Cupcake CNC
September 5th, 2013
If you can find one, the kit will set you back roughly 700 dollars (or less). While it doesn't have the depth and resolution that newer maker bots have, it is still a great tool to have. While my example prints included (pictures below) are hardly practical, you can expect me to be adding other projects showing up here.
I won't repeat what has already been said and done so here is the helpful pdf I used in the assembly of the Cupcake.
You may have to do a little research like I did, as with these older kits you may have different versions of each component. Allen keys, an exacto knife and some select wrenches is all that is necessary, plus a minor understanding of programming. Despite being "complete" there are still some issues I ran into indicated below.
Issues to solve:
- Extruder Controller switches are not rated for larger currents despite what their data sheets indicate. I burned two of them, luckily there are three so I could still maintain control of the temperature of the extruder. Will need more relays.
- The PID that apparently applies to the heating element on the extruder does not work well. Takes up to 15 minutes to reach temperature. Needs adjustment.
- Plastic feed gets tangled, needs to be watched. A topside spool feed for the plastic would solve this.
- Extruder feed runs too fast, will need to be calibrated.
- Despite smooth movement in Z direction there seems to be an upper limit where the z increment decreases. This causes wave like patterns at the top of the print, and in worst cases can stick into the print or knock it off the stand.
- Only older version of "Replicator" software works in making GCode (version 0028). Requires research as to why.
Things to add:
- correct Z height limitation.
- Spool for plastic feed on topside.
- fix burned components. Get more relays to take off load.
- Add brush to clean tip when beginning. Or adjust feedrate.
- Add failed print feature. Perhaps xyz movement feedback.
- once fixed add feature for heated pad. Or optional automatic build platform.
- analyse sanguino motherboard code. See where expansion is possible.
If you can find one, the kit will set you back roughly 700 dollars (or less). While it doesn't have the depth and resolution that newer maker bots have, it is still a great tool to have. While my example prints included (pictures below) are hardly practical, you can expect me to be adding other projects showing up here.
I won't repeat what has already been said and done so here is the helpful pdf I used in the assembly of the Cupcake.
You may have to do a little research like I did, as with these older kits you may have different versions of each component. Allen keys, an exacto knife and some select wrenches is all that is necessary, plus a minor understanding of programming. Despite being "complete" there are still some issues I ran into indicated below.
Issues to solve:
- Extruder Controller switches are not rated for larger currents despite what their data sheets indicate. I burned two of them, luckily there are three so I could still maintain control of the temperature of the extruder. Will need more relays.
- The PID that apparently applies to the heating element on the extruder does not work well. Takes up to 15 minutes to reach temperature. Needs adjustment.
- Plastic feed gets tangled, needs to be watched. A topside spool feed for the plastic would solve this.
- Extruder feed runs too fast, will need to be calibrated.
- Despite smooth movement in Z direction there seems to be an upper limit where the z increment decreases. This causes wave like patterns at the top of the print, and in worst cases can stick into the print or knock it off the stand.
- Only older version of "Replicator" software works in making GCode (version 0028). Requires research as to why.
Things to add:
- correct Z height limitation.
- Spool for plastic feed on topside.
- fix burned components. Get more relays to take off load.
- Add brush to clean tip when beginning. Or adjust feedrate.
- Add failed print feature. Perhaps xyz movement feedback.
- once fixed add feature for heated pad. Or optional automatic build platform.
- analyse sanguino motherboard code. See where expansion is possible.