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  1. #1

    Dollo 3D Printable 3D Printer

    3D printers 3D printing more 3D printers isn't any longer that far-flung of an idea, thanks to initiatives like the RepRap Project. While electronics and other parts keep this complete self-replicating system from being fully realized, advances are getting ever closer. Benjamin Engel and his father have now produced the most self-replicating 3D printer yet, with their Dollo 3D printer. Able to be printed with just 1kg of filament, the Dollo can be 3D printed in about 18 hours. It is also scalable, and the Engels are looking to put their machine on Kickstarter in the near future, for only about $300 and with a planned optional CNC router. Read more details about their clever 3D printer in the full article: http://3dprint.com/63229/dollo-3d-pr...prints-itself/


    Below is a photo of the Dollo 3D printer:

  2. #2
    Staff Engineer
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    934
    Oh man that looks like fun. Not a workhorse printer by any strech, but probably good for a kids' project (with supervision of course, the hot end is no children's toy.) Speaking of which, what kind of hotend does it use, is that an E3D Volcano, or is it a proprietary one?
    Also, I notice you missed the build plate in the list of non-printed parts, I guess the hot bed is optional?

  3. #3

    I created the dollo

    Quote Originally Posted by Feign View Post
    Oh man that looks like fun. Not a workhorse printer by any strech, but probably good for a kids' project (with supervision of course, the hot end is no children's toy.) Speaking of which, what kind of hotend does it use, is that an E3D Volcano, or is it a proprietary one?
    Also, I notice you missed the build plate in the list of non-printed parts, I guess the hot bed is optional?
    We are going to be making them with e3D hot-ends, but its a modular design and you could make a mount for any hot-end really. Secondly the bed wasn't on the list on non printed parts because we are planning on printing the lower bed, and a heated bed is not needed for milling or laser etching, but if you want to print with ABS then yes a heated bed is needed and not printable, and thirdly its more than just for kinds (although great for kids), if you want you can put some metal rods in it (I made it so you can if you want) and make the printer as large as you want, their is nothing stopping you from making it large enough to print a car, most kinds wont be going that deep into what it is capable of doing.

  4. #4

    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by benengel94 View Post
    if you want you can put some metal rods in it (I made it so you can if you want) and make the printer as large as you want
    Smart thinking, really. I whish you the best on KS!!

  5. #5
    Technologist
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    china
    Posts
    121
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    I find it very interesting, very good idea, I would like to see it complete.
    www.reprapmall.com

  6. #6
    Technologist
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    184
    I've been printing and hacking away with the design for some time and I've got a build that works quite well. The quality isn't very good at the moment but getting there. The design itself is not the problem, getting the parts printed right is. For me the whole process of building this has been a bit of a learning experience in part tolerances and printer calibration . Also I've done some remodeling and new models as needed.

    Couple of latest prints:
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/u3nggb3wrmjklb4/2016-11-01%2016.28.36.jpg?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/u510cxwljbilwdy/2016-11-01%2016.29.35.jpg?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/drrf72g6yuout2b/2016-11-01%2016.29.49.jpg?dl=0

    Anyone else with working Dollo or printing one?
    Last edited by spegelius; 05-03-2017 at 10:30 AM. Reason: links

  7. #7
    Technologist
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    184
    Been creating models and printing stuff quite a lotfor Dollo so here's some updates about my build:
    - created a model to attach PSU underneath the frame
    - adapter for RAMPS box mount to Dollo bow tie setup (excuse the messy cables)
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.59.16.jpg
    - printed some extension parts and now Z-axis gows up to 41 cm
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.58.29.jpg
    - fixed problem with Z-wobble caused by bent threaded rods. I created a rail setup that makes the bed move straight:
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.58.45.jpg
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.59.01.jpg
    - assorted parts

    The build volume is now 120x93x413mm. I haven't yet tried how well very tall prints work, planning to do that this week. I fear that the frame isn't rigid enough and causes too much play, especially when Z-height grows. A short ~3cm box was fine, but doesn't tell anything.

