Experiments With a Big 3D Printer and Pellet Extruder

This video shows what happened when I mounted a Filabot/Massive Dimension MDPH2 pellet extruder on a large Motionmaster CNC router - retrofit with a Centroid Acorn and big steppers - to try to 3D print molds for composite manufacturing.
This video describes the... journey.
For more amateur-hour CNC action, check out my 5-Axis Retrofit Video: • My Big 5 Axis CNC Rout...
Links:
MDPH2 - Pellet Extruder:
massivedimensi...
Centroid Acorn:
www.centroidcn...
Big Steppers:
www.automation...
Big Busted Motionmaster with 3' of Z:
Craigslist, Ebay... good luck! www.cncpd.com might have some leads.
Check out my composites how-to book/website at: explorecomposi...

[@rolkisd]

You are on a right path, my friend. I am master in this technology. Both, milling and printing with pellets. Have even stated with my homemade extruder. Keep up the good work !

[@ExploreComposites]

Thanks! As you can tell I haven't mastered any of this - but it's really interesting and has a lot of potential. I'd love to see what you're working on!

[@keronGR]

what is your feedback on pellet extrusion. Worth the time, considering the amount of energy needed for producing a part??? Dimensional wise, the tolerances are poor, aren't they??

[@tS-gh9dj]

What is it called when a part gets 3-D printed and then CNC’ed to final depth I’m having a hard time finding anything on it when I look up CNC and 3D printer ?

[@ExploreComposites]

There doesn't seem to be a word for that yet that I know of... Most refer to it like: "machining a near-net shape print" or "post-print machining" or "machining to final surface geometry". If you come up with a better answer please let me know!

[@SuperYellowsubmarin]

Clearpath Servos and Centroid Acorn. The only right way.

[@ExploreComposites]

It's a good combo! I would have liked to use Clearpaths for the axis motors too but it was easier to use NEMA42 frames and I needed the torque so went with cheap huge steppers.

[@daveb1870]

Your channel is fantastic. You get into a lot of different stuff, from retro fitting a router with win cnc (not my favorite cam software but it is what it is) to utilizing an extruder for massive prints. All in all the parts you were printing would suffice since they will undergo a secondary machining operation. Lookheed has a massive one and they made us some dies that took quite a few days to final machine finish. I like your channel, btw the lockheed massive tootsie roll making printer had no hearted bed or enclosed but it did run a tamper. There were voids all over and it was to be expected as it was still in testing stages. The consumer wanted the part two months ago kinda crap so they did what they had to do. Overall the dies we got were quite impressive when youre standing not having to think about how many more hours a solid billet aluminum would take to machine over just a few hours of "touch up"

[@ExploreComposites]

Thanks! Glad you found some of it interesting. I do wish I could have kept that big printer and done a round of improvements. There may be something to this 3D printing thing! The WinCNC wasn't the best choice for a 5 axis but it was cost-effective(ish) and I knew how to use it - do you have any CNC control recommendations for 6 axis+? I just wanted to avoid MachX and was too clueless about Linux for LinuxCNC - but want to learn!

[@daveb1870]

@@ExploreComposites Esprit is one of the only ones I know of that has an excellent post processor. 4A lot of the other ones will require a custom post processor. And just a fyi, theres a product called devcon, you can get it in a few different flavors7, titanium is one of my favorites. Fantastic stuff, massive compressive strength. Can fill a keyway a8nd re-machine it and have a working product in hrs. Can come in handy filling voids that are to be put under vacuum and i3n an autoclave. Will stand up to probably ten bar. Pita to san9d, best to use a wood rasp to get it close prior to it setting it up. Then sand, sand and mpre sanding. Bit it conducts electricity, so you could even use it in a sinker or wire edm. 7Very versatile, and itll stick the moon to the earth of u could.9 Id like to tall to you more about your products 6but placing numbers and email om here sends 0the spam bin quickly filling.9 EST

[@tomasfm4365]

I prefer the Mahor extruder but this is nice too

[@ExploreComposites]

I've never used that one but seen some videos - looks nice!

[@rohitmaity2529]

How electricity it consumes ?

[@ExploreComposites]

I don't know - the machine ran on a 20 amp 208v circuit - with plenty to spare. The extruder barrel has 300w heaters - 110v - so not much!

[@doutorwiliam]

Very cool! :D

[@ExploreComposites]

Thanks!