Ok so I received some components today I won't be able complete the board though I still need the MOSFET IRLB 8743 I have plenty of MOSFET IRFZ 44N used in the version 1.4 board. Along with this I still need the 24 pin ATX power plug.I will have to wait for those components.I will continue to assemble the board up to the point of installing the Atmega and the MOSFETs this will give me time to start with the frame.

I did some reading and apparently the 8743 MOSFET is recommended because of a lower operating temperature.


you can read more at:  http://reprap.org/wiki/Gen7_Research

Ok so I managed to get the PCB layout printed to the photo paper in the proper size took half a Forrest to get to the point where I can transfer the print to the blank board.

The printer photo paper next to the blank before I cleaned it.

                                                The photo paper in water to aid with removal.

About 10 minutes in the water and we have.....

Will need to go back into the water.

not 100% happy with the result , but then again its my first attempt ever at it.

                                             A few places to touch up and then the ferric chloride.

And my first ever home made PCB not have bad....

will be better with the next one..

the components should a arrive tomorrow and then we can begin to assemble the board!!!!

Ok... so what will we build then?

Reprap?

Lets consider a few thing:

1 availability of parts.
2 ease of construction.

with that in mind lets start with the electronics.

The most popular boards at the moment is the RAMPS,Sanguinololu and Generation_7_Electronics.

My first choice was the RAMPS and the the availability problem kick in. same was the case with Sanguinololu, none available in South Africa.

I decided to go with the Gen7 ver 1.5 board found all the detail needed the edge the board at home.
next I will need to get all the components required to assemble the board,
Gen7 Board-AVR 1.5  for all the detail needed to build the board.

  The Gen 7 v 1.5 has on board USB so no need for the add on USB interface.

with this board I will use #
Pololu DRV8825 Stepper Motor Driver Carrier, High Current 2.2A
4 NEMA 23 1.0 NM Stepper motors and 1 0.5NM stepper for the extruder.

next step get all the parts.

lets get started.....

3D printing is taking the world by storm and everyone is jumping on the band wagon. 

For the last couple of weeks I have been looking at the entry level commercial units from main stream companies, the DIY kits and every thing in between and have come to the following conclusions.

1. These things are expensive

2. Being in the ass end of the world parts are hard to come by.

3. Building your own will "probity" cost more than buying a commercial unit.

So why am I creating this blog?????

I like to tinker with things?????

I have no engineering training everything I know is self taught or knowledge gained in unconventional ways....

I would like to try and use what I have available and  and see whether or not I can get working 3D printer

with the same better print quality than a commercial machine costing R14 000.00.

 and with that said in the words or Richard Brandson 

 "Screw it lets Do it"