Unleash Your Creativity with Big 3D Prints: A Comprehensive Parts Guide

Embarking on the journey of building your own 3D printer opens up a world of possibilities, especially when you’re aiming for Big 3d Prints. Imagine creating large-scale prototypes, impressive art pieces, or functional parts that dwarf standard 3D printer outputs. This guide provides a detailed parts list to get you started on constructing a robust machine capable of bringing those ambitious visions to life. We focus on utilizing readily available components, making this project accessible and cost-effective for makers and hobbyists alike. Let’s dive into the essential hardware you’ll need to assemble a 3D printer designed for creating big 3D prints.

Essential Components for Building Your Big 3D Printer

To construct a 3D printer capable of handling big 3D prints, careful selection of components is crucial. This list outlines the hardware required, ensuring stability, precision, and the capacity to manage larger print volumes.

Motion and Mechanics

• (5) Nema 17 Stepper Motors: These motors are the workhorses of your printer’s movement. You’ll need two for the X and Y axes (horizontal motion), one for the extruder (filament feeding), and two for the Z-axis (vertical motion), enabling the creation of big 3D prints with substantial height.

• 5mm Bore, 17 Tooth GT2 Belt Pulleys: These pulleys attach to the X and Y motors and are essential for precise movement along these axes. They work in conjunction with GT2 belts to ensure smooth and accurate positioning, critical for the quality of big 3D prints.

• GT2 Belt (2m roll recommended): This belt, paired with the GT2 pulleys, transmits motion from the stepper motors to the X and Y carriages. A 2-meter roll provides ample length for most DIY printer builds and allows for adjustments during assembly.

• 8mm Smooth Rod (8 pieces x 457.2mm length): These smooth rods serve as linear guides for the movement of the printer axes. Four are dedicated to the Z-axis, guiding the heatbed platform for stable vertical motion, vital for big 3D prints. The other four support the X-Y assembly, ensuring smooth horizontal movement.

• 8mm x 1.25 Threaded Rod (2 pieces x 457.2mm length): These threaded rods act as lead screws for the Z-axis, driven by the Nema 17 motors to precisely raise and lower the heatbed. This controlled vertical movement is paramount for building big 3D prints layer by layer.

• (13) 608 Bearings & (4) 624 Bearings: Bearings minimize friction and ensure smooth, low-resistance movement in various parts of the printer. 608 bearings are general-purpose and used in multiple locations, while 624 bearings are specifically for belt tensioners in the X-Y belt path, maintaining belt tightness for accurate big 3D prints.

• (11) LM8UU Linear Bearings: These linear bearings are crucial for smooth linear motion along the smooth rods. Three are used for the hotend/X-axis carriage, four for the Y-axis carriage, and four for the Z-axis platform, ensuring stable and precise movement essential for high-quality big 3D prints.

• Large Compression Spring (approx. 1″ diameter, 1 foot long): This spring is used to manage the wiring and Bowden tube, preventing them from interfering with the X-Y gantry’s movement. This is especially important in setups designed for big 3D prints where larger movements are involved.

Hotend and Extrusion

• E3D V6 Hot End: A popular and reliable hotend, the E3D V6 is responsible for melting and extruding filament to create your 3D prints. Its consistent performance is essential for achieving detailed and reliable big 3D prints.

• Bowden Tube for 1.75mm filament (2mm I.D., 4mm O.D.): The Bowden tube guides the filament from the extruder motor to the hotend. Using a Bowden setup helps reduce weight on the moving carriage, which can be beneficial for faster and more accurate printing, especially for big 3D prints.

Electronics and Control

• Ramps 1.4 / Mega 2560 Controller Board: This combination serves as the brain of your 3D printer. The Mega 2560 microcontroller handles the processing, while the Ramps 1.4 board provides the interface for motor drivers, sensors, and other electronic components. This robust control system is vital for managing the complex movements required for big 3D prints.

• (3) Optical Endstops (X, Y, Z): Endstops are sensors that tell the printer when an axis has reached its limit. Optical endstops offer reliable and precise detection of axis positions, ensuring accurate homing and consistent print starts, crucial for the repeatability needed in big 3D prints.

• LCD Screen with SD Card Reader (Optional but Recommended): An LCD screen allows you to control your printer and print directly from an SD card without needing a постійно connected computer. This is highly recommended for convenience and standalone operation, especially if your big 3D prints take extended print times. The 12864 LCD is a common and compatible option.

• Computer PSU (Power Supply Unit) or 12VDC Power Supply: A reliable power supply is crucial for powering all the components of your 3D printer. For demanding heatbeds and motors, a robust PSU is essential. Avoid cheap PSUs; a Sentey 725W is recommended. Alternatively, a dedicated 12VDC power supply simplifies setup.

• (3-5) 40mm Fans: Fans are essential for cooling. One cools the hotend to prevent heat creep, and two cool the Ramps board to ensure stable operation. Consider additional fans for part cooling (“bridging”) and cooling an external heatbed relay, especially when dealing with big 3D prints that might require longer print times and generate more heat.

