FabTracex

🛠️ Mechanical Assembly and Reuse of 3D Printer Parts

This section documents my individual contribution to our collaborative project: transforming a decommissioned 3D printer into a functional drawing machine (FabTracex). My primary responsibility involved the complete disassembly of the original printer and the full mechanical assembly of the new system, using both salvaged and custom 3D printed parts.

🔩 Component Recovery and Part Organization

The source of our machine's mechanical structure was an old Anycubic i3 3D printer that was no longer operational. From it, we salvaged and repurposed:

• Linear rods and smooth shafts
• Belts and pulleys
• Screws, bolts, nuts, and metal guides
• Frame elements and axis supports

Important Note: No electronic components were reused from the original printer. All electronics, such as the ESP32 microcontroller and stepper drivers, were donated independently and not part of the printer disassembly.

🧱 Mechanical Assembly of the Drawing Machine

Based on the CAD designs made by my teammate Michael, I carried out the entire mechanical build of the drawing machine.

Assembly steps included:

• Installing and aligning rods and shafts to allow smooth movement on both axes
• Mounting belts and idlers, ensuring proper tension and motion range
• Securing reused components using new 3D printed brackets (PETG)
• Adjusting printed parts using heat fitting and light sanding to ensure compatibility
• Testing movement manually to validate the mechanical alignment before any electronics were introduced

🧰 Tools and Techniques Used

For the disassembly and assembly process, I used:

• Standard mechanical tools (screwdrivers, Allen keys, pliers)
• Digital caliper for alignment and spacing
• Heat gun for tight part fitting
• Level and ruler for structural adjustment

All 3D printed components were designed and printed by Michael, and I validated their fit and function during the build process.

⚙️ About the AI Design Contribution

Although part of the project aimed to generate G-code paths using simple AI models, it’s worth clarifying that:

The AI training was minimal, and mainly used to generate abstract, coherent stroke patterns. The goal was not to train a sophisticated drawing model, but to explore coordination between AI-generated points and mechanical motion.

🧠 Reflections and Learning

This mechanical assignment helped me strengthen my skills in:

• Component reuse and sustainable prototyping
• Mechanical tolerance handling with 3D printed parts
• Assembling machines based on abstract CAD files
• Working in tandem with designers to bring a mechanical system to life

Even without reusing electronics, it felt empowering to recover mechanical parts and give them a new purpose through collaboration and manual work.

🤝 Collaboration Note

This project was a collaborative effort involving multiple team members:

• Michael was responsible for the 3D modeling and mechanical adaptation of the structure. He designed all the custom parts required for the new drawing machine using CAD software and oversaw the 3D printing process.
• Andrés handled the electronic setup of the machine. He assembled and configured the control system using an ESP32, stepper drivers, and power components, and ensured the system responded correctly to G-code instructions.
• I was in charge of extracting and assembling the mechanical components, verifying tolerances, and testing the system manually. My role focused on the practical implementation of the structure designed by Michael and aligned with the electronics configured by Andrés.

This clear division of work allowed us to progress efficiently and align mechanical and electronic performance with the project’s broader goals.