10/09/2014 - Taking longer than I thought. I've done a lot of tests and trials and keep coming up with new ideas. Made many changes and additions and uploaded some new photos. Also uploaded the latest source file along with a pdf vesion. I have left to finish the design for the x motor and idler wheel. Also need to make a controller dock and limit stops. Plan to have 100% all lasered wood/acrylic 3D printer in the end, no 3D printed parts.
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After having the Mendel Prusa model for over a year and tired of tweaking it, I decided to upgrade to the Mendelmax, v1.5. I'm making all of the support hardware from 5mm birch plywood with a laser. I started from this design: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:166838.
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After cutting this design and trying it out, I came up with a lot of enhancements. I have made some additions too. Upgrading many of the mechanical parts to higher quality and precision.
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Making changes specifically for easy laser work. Reworked the x-ends to cut out a hex to hold the nuts for the 2 z-threaded rods.
Adding structural support in several areas.
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I've done a lot of design, retrofit and rework. This is a work in progress, so keep checking back, hope to be complete is about a week or so.