• LED Wiring (15-20 foot roll recommended): LED lighting can be added for better visibility of the print area and for aesthetic enhancement.

Heatbed and Build Surface

• 12×12″ Heatbed with Heatbed Relay: A large 12×12″ heatbed provides ample build volume for big 3D prints. A heatbed relay is necessary to handle the high current draw of a large heatbed, ensuring safe and efficient heating.

• 12″ x 12″ Cork Sheet: Cork sheet is used as insulation under the heatbed to improve heating efficiency and reduce heat loss, which is beneficial for maintaining consistent temperatures across a large heatbed needed for big 3D prints.

• 11.75″ x 11.75″ x 1/8″ Glass Sheet for Heatbed: A glass sheet provides a flat and stable build surface for printing. It improves adhesion and is easy to remove prints from once cooled, crucial for the success of big 3D prints.

• 12″ x 12″ Kapton Tape (Optional): Kapton tape can be applied to the glass bed to enhance adhesion for certain filaments, especially useful when printing big 3D prints that require strong bed adhesion to prevent warping.

• Heatbed Screws, Washers, Nuts, and Springs: These hardware components are used to mount and level the heatbed. Springs provide adjustability for bed leveling, ensuring a consistent first layer, which is critical for the foundation of big 3D prints.

• Binder Clips: Binder clips securely hold the glass sheet and cork sheet to the heatbed platform. They provide a simple and effective way to keep the build surface in place during printing, especially important for large and potentially heavy big 3D prints.

Fasteners and Hardware

• 10-24 Countersunk Machine Screws (various lengths): These screws are used throughout the printer assembly. You may need to cut them to specific lengths as needed.

• 5/16″-18 Threaded Rod & 1/4″-20 Threaded Rod (see frame assembly step for lengths): These threaded rods are used for frame construction, providing structural support to the printer, especially important for the stability required for big 3D prints.

• 5/16″ Washers & 1/4″ Washers: Washers distribute pressure and prevent nuts and bolts from digging into the frame components.

• 5/16″-18 Hex Nuts & 1/4″-20 Hex Nuts: These hex nuts are used with the threaded rods to assemble the frame and other structural elements.

• #8 and #6 Machine Screws (1″ and 1/2″ lengths) with Washers and Nuts: Smaller machine screws are used for various mounting tasks throughout the printer assembly.

• (2) 5mm to 8mm Couplings: These couplings connect the Z-axis stepper motors to the 8mm threaded rods, transmitting rotational motion for vertical movement.

• Super Glue: Super glue is useful for bonding frame extrusion sections, adding extra rigidity to the printer frame.

Filament and Consumables

• (5) Spools of PLA Filament: PLA filament is a common and easy-to-print material for 3D printing. You’ll need filament to print the parts for the printer itself, as well as for your future big 3D prints.

• ABS Filament (Recommended for Hotend and Heatbed Parts): ABS filament offers higher temperature resistance and durability compared to PLA. It’s recommended for printing parts that will be exposed to heat, such as hotend mounts and potentially heatbed components.

• 3D Printer to Print Parts (or 3D Printing Service): You’ll need access to a 3D printer to create the printed parts required for this project. Alternatively, you can use a 3D printing service.

Assembly and Miscellaneous

• 5/16″ – 8mm Hardware Alternative: Where 5/16″ hardware is listed, 8mm hardware can often be used as a substitute if it is more readily available or cost-effective. This applies to frame braces, belt axis bolts, and X-Y gantry bearing bolts.

• Foam Filling (Crack Sealer/Gap Filler): Expanding foam can be used to fill printed frame extrusions, adding significant rigidity and weight without using excessive amounts of filament. Important: Do not use foam on parts exposed to high temperatures like the hotend or heatbed.

• Parts to be Printed, Rod Lengths to be Cut, Recommended Infill Tables: Refer to the attached images for detailed lists and specifications for printed parts, rod lengths, and infill recommendations. These tables are crucial for accurate part preparation and assembly.

Image: Example of countersunk machine screw and wire stripper/bolt cutter for manual screw length adjustment.

Image: Example of expanding foam recommended for filling frame extrusions to enhance rigidity.

Image: Detailed table listing parts to be 3D printed, quantities, and material recommendations.

Image: Table specifying required lengths for smooth rods and threaded rods for accurate cutting.

Image: Table outlining recommended infill percentages and foam filling suggestions for printed parts.

Conclusion: Building Your Foundation for Big 3D Prints

This comprehensive parts list provides a solid foundation for constructing a 3D printer capable of creating big 3D prints. By carefully sourcing these components and following detailed assembly instructions (available separately), you can build a powerful tool to unleash your creativity and bring large-scale 3D printing projects to life. Remember to prioritize quality components, especially for the power supply and motion components, to ensure reliability and precision in your big 3D prints. Happy building!