EEVblog #326 - Makerbot Replicator Teardown

Teardown Tuesday.
What makes the Makerbot Replicator tick?
And the benefit of Open Source Hardware and NOT using the Non-Commercial license.

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[EEVblog]

I was thinking of retrofitting a bigger quieter fan. Are the Delta's low noise? My first thought would have been a Papst. Don't know if this has a temp sensor either or not, so possible improvement there too.

[EEVblog]

At one point I had one teardown video up my sleeve, but am back to no buffer I'm afraid. This video was shot yesterday.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Hey dave - remember heat rises.... it would not suck warm air downwards

[sciguy]

That's correct. We even used them on the Thing-O-Matic, so I didn't people connecting them to this.

[fenclu]

I was SOO bored and then I saw another EEVblog video! You made my day, Dave!

[randacnam]

The 24V only warning on the RGB LED strip connector is most likely because 12V RGB LED strips are also out there (and are somewhat more common) and would die almost instantly if connected to 24V.

[Andrew_Sparrow]

15:52 ha.. watched this full screen and found myself trying to scroll the PDF document! doh... - The biggest benefit of using a stepper controller is the micro stepping, full step control is trivial in code but controlling the current to each coil takes a lot more work. - Having the boards modular they could even be looking to sell them individually as like a breakout board? maybe as simple as a higher weight copper board for the heat sink?

[EEVblog]

Ah, good point, I had heard about that mod. Yes, I can see why having the whole area at a uniform temp would be advantageous.

[MyBrothersMario]

Ah yes, the Replicator, the point when Makerbot started going downhill as a company.

[Mr_Wh]

Delta is everything but low noise.
Papst is fine, but I would suggest a static pressure fan.
Many PC shops, has good performing low-noise fans, but they can sometimes be a bit expensive.

If you want a good low-noise variety of fans, you should try Scythe GentleTyphoon 120 mm. You can get them in many rpm modes. 500 - 1850 rpm.

[EEVblog]

If the Arduino had a non-commercial clause, it almost certainly would never have taken off like it did.

[BersekViking]

The data sheet for the stepper controller says to use 2 oz copper in the example.
Maybe thats why it is a seperate board? 2 oz for power circuit and 1 oz for logic?

[sciguy]

No, this system is only 24V, 5V and 3.3V (for the SD card)

[electricsnut]

mmm definitely audible, most 40mm's are since they need to rev so high, also have Delta 120mm 12v fans laying around and 24v Nidec blower fans which are good because they are much lower profile.

If you could be bothered there are quite a few PWM fan control circuits that use thermistors. Especially with 4 wire Nidec fans :)

Nidec have a simple schematic for their fans based on a 555 timer.

[aptsys]

I suspect the separate motor controller boards are to make them easily replaceable when they get blown up.

[EEVblog]

That would also be another valid reason to separate.

[Redline-]

Dave, can you create a duct for that fan on the bottom side and show us how you use the software?

[kvfive]

Did you do a print comparison of that 'Microscope' adaptor thingy you printed on the 'Makerbot Cupcake' style machine ? I remember the old machine had issues with flat spots on the inner circle of the adaptor (accuracy too)

[daveb]

Props to bre petis for thinking your steve jobs; close sourcing, selling out then getting fired. You're not steve jobs.

[MetalPhreakAU]

Delta fans are usually of the high speed high air volume high reliability & high noise variety :)