Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dr. Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

The aim and objective of this project is to investigate the benefits of increasing the capabilities of a 3D printer to incorporate two more axes of freedom. Traditional 3D printers are capable of extruding material on a horizontal surface - referred to in this report as the printer bed - by way of a gantry system that moves linearly in three dimensions. Conventional methods of 3D printing require slicing software that generates G Code to send commands to the gantry to move the extruder and dispense materials in layers, which often require the use of support material. Support material is necessary to prevent collapse and/or deformation of the prototype during printing but is ultimately removed by the user in the end. An increasing concern in the engineering community is the waste of time and materials necessary to produce rapid prototypes. Another concern, particularly to Team 19’s Sponsor, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), is the limitations of existing 3D printers and coupled slicing algorithms to accurately rapidly produce geometries that are true to the design. Oftentimes, for complex geometric structures and surface features, the model will be simplified, for the printer to execute its tasks. This report explores the benefits of designing of a 3D printer with a rotating printer bed. The printer bed design was inspired by existing patents and literature of gimbals as they relate to the photography and robotics industry. An existing 3D printer was selected by the team for being particularly modifiable and budget friendly. The printer is equipped with a custom printer bed, which is capable of rotating about the X and Y axes as they are defined in the Engineering Analysis section of this report. This printer bed was designed in the Fall semester and manufactured during the Spring of 2021. Testing and redesign were performed to determine that the selection of two NEMA 17 stepper motors are acceptable to the application of the printer bed. Having modified an Anet A-8 3D printer kit to house this custom printer bed, it has been shown that the overall hardware design of this 5-axis 3D printer is functional. Development of a controller to operate the printer bed began in the March of 2021 and did not reach completion, as well as the design of slicing software necessary to interpret G Code to automate the Penta Drücker’s movements.

Comments

Team Name: Team 19, Penta Drucker

Sponsor: Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)

Sponsor Representative: Erick Javier

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