You might be interested in taking a look at putting a tetrahedron on the top to make a taller delta more stable. I have not thoroughly tested this idea, but seems like tying the 3 columns together at the top should make it more stable. Here is my parametric design for that on thingiverse: Parametric Tetrahedron Top for Delta 3D Printer by GeoDave

 

Certainly looks neat

 

The biggest benefit from orientation probably comes from the wheel mount width, the narrower the wheels mount the more error in torsional deflection, which can be a real thing with high acceleration moves.

 

Is there some optimum width between the pairs of Delta Arms or should it be based on the width of the wheel spacing? I have not seen where anyone has mentioned this. I was checking some dimenions on mag effectors on thingiverse & saw dimensions of 46,50,54 & one that was over 70mm between the centerlines of the pair of rods. Looks like the Traxxus carriage I was starting with was about 60mm. I am planning to design an effector and carriage to use with these parts I bought. Thought I might thread a steel M4 bolt on the opposite side of rounded disc magnets to keep the magnet in place by pulling it towards the steel bolt.

Here are the magnets & threaded steel balls I purchased. I thought this was a very good price for $7.50 for the magnets & the steel balls.
18pcs N52 Strong Round Magnets D12x5mm Rare Earth Neodymium Magnet with 4mm Hole

16Pcs Φ10 M4 Threaded Steel Ball Rod Ends For Kossel 3D Printer Magnetic Joints

 

I'm in process of building a delta with strong influences from this delta-six design and I'm going to use the exact magnets & balls you linked to. My own crude testing has showed the ball/magnet combo holds slightly more than 600gms of weight before separating.. I'm hoping this is strong enough but time will tell.

I had a similar question regarding arm spacing the theory out there is as wider is better, with limit being effector size. My plan is to run 70mm between centrelines. Here is some discussion (hopefully posting this link is ok?) about it Optimum Arm Spacing

 

Thanks for that link. That should be very helpful. I am using 2060 aluminum, so I should be able use wider arms. I will have to start looking at effector design to see what width I want them.

 

I've tested the joints on my experimental effector design at about 60lbs load per joint and the plastic printed part holds up without any issues, not the slightest movement and the bearing still moves freely. I'm planning on widening it up a bit more still. The joints are 90 cents and weigh 12 grams, and have a static load rating of about 1000 lbs.

I printed my own misalignment spacers to allow huge angular freedom.







Here's a little video demo without the spacers on both sides https://goo.gl/photos/WTuL6jXkk7HP7GH56

And here's an STL of how it is currently 3dModeling/MegaFector.stl at master · justinledwards/3dModeling · GitHub

 

Also here's a design I ended up not wanting to go with because the aluminum rod bent much more easily than I had thought it would.

 

What type of plastic are you using? I am using PETG.

 

I use PLA, impact resistant PLA, and PETG

 

@Justin Edwards Where did you get the ball joints from?

thanks

Lee

 

Spherical rod ends M3 n M5 the 5MM ID rod ends.
Misalignment spacer cad is here Onshape
My latest effector design, that I'm pretty happy with after 3 versions is here. Onshape

 

Very interesting concept. My one concern is that the extra direct of motion allowed by those joints could possibly allow the print head to wobble?

 

That shouldn't be allowed to happen as long as your rod lengths are all identical forcing the joints to be parallel. That's why it's pretty important to use a single solid jig to make all of the rods.

 

@Justin Edwards
Thanks for the reply, I did not know about Onshape, I have just spend the last few days using it to design a new effector for my printer.

 

so i built the ob13 and the ox cnc off this site. I just started printing parts for this today cant wait to get started on it. just using the files in the zip. Anyone reccomend different files besides the ones in the zip file.

 

hi...im new here....
im planning to build Delta 3D printer and i already have 4 unit 1500mm v-slot...my dimension is 1500mm vertical & 500mm horizontal....can anybody calculate for me the best arm lenght refer to my dimension?

want to use magnetic ball to hold effector.....what is the latest stl file all component to build this monster?

Best Regards
SleekGrid Syndicate

 

Back further in this thread there was mention of calculators for the arm length.

I used the calculator to get close and then some coathanger wire cut to length to simulate the arms to check how looked. maybe balsa wood from a hobby shop?

Wild guess is around 450mm.

 

btw, Sleekgrid,

My machine is in the ball park of what you are building, because my machine is oversize from the original design, I have had problems with shaking at high speed. I ended up bracing diagonally on each side and it is now solid as a rock.

With the benefit of hind site, (the next revision) I will make the top and bottom sections box sections, eg double up the verticies and horizontal assemblies at the top and bottom, space them say 200mm vertical and then bolt aluminium plate around the outside. At the least it will give you some where to hide the electronics

 

Ok Imclaren...i'll try it first

 

Imclaren...can you show me your setup?
maybe anybody here can show up their Delta 3D Printer with pict using this simple spec :

PROJECT NAME :
VERTICAL LENGHT : (MM)
HORIZONTAL LENGHT :
ARM LENGHT :
MATERIAL : 2020, 2040, 2060
PRINT AREA SIZE :

MOTOR TYPE :
PULLEY : _____ (TOOTH) BORE SIZE :
BELT SIZE :
HOTEND :
CONTROLLER BOARD :

ADDON ITEMS : AUTO LEVELING, ETC

So all newbies can make reference...tq

Best Regards,
SleekGrid Syndicate

 

It's bin a while but I'm still working away in the background on a few things.
I'm not sure how many have a completed build yet but here is where I am on my delta
I will post the files once I get to my PC
Finished the custom heat bed last night and all that's left is the wiring

 

Thanks Kyo
Here are my files, I made printable versions of the alumi parts but suggest getting your hands on milled versions.

 

Thanks man firing up the printer now! Will also see what aluminum i have laying around i think all i have is 1/8"

 

That's all you need for the carriage and belt plates the effector plate is 1/4

 

Awesome...!! Robert Hummel....

 

Robert Hummel I sent you a pm

 

reply sent

 

I'm starting a build based on this Delta-Six design. My other build (barely started) is the C-Bot. I decided to do the delta first because I already have the extrusions for it in approximately the correct length.

After reading through this discussion, I decided to double up on the vertex assemblies for more rigidity. I will add diagonal bracing later if needed to reduce twisting of the frame. I re-modeled the vertexes in SolidWorks so I can eventually model the entire thing using the tool I am by far most proficient with.

Horizontals are 450mm and Verticals are 1200mm. Both dimensions subject to change based on more research I've yet to complete.

This is my first delta of any kind. I should be able to print all my parts in ABS given my current printing situation - however I am considering PETG as well.

Does anyone see any general problems with my plan, or with my remodeling of the vertexes?