My 2nd printer, but first Voron - diary

[jjg64]

Day 1 - sorted all parts, check BOM, decided on which mods I should prepare for, print a few extras with my trusted Prusa. 
Tools checked against recommended list. I have most of it. I start with prepping the rails this week. 

[jjg64]

Oh, and an old TV stand with a large thick glass top “donated” the smooth flat build table. With any luck, my wife dont notice, at least until the frame is true and scquare.

[PFarm]

Like the old saying "Better to ask for forgiveness than permission" LOL

[jjg64]

Thats, right. I think it was so ugly, she will be glad. 

[jjg64]

 

OK, I guess it was not THAT weekend in October, now it is New Years’ eve and I started. 

Using an old TV Stand tempered glass counter ( 8.3 mm thick and heavy) on the kitchen counter top as a surface (until the kitchen authority kick me out, at least - lol  ). Sliding the extrutions around on the glass surface, I see no gaps between glass and metal. It feels very level to me. Glass is good for sliding the frame on too. 

My extrusions came plastic wrapped and pre-drilled and tapped. I used carpentery aluminum angle braces and the squareness worked realy well. Biggest diagonal discrepency was 0.5 mm and that was only in one face/plane. All other faces tested exactly the same diagonal measurements. Glass was a bit cold, so perhaps the extrusions were colder at the bottom. I will let it sit in the room until tomorow and measure again. But I have high hopes it will be as square as I can make it. This is a 350mm model  

Then I discovered I did not have the Openbuilds corner brackets to mount the two A-extrusions for the bottom panel. So, that is it for the day. Ordered some replacement but shipping over new year week will be brutal. I will tinker away at the other parts requiring assemble before mounting. 

 

[jjg64]

 A little progress today, but I was the chef too so, time was limited. 
Still waiting for my corner pieces so could not attach the A-extrusions for the bottom panel. However, good progress on the z-axis. Linear rails were greased and exercised. I also attached to linear rails. For the 3 mm spacing at the bottom of each I just placed a M3 screw as a spacer. They measure 2.8 mm but at least it will be consistent.

I also built up the 4 z-drive axles/belts and assembled the z-drive motors. I got two z-drive idler units assembled, before I got “the evil eye” to start supper. 

I will not get too it for two weeks now, other duties. 

[TitusADuxass]

1 hour ago, jjg64 said:

 A little progress today, but I was the chef too so, time was limited. 
Still waiting for my corner pieces so could not attach the A-extrusions for the bottom panel. However, good progress on the z-axis. Linear rails were greased and exercised. I also attached to linear rails. For the 3 mm spacing at the bottom of each I just placed a M3 screw as a spacer. They measure 2.8 mm but at least it will be consistent.

I also built up the 4 z-drive axles/belts and assembled the z-drive motors. I got two z-drive idler units assembled, before I got “the evil eye” to start supper. 

I will not get too it for two weeks now, other duties. 

Using a 3 mm (2.8) screw is a good idea, it will give you consistency and is accurate enough.

[claudermilk]

Good progress. Sounds like everything is plenty square for the needs of the printer.

[jjg64]

I managed to sneak in a two more hours today, but now it is back to work. Likely 2 weeks before I can get back at it. 

Managed to install the Z-axis idlers. No problems there. 

Then I looked at the design and since I cannot install my bottom A-extrusions which hold the base plate yet, I thought I had to hold off installing the Z-axis motors. However, as long as I remember to put the base plate down on the motors and then attache the Extrusions on top of them, there was nothing else in the way. So, I did install all 4 Z-axis motors. I checked and the belts run nice and smooth in the middle of the GT pulleys, not binding up or running up against the aluminum edges. All went together well.

I am sure I will say it again when I get to the electrical, but up to now the Tool Recommendation List paid off - I made sure I had a good selection of the right tools before I started. Thank you to everyone who contributed ot the recommended tools list. 

 

[PFarm]

Some great progress you'll be printing in no time! I don't mean to pry, you work away from home on a two-week rotation? I did that for 22 yrs but retired now.

 

Edited January 2 by PFarm

[mvdveer]

Looking good and meticulously put together. 

[jjg64]

No, I am not working away. I have a cottage in the country (30 min out of town) that is where my “stuff” is. We are there most weekends from about Thu evening to Monday morning. So, between stoking the fireplace and cooking, I get to do my techi stuff then. At my house in town, there is not time nor a good place for my “machines” This weekend, our son heads back to BC to university, so my wife put a prohibition on “personal time” - LOL , IT IS FAMILY TIME. In general, we are both “Makers” so no issues, she enjoys my laser cutter and 3D printer products too! Many a useful gadget is around the house. 

