RepRap 3D Print a Book Scanner Body

[Qanthelas]

I've been following the RepRap Project with interest and it got me wondering - could we design a book scanner body that could be 'printed' with a 3D printer? I think we could and I think it could be a great lower-cost way for someone to make lots of book scanner body kits that they could mail to people (in some sort of For Sale thread.)

The two main catches are 1) a 3D printer is around $500-$1500 (depending largely on how large its 'print area' is) and 2) we'd need someone savvy with 3D modeling software to design the pattern. In my mind the main benefits are 1) a scanner kit that non-woodworkers like me could just click/glue/whatever together 2) potentially fairly inexpensive 3) customizable angles, connectors, etc. to get just the right angles - no more worrying about trying to hack together some way to mount your camera just the way you want and no need to make sure your angles on a pair of pieces cut so that they match exactly 4) 'mass-producible' (as in 25, not as in 25000 )

I feel like this could be an interesting option but I don't really have the money or 3D drafting skills to make some sort of prototype. As one who is not very experienced with woodworking I think this could be another option for people who just want someone to mail them a kit that 'works' - don't get me wrong, I love the instructions here, I just suck at following them Any thoughts?

[Gerard]

you will still need a lot of rod cutting and "vitamins" (none printable parts) and the next problem is, see the hackspace wood scanner, it is a well designed piece of work, look at how many iterations and work is behind (do not underestimate the amount of work to design a working prototype)
just replace the wood parts with rods and printed parts, but at the end you will have to cut so many rods, maybe printing the design on paper and just cute it with a jigsaw is less effort (maybe)

the real benefit comes with the full auto scanners

i would suggest, post this idea in an reprap forum, you will maybe find some one nearby with an 3d printer (money problem solved ) start learning 3d cat software ( experience problem solved )

start sell kits (please give the plans back to the community, so i don't have start from zero )

[reece.arnott]

I am in the process of doing something similar (although I haven't actually done anything in the last 6 months the writeup is at http://dspace.org.nz/2011/09/11/bookscanner-project/).

I am assuming that it is easier to make specialised printed parts for connectors and that the body can be made primarily as a frame of threaded rod.

Currently I am using a simple mechano idea of generic rod+generic connector where the connector is a simple printed part that is a 90 degree through connection for M8 rods (for the prototype I have 2 sizes of rod 250mm and 500mm - which are cut to within 5 or 10 mm of the specific size). Once I've finalised the prototype I will be redoing some of the 3d printed parts. Currently there are special connectors for the bottom connections for the upper and lower platen and another connection for connecting the platen to the rod (with a M3 bolt and screw) but eventually there will be more.

One of the issues I've had so far is that with more complex connections the rig is more constrained and so less 'sloppy' but it means that there is only one correct way to put it together and pull it apart. If you do it wrong you will be pulling and twisting some long rods that are connected at the other end leading to the rod being a great lever and you specialised connection is likely to be broken.

[Abarbour]

My 'Spidey Senses' are telling me that 3D printing the entire thing would be too costly (filament cost alone would be in the $100 range - assuming 3-4kg of material - let alone labour/wastage/set-up costs)

Printing connectors for use with readily accessible and easily cut bulk materials (threaded rod; extruded aluminum; plywood/mdf) is a possible option. My preference here is for the extruded aluminum due to stiffness and

Interesting idea though..... My 3D printer is about a month from being complete and this is first on my list (after the inaugural shot glass).

Andrew

[Gerard]

the Mendel90 has an interesting build concept
http://hydraraptor.blogspot.de/2011/12/mendel90.html
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LEEHtqB1Sg/T ... 00/m90.png

i think it is possible to design a book scanner with printed connection parts and acrylic/playwood (only in rectangle form so i it can be cut in a homedepo)

i'm currently building an platform for my brother with glass fiber rods, they are lighter than threaded rods and more flexible
http://www.ebay.de/itm/140796375694?ssP ... 500wt_1156