OSHE Print Farm Automation

Print Farm Automation for Open Source Hardware Enterprise

Project developed by Lucas Beutler, Simeon Richards

This Open Source Appropriate Technology has been designed but not yet tested — use at your own risk.

Objective

The goal of this project is to automate the 3D printing process. It started when the OSHE was asked by the university to print hundreds of husky statues that took 8 hours each to print. Instead of having to remember to come into the lab every eight hours and start a new print, it would be much easier if the process was automatic. We want the robotic arm to know when the 3D print is complete, remove the finished print, and then tell the 3D printer to begin again.

Background

The goal of this project is to automate the 3D printing process. It started when the OSHE was asked by the university to print hundreds of husky statues that took 8 hours each to print. Instead of having to remember to come into the lab every eight hours and start a new print, it would be much easier if the process was automatic. We want the robotic arm to know when the 3D print is complete, remove the finished print, and then tell the 3D printer to begin again.

Problem Statement

The problem our team identified is how difficult it is to produce a large quantity of prints. More specifically, it is inefficient to require human intervention at the beginning and end of each print. If this problem were addressed, it would allow the operator to queue several prints, leave, and return when they are done to collect the whole batch.

Project Significance

Project Goals:

1. Add robotic arm without interfering in normal printer capabilities
   • A system with dual leadscrews and a sheet metal blade was designed, manufactured, and added to the printer
2. Write G-Code to make the arm clear the printbed
   • A simple test was written in Spring 2019
3. Automate G-Code generation to clear bed and repeat part printing
   • A python script (Again.py) with 2 dependent files (init.txt) and (iter.txt).
4. Verify that the system works
   • A timelapse of the working system can be found here

Future Goals:

1. Add a limit switch so we can know where the scraper is
2. Print a spine for the blade to stiffen and ensure the entire scraping area makes contact
3. Add a pause to let the bed cool and release the part
4. Refine and update the python script to take advantage of upcoming features in Marlin
   • M32
   • M808
     
5. Add bearings to the upper end of the leadscrews
6. Add the rail system originally intended to lead the cart
7. Rewire the system with a more professional harness
   

Bill of Materials

Tools needed

Technical Specifications and Assembly Instructions

Content

References