Author: Quentin Harley

I have finally started building Morgan again, and this time opted for Mini Morgan.  It will be a fully functional 3D printer with a build volume similar to that of a Reprap Prusa Mendel.

1. I want Morgan (Full) to be printable on Mendel in order to comply with the RepRap philosophy.  I would love for somebody printing Morgan on a Mendel that was built from parts printed on a Darwin 😉
2. The smaller model will make the many changes that lies ahead more affordable
3. It has a better chance of fitting on my desk

Morgan Mini will now have the following features:

• Fully enclosed build area
• Separate internal electronics enclosure
• heated build platform / build environment
• Single tool-head (FDM)
• Footprint of Approximately 300 x 450 x 300mm
• x-y system will be an articulated arm
• z will be Ultimaker / Replicator style Build platform.
• RAMPS with a twist (TBA) as electronics platform
• All “vitamins” will be easily obtainable and non exotic materials

At release time, Morgan builders in South-Africa should be able to be up and printing in a week from starting.  A list of reliable suppliers will be included, and bespoke components will be available here.

My aim is to have Morgan (Full) running by November 2012.

I gave in and got myself two Pololu stepper drivers from Micro…  At least I will be able to test the operation of my RAMPS board.

More info on the SMT soldering effort soon.

Interestingly, one or more of the resistors I ordered is classified as “Hazardous” and now my shipment will take up to 3 weeks to be delivered.

Mmmm…

The Step sticks will be (substantially) delayed.

What do we learn from this?  Do NOT use 0402 resistors in designs if you can help it.  They do look very cute, and are very inexpensive in bulk, but almost impossible to get in hobby quantities.  Lesson learned.

Development, specifically prototyping can be expensive, but in some instances it just becomes ridiculous.  Went to Communica today to get most of the components I need to assemble my electronics.  Got most of it, but not any 0402 type SMT resistors.  Why?  Because they are ONLY sold in 10k reels.  Absolutely no exceptions.

Great.  Nice work Communica.

Next player, RS components.  I found everything I needed, in moderate quantities, surprisingly not too much more expensive, and it will be available in 4-6 working days.

Minor stumbling block, but nothing serious 😉

At least I will have everything I need to assemble the RAMPS main shield board.  More Later.

I just got the quote back from the prototypers…

…

I now know why I have to build this thing as soon as possible.

This is going to be a slight spanner in the works – nothing new though.  It is almost a year since I decided that I would like to build myself a 3D printer, and in real terms I am still not a whole lot further than I was then.  I had time to work through some ideas, with a lot of plans scrapped before even attempting to build.

The thing is, I will soon have electronics.  I have the motors, belts, pulleys, microswithes galore, power supplies, and the wooden extruder I made a year ago.  No going back now, with or without the printed bits I needed.

Still have to say I am very surprised at the quote I got for 3D printing the STL for the experimental hinge.  It is designed to be strong with the least amount of plastic, and would not have taken excessively long to print.  This is probably one of the main reasons why there is so little R&D happening in my country.

The People @ Circuitboard Manufacturing CC in Hennopspark did a very nice job.  These stepsticks are very tiny…  It would have been a suicide mission to try and make these myself.  DIY just would not cut it here.

Now just to source the components… time to set up a combined BOM