September 5, 2016
Description
Presenting the MiltyKoss Alpha One!
This is a small delta printer frame using the same frame dimensions as a Mini Kossel, but with a larger build area. MiltyKoss uses an innovative new design for sliding carriages on OpenBeam 1515 extrusions. The first prototype MiltyKoss is in testing, it is printing very well, so the design is being released to the wild!
A lot of work went into designing a low cost highly functional sliding carriage. 20 or so different prototypes with different materials, shapes for the bushings, and contact points on the extrusion in different locations, different angles, and different methods of tension. What you see is fully tested for a beta release. They work very well and have ZERO backlash and very low stiction and friction, if installed with proper tension on the setting screws.
Included are files for new frame corners, sliding carriages, and effector for Mini Hotend. Plus some small parts. Bed mounts, controllers etc are all stock Mini Kossel or whatever the user desires. Almost any Mini Kossel kit for 1515 OpenBeam can be adapted to these new parts.
Of course they are not perfect, although print quality seems to be close to it. They are very effective and ready for additional testers for the second stage of the design process, feedback from users and refinement of the design.
Update after testing: MiltyKoss works far better than expected, no wear on the bushings so far after hundreds if not thousands of hours of printing. Just finished first design and manufacture job, MiltyKoss printed 72 parts in 4 days running almost continuously. Frame and carriages are completely reliable for accuracy over several months before any adjustment might be necessary after an initial break in period and one minor tension adjustment after 10-20 hours of printing.
Big file update coming soon, updated frame corners and E3D hotend effector, side mounts for a rotating extruder short bowden tube setup that allows bowden tube to be less than 400mm. Extruder on separate side mounted vertical rods allows further development options. In CAD development now are a carriage and stepper motor setup for the extruder height control to follow the level of the effector with very short bowden tubes, and a multiple extruder multi color setup that will work with height controlled extruder carriages.
Link to YouTube video of flame vase time lapse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwguORYFmqA
License:
Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial
Xaxis
