

Tool Holder

The tool holder is the most important part in the projects. It should be able to fix all the tools and translate on X and Y axis.

The tool holder is a very complex part and very difficult for manufacturing desighned to translet on X and Y axis threw lineair rails Hiwin. On the top surface I attched another part where to fix the wirring for eah tool and fix the endstops (limit switches)

Tool Holder materials:

  • 4 Hiwin rails MGN15C

  • M5 screws

  • M3 Screws

  • Top holder (PETG/ 3D printing)

  • 2 Limit switches

  • Tool holder support (POM/ CNC milling)

3D printing tool

I designed this tool ased on the tool holder i designed previously. To make sure that the extruder is mounted well I designed a support that can fit the tool holder and contain the extruder. I set the diameter 70m and the lenght of the cylinder is 90mm.

I wanted to have multicolor 3d prints so I chose a 2 in 1 extruder from Bigtreetech. Here you can see the assembly instructions.

CNC router tool

For the CNC tool I designed it the same way like the previous tool. All the design is based on the tool holder and 300w spindle.

Laser tool

For this tool, we have 2 watt blue laser module with 450nm wave length. A class 4 laser that need special glasses or special safety plexiglass to reduce the laser danger. I designed also the laser support like the previous tools