[Penatr8tor]

10 hours ago, jjg64 said:

No, I am not working away. I have a cottage in the country (30 min out of town) that is where my “stuff” is. We are there most weekends from about Thu evening to Monday morning. So, between stoking the fireplace and cooking, I get to do my techi stuff then. At my house in town, there is not time nor a good place for my “machines” This weekend, our son heads back to BC to university, so my wife put a prohibition on “personal time” - LOL , IT IS FAMILY TIME. In general, we are both “Makers” so no issues, she enjoys my laser cutter and 3D printer products too! Many a useful gadget is around the house. 

Very cool! 

And thanks for being a supporter!

[jjg64]

By the way, where can I get a good comparison between the choice of Mainsale or Fluid? I can see the choice coming up in a few weeks when I get to the electronics. 

Thank you

[Penatr8tor]

1 hour ago, jjg64 said:

By the way, where can I get a good comparison between the choice of Mainsale or Fluid? I can see the choice coming up in a few weeks when I get to the electronics. 

Thank you

Pretty much all of the YouTube makers and printer builders are going with Mainsail. The members here that actively answer questions and help others also use Mainsail so unless someone came up with a really compelling reason you go with Fluidd... I'd go Mainsail.

[claudermilk]

Well, I use Fluidd. It's just subtle differences and is a matter of taste. I prefer how Fluidd handles the config file editing and like the appearance a bit better. The cool thing is you can run both and decide for yourself. Just set one to be a different port than 80--I use 90.

[jjg64]

I managed some progress today, but work interrupted. I get miffed and then I remember who pays me so I can enjoy this hobby. 

I am still short the 90 angel blocks to attach the extrusions which hold the heat bed. So, I had to pick and choose what I do to not get in a corner. 

1. Assembled the heat bed. Has some help from my wife to hold up the magnetic sheet while I used a cake roller to attach from one end. IT went smoothly. Same with the heater. 4 hads are better than 2. I wired in the 125 degree fuse and attach a ground wire and it all still fits in the black wiring sleeve

2. Built the gantry. That went well too and I took my time checking end clearances and centering. All looks like the diagram.

3. I bought the titanium backing strips but forgot to order t-nuts and screws to attach them.

So, stopping here until the 90 angle blocks show up as well as the hardware to attach the titanium anti-flex stripo before inserting the gantry in the frame. 

For this stage I have no additional tips than what is out there already. I am thinking 2 weeks before I can proceed again.

[jjg64]

the last two days saw a bit of activity. I managed to “belt up”. The XY gantry went well. 

Before I did the GT belts, I attached the titanium backers described here: https://www.3dlabtech.ca/product/titanium-backers-for-voron-2-and-trident/?srsltid=AfmBOor3rNmbVSyywapTjKTXdG6jZZHczWwV6Es-DEyeZaE9MHLR20IF  Way back when I was collecting all the parts (over a period of about 14 months) I saw this and decided to get it too. I hope they are worth it. I followed the guidance and use torques screws to tighten them realy well. 

The strining of the belts went well, no issues. I took the video advice and strung one AB belt completely, then removed it measured the 2nd belt to exactly the same length. The Z-belts also went on with no issues the tension came out out very nice and even without adjustments. 

Leveling and racking fells good too. The red brackets in the pictures are my “gantry hangers” I printed them on my exiting Prusa and made sure the fit over the lower linear rails and at the back of the gantry and hook onto the top extructions. I just choes 240 mm long since the longest part I can print on my Prusa is 250 mm. I think they helped

Lastly, I started the toolhead assembly. I am missing a few parts like the pancake stepper motor so I had to stop. But the fillament feeder is good now. I assembleld and disassembled it three times but I wanted the feeder hole lined up perfectly. It feels good. I chose the Stealthburner and will go directly to CAN bus. I know some recommendation is to do the stock tool and communications first, but I enjoy this so to me it will not be time lost. If I get stuck with the various flashing of boards and setup, I can also go back to the drag chains. Time will tell and I will update here. 

Waiting for some parts now, so, If I get me aluminim base plate, I may be albe to do a bit of electornics mounting next while I wait for the extruder motor to show up.