    I also printed enough parts to expand X and Y axes so the build volume would be 210x210x413mm. That'll need some more parts for the X and Y rails, though and I'll probably need to lengthen some cables also.

  8. #8
    Technologist
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    184
    Yesterday I printed a 40cm model: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:157102 Z scaled 200%. It went better than expected, my worries about the plastic frame giving too much was unwarranted, at least with this model. There's some distortion at couple of places, probably dues to the slider's not moving equally due to different PLA types used. Also some Z-wobble still, the printed nut is too tight and bent rod twists the bed. Need to print a looser one or figure some kind of joint system, dunno. Anyways, the print went better than I hoped, maybe this'll be a printer yet .

    0.3mm layer, Esun green PETG @240C. Roughly 5h 20min
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45385735/3dprinting/Dollo/2016-12-14 19.29.30.jpg
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45385735/3dprinting/Dollo/2016-12-14 19.29.42.jpg
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45385735/3dprinting/Dollo/2016-12-14 19.29.59.jpg

  9. #9

  10. #10
    Technologist
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Posts
    184
    Finally got to expanding my Dollo printer in X and Y axes (sorry about the bad quality, Jolla C doesn't have very good camera...). Needed to print lot of extension parts and ties, also some of the older extensions needed to be replaced as they were printed badly (bad printer, bad settings...)
    The axis dimensions are 240mm x 210mm x 435mm (x y z) currently.
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.48.22.jpg

    I use PETG for the ties, they are bit more flexible than PLA and seem to make tighter joints. Also it helps when joining parts that are printed on different printers and don't have 100% same dimensions.
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2015.51.02.jpg


    I also did bit better cable management and designed these clips that attach to the bow tie grooves on the frame. It helps, but there's still room for improvement , especially around the RAMPS box. Z motor wires needed to be extended too.
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2018.25.57.jpg
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.48.57.jpg

    The bed looks quite small now and is bit too small compared to the X axis. Also the bolt heads stick out and care needs to be taken so that nozzle doesn't hit them. The current bed carriage setup is too flimsy due to the extra lenght, but works for the time being. Need to design much beefier parts and maybe move the rails inside the frame.
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2017.14.46.jpg
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2021.49.27.jpg

    The X and Y racks were also updated as more length was needed. For X rack, I did some redesignin of the motor mount and the rack. For Y, I used the leftover X rack (it was two 9cm rack parts joined) on both sides. Also finally found out why I had some artifacts in prints:
    1. the bolts that fastens the gears to the motor shafts were bit too long and would hit the rack once in revolution and cause a bump
    2. the rack joints weren't completely smooth, so I took some time to sand them properly
    Now they move quite smoothly, without extra bumps.
    https://github.com/spegelius/Dollo/b...L/rackv4_4.stl
    https://github.com/spegelius/Dollo/b...t_small_v4.stl
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2017.15.05.jpg

    Currently printing Benchy (scaled to 200%):
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2015.51.35.jpg

    Current problems I need to address:
    - frame isn't that rigid, as I've already mentioned. Especially the corners give way too much. So far doesn't seem to affect quality much, when printing moderately slowly, but then again I haven't done too many prints yet. This'll need some experimenting about how to fix. Maybe some corner pieces to make it more stiff
    - related to the above, the angles aren't straight. So calibration is needed.
    - bed carriage too flimsy.
    - X and Y motor gears will probably start slipping after a while. I've seen it happen. Current design use M3 bolts to fasten them to the motor shaft, but the gears are plastic and they start to give after a while, causing backlash. X and Y axes put quite a strain on them as the racks have bit of friction. I've been contemplating about changing the M3 bolts to M4 and also annealing the gears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZX8eHC7fws. Maybe even drill a hole through the motor shaft for the bolt
    - no part cooling fan. Need to design one.
    - bed bolt heads.
    - other stuff I forget...

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