Solar Panels holders (Solar powered delta)

Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Lab.

Wanted: Students to make a distributed future with solar-powered open-source 3-D printing and recycling.
Contact Dr. Joshua Pearce - Apply here
 MOST: Projects & Publications, Methods, Lit. reviews, People, Sponsors, News
Updates: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

This page is part of an international project to use RepRap 3-D printing to make OSAT for sustainable development. Learn more.

Research: Open source 3-D printing of OSAT • RecycleBot • LCA of home recycling • Green Distributed Recycling • Ethical Filament • LCA of distributed manufacturing • RepRap LCA Energy and CO2 • Solar-powered RepRaps • solar powered recyclebot • Feasibility hub • Mechanical testing • RepRap printing protocol: MOST‎• Lessons learned • MOST RepRap Build • MOST Prusa Build • MOST HS RepRap build • RepRap Print Server

Make me: Want to build a MOST RepRap? - Start here! • Delta Build Overview:MOST • Athena Build Overview • MOST metal 3-D printer • Humanitarian Crisis Response 3-D Printer

For full details on a more advanced version of this solar-powered 3-D printer see High-Efficiency Solar-Powered 3-D Printers for Sustainable Development

  • Fig 1:MOST delta 3D printer
  • Fig 2:Spool_holder
  • Fig 3: Solar powered Delta side view
  • Fig 4: Printer PV Power Supply unit
  • Fig 5: Battery mounting, Delta top view
  • Fig 5: Battery casing mounting
  • Fig 6: Melzi casing mounting
  • Fig 6: 3D printer in a Duffel bag

Introduction

This page describes the modifications to the MOST Delta printer' as part of my graduate MY4777/MY5777/EE4777/EE5777 Open-source 3-D printing class project. This project enable the use of the MOST-delta printer off-the grid using solar power. These modifications not only makes the solar powered 3D printer a valuable tool for poverty alleviation and wealth creation in the developing world, but it also gives any 3D printing enthusiast the freedom to safely transport their printer to a remote camping site or any location of their choice. The modifications steps involved the following;

  • PV system sizing - 60 W system.
  • Coming up with the bill of materials (BOM).
  • Designing and construction of a PV power supply system (fig.4).
  • Designing and printing of solar panel holders (For safe transporting in a duffel bag) (fig.3).
  • Design and printing of battery casing holder(mounted on top side of the top plywood board)(fig.5).
  • Mounting the power supply under the top plywood board (inner-side).
  • Design and printing the Melzi board casing (for protection during transit)(fig.6).
  • Customized spool holder (easy to assemble) (fig.2).

Bill of Materials

  • 12V/1.35A 25W solar panels x 3
  • 12A/100W 4.5-30V to 0.8-30V DC Buck Volt Converter x 2
  • Li-ion 20Ah battery (includes PCM with balance function)
  • 36" Duffel bag
  • Bolt with nuts x 3
  • LED x 2
  • Switches X 2
  • Diodes x 5

Source Files

Tools

  • 5.5mm nut driver
  • Sharp x-acto-like knife
  • Small, flat bladed screwdriver
  • No.2 Phillips screwdriver (a power driver is best)
  • 1.5mm allen wrench
  • 2mm allen wrench
  • 2.5mm allen wrench
  • 3mm (1/8") drill bit
  • 8mm (5/16") drill bit
  • Tape measure (large calipers >300mm are better), preferably metric
  • Soldering iron
  • Wire strippers and cutters
  • Needle nose or other pliers

Consumables

  • PLA
  • Connector wires

Note that all of the pictures in the process can be enlarged by clicking on them.

This article is issued from Appropedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.