MegaMax was a great 3D printer, but it was time for some changes. He was difficult to transport because the electronics were in a separate housing with many cables to disconnect and reconnect, barely fit through doorways, and required a positively gargantuan enclosure to keep the temperature up to control ABS delamination. Though it hurt to do it, I tore him apart and did a complete redesign/build into a form that is more like what I would have done had I known anything at all about 3D printing when I started building MegaMax.
I reused what I could including a lot of the 8020 extrusions in the frame, the Z axis screw assemblies and drive belt, and the X and Z axis motors.
Changes include:
- ball screw drive Y axis with high torque motor- precise but noisy
- linear guides in X and Y axes instead of 1/2″ round guide rails and linear bearings
- SmoothieBoard controller instead of Arduino/RAMPS
- BullDog XL extruder and E3D v6 hot end
- RepRapDiscount graphic LCD control panel
- narrower frame design without giving up print volume- easier fit through doorways!
- polycarbonate panels to enclose the print area yet provide a clear view of the print
- electronics in a drawer for easy service and transport and neater appearance
- DSP motor drivers and 32V power supplies for X and Y axes
- Liberal use of screw terminals to make servicing easier
- Modular X and Y axes that can be removed for service and replaced in minutes.
SoM will be making his public debut at the Milwaukee Makerspace very soon…
Son of MegaMax electronics drawer
Side view of Son of MegaMax