RapMan

Draft

This article or section is currently under construction

In principle, someone is working on it and there should be a better version in a not so distant future.
If you want to modify this page, please discuss it with the person working on it (see the "history")

Introduction

RapMan is a commercial kit of the RepRap 3D printer. “RepRap is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper since it was developed in a research project on self-replicating machines.

This 3D printer builds the parts up in layers of plastic with the help of a custom-made Thermoplast Extruder. The machine takes a 3mm diameter filament of a polymer, forces it down a heated barrel, and then extrudes it as a melt out of a fine nozzle. The resulting thin stream is laid down in layers to form the parts that RepRap makes. The extruder should work up to a temperature of 260 degrees Celsius”. It works with various polymers like ABS (Lego-like plastic) and polylactic acid. The extruder can move left/right (X axis) and forward/backward (Y axis) The printed object sits on a platform that will move down (Z axis)

This article has two functions:

• It's a meta manual for Rapman version 3.1: We will try to explain how RapMan works in order to help the reader understanding stages of assembly and we will point out to the most important manuals and other information sources you should read
• We will add some missing points and report some difficulties.

Parts, manuals and workspace

When we ordered a Reprap it came in a fairly small plastic-wrapped cardboard box. In addition, we got some boxes with polymer filaments (6 ABS rolls and some others ...). To the left is a picture

Boxes from RapMan delivered on Jan 2010

.

It's easier to reserve a lot of space for assembly. At TECFA, we used our seminar room and took about 2 x 6 meters :)

Overview of the manuals

All manuals are available at Bits from Bytes. At the time of writing they could be found in the downloads section. The [ build info] section includes outdated version. So, in any case, always make sure that you get the manuals for the version you ordered, e.g. RapMan 3.1. Here is a list of the manuals:

• Build Manual - Printed: This manual explains how to assemble the so-called cartesian robot. This refers to the printer (including the motors and the belts that will move the extruder in the X/Y axis and the plate up/down (Z-axis). In other words, it's all that's mechanical, except the extruder.

• 3D Build Manual part 1: As above but include 3D models that you can view in PDF. Click on a "picture" to enter 3D mode. Make sure to install the lastet PDF version and to use a PC with a decent graphics card. Also, explore the Acrobat menu to the left. You can add-remove parts for better visibility.

• 3D Build Manual Part 2: As above, part 2. Also includes writing of the motors and the controller.

• Animated Build Manual: As above, but includes animations. We didn't use this manuals

• Build Manual Videos: This manual includes three videos that show how to build some of the more difficult parts.

• Extruder Manual: Explains how to assemble the extruder, i.e. the print head that will be moved around in X/Y directions by the "cartesian robot". It will pull in the plastic filament and feed it into the so-called attached hot end which you somewhere during the assembly process. Finally it also explains how to wire the extruder to the controller.

• Hot End Manual: Explains how to assemble the hot end. The hot end will heat the plastic. It's a bit tricky to assemble since you have to wrap the heating wire around, attache a temperature probe and wrap fire cement around.

• Operations Manual: Explains how to use the printer. In particular calibrate the print head, update the firmware and use the controller interface.

Notice: In some case, the newer version did not have enough information to understand the process. E.g. we looked at some 3.0 version manuals where procedures are explained in more detail. However, this information needed to be adapted, because some parts are not the same and generally speaking 3.1 is easier, in particular assemblying the hot end !

Tools

Then you will have to buy tools. All except two can be easily found in a do-it-yourself store:

Printing

3d model into G-Code

Skeinforge is a tool chain composed of Python scripts that converts your 3d model into G-Code instructions for Rapman.

• Download: Skeinforge

• Read Skeinforge

In education

See Teaching Resources (BitsforBytes Wiki)

Links

Research Reprap 3D printer

• RepRap, a British project, is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper. This 3D printer builds the parts up in layers of plastics. It can be assembled from parts bought in various places.
• RepRap Project (Wikipedia)
• Introduction to Reprap, retrieved 24 June 2009.
• RepRap Official Blog

• Spare parts: See reprapsource. German company that sells spare parts.

BitsfromBytes RepRap

• Bits from Bytes. Sells RepRap kits (£750 / CHF 1270).
• This web site also includes a forum an a wiki.

Shared designs

• thingyverse.