Meopta based 3D Printer

This printer is based on a Meopta Opemus 6*6cm enlarger frame.

Like the Dursts, the column has a rack and pinion drive that seems appropriate to drive Z. Experience with the Dursts indicates that a servo controller is needed and the conversion will wait on that being ready.

Overview of the MEopta based 3Dprinter. The X aaxis is an old Epson dot matrix printer. Th motor was changed to a 0.9 degree variant. The Y axis is a modular MGN7 rail base d structure compatible to Cubist. The Z drive needed to be upgraded to 24V as 12 was insufficient to reliable drive the somewhat massive structure. The Octoprint controller is visible at back right.

The Z drive as it exists. The drive seems smoother than wither of the Durst based printers and time will soon tell if closed loop feedback is required.

The Y axis showing an E3D extruder positioned jut above the cooling tower. The Y drive motor is on the gondola and can be seen just to the right of the cooling fan. The mass of cables is always a concern on a 3D printer. The RAMPS controller is mounted on the Z carriage just below the Z drive controller seen above.

Closeup of the tool gondola. The PCB at lower right is simply the Z probe switch mount, The upper PCB mounts an IDC conenctor for fans and thermistor. Hotends are easy to swap , there being a single screw to tighten it in plce. The footprint of his tool gondola is about 70*50mm and is nearing my first goal (50mm square)

X motor and endstop. The print bed is a sheet of MDF overlayed by glass. A heater will be added at some stage. The glass is sufficiently large to support up to 4 print heads simultaneously printing Covid shields. These will be added after the initial bukld is stabilised.