Making a 3D printer

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi im new here and would like to know how feasible it is to build a 3D printer with arduino; im also here to seek guidence for this build.

I think the materials that are going to be needed is:

A flat board (things are going to be printed on this)

An arm like object that will eject plastic onto the flat board; this arm will have an ejecting point at the tip end of the arm. Im also thinking that there is going to be a need for an off/on button at the tip of the arm in order to stop the process. This arm will stay immobile.

Now i just need to have the components to move the board in the x and y direction. Is that all to a 3d printer? or Do i have to dive deeper? like have a anti stick board so that the plastic doesnt get stuck on the board. Then have a heater so that the arm tip doesn't harden due to non-usesage.

Anybody have a clue on how the software portion is going to be like? I am guessing that the program will tell the printer to print the x and y axis and just move up along the z axis; kind of like drawing at a cross section position. What do you guys think? Am i headed in the right direction? Thanks for the tips

2

Very feasible.
You will need X, Y, Z control, plastic flow on/off, probably heater control too.

Have you looked at the RepRap project?

Update your profile too, we can offer more specific geographic help.

3

Thanks for the reply. What is a heat controller? And would the heat controller control the plastic (Melt on/off)?

I checked the reprap project and they dont have any DIYs on 3D printers; well, they do but i dont have any money to buy parts from them. Any DIY's out there? Thanks in advance.

4

I checked the reprap project and they dont have any DIYs on 3D printers;

Check again there is lots of designs for different types of printer. Look for the rep straps if you don't want to buy any printed parts, there are lots of designs including those made from wood.

And would the heat controller control the plastic

Yes that part is called the extruder and again there are lots of different designs.

I think you need to check that site more thoroughly.