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Original PhlatPrinter

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Mark Carew, Nov 8, 2013.

Original PhlatPrinter

Original PhlatPrinter

Discussion in 'CNC Mills/Routers' started by Mark Carew, Nov 8, 2013.

Phlatprinter foam cutting CNC machines are awesome space saving mills that use a rotary axis as a sheet feed.

phlatprinter cnc foam rc airplanes projects phlatboyz router open source
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  1. SlowBipe

    SlowBipe New
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    Mark, is there anyway that you might be able to post more pics of what you have worked up on the V channel foam cutter? I couldn't see a lot from the one pic you posted. Maybe that would spur some more dialog on here for new ideas. I like what you did post.

    Slowbipe
     
    #31 SlowBipe, Jul 23, 2014
  2. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Hi SlowBipe,
    At the moment I have the X and Z axis plate in the works and have been testing that. I still have to work out the best way to do the drive roller(s) and pressure rollers. I the gantry for the X/Z will be a universal gantry that can be used on lots of machines as a low profile light to medium duty gantry so I wanted to be sure to get this done first so that other builds could be in the works. So at the moment these gantry pics are the only ones I have and I hope to have more soon.
    Thanks
    Mark
     
    #32 Mark Carew, Jul 23, 2014
  3. SlowBipe

    SlowBipe New
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    Thanks Mark for the quick reply. I understand how many projects you are working on. I look forward to hearing the ideas that you have on potential roller design.

    I would love to contribute with my experience using the pneumatics. This could simplify the design. It takes the spring forces off the machine and eliminates the need to have a bulk of weight to lift against when lifting the top rollers.
     
    #33 SlowBipe, Jul 23, 2014
  4. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Thanks @SlowBipe I think the pneumatic set up for the pressure rollers would be sweet for sure and I look forward to seeing this incorporated in this build! :thumbsup:
     
    #34 Mark Carew, Jul 23, 2014
  5. Bent Wing Bandit

    Bent Wing Bandit New
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    Why is the Phlatprinter l on the site with plans and a parts list and the Phlatprinter lll is not? I would think the lll is a more up to date model?
     
    #35 Bent Wing Bandit, Dec 2, 2014
  6. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    The Phlatprinter 1, 2 and 3 are separate machines that each have their own design files and builds.
    The Phlatprinter III is on the list (as time allows) to be released soon along with the Phlatformer! :thumbsup:
     
    #36 Mark Carew, Dec 2, 2014
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  7. nibbles

    nibbles New
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    Can anyone advise a UK source (or just metric dimensions) for the "Nylon Spacers #10 Screw (3/8inch x .171 x 1/2inch)"
    It's about the only part I'm struggling to source via ebay/local.

    Also, as I'm looking to take the dxf file to a local CNC shop, is this all from one 8'x4' sheet of 6mm MDF?
     
    #37 nibbles, Jan 12, 2016
  8. Balu

    Balu Well-Known
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    Nibbles, I have never used a Phlatprinter, but this is the oldest design and there were two later versions that improved a lot - as far as I've read.

    Mark Carew also mentioned that he'd love to build a fourth version based on openbuilds parts, but I'm not sure if he will get to that soon, because he seems to be pretty busy. (He announced that files for V3 are going to be released "soon" in Dec 2014... :) )
     
    #38 Balu, Jan 12, 2016
  9. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    @Balu lol Was it that long ago!? :) I do apologize as the plan was to release the MK3 as a build with all the trimmings but we did get busy and for that I am sorry.
    I will post the files here and if later we have the time we will release the MK3 as a full build.
    In the meantime, I have been working on a V-Slot Phlatprinter and have 2 prototypes on the table but the drive roller system is the bugger and I am not happy with it yet.

    So here are the unofficial release of the Phlatprinter MK3 plans!
    Zip file attached
    You can break this down to smaller sheets for cutting (we have it setup for 4'x8' sheets). You can use 1/4" material.
    Again, we hope to put up an official build with parts list and the discussion thread so that we have a place to show off mods and builds for the Phlatprinter MK3

    Hope this helps have fun guys and be sure to share if you build one we would love to see it!

    Phlatprinter MK3 pic 7.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    #39 Mark Carew, Jan 12, 2016
    n0kjf, Josh Mascote, nibbles and 1 other person like this.
  10. Balu

    Balu Well-Known
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    No need to apologize, I was mainly warning @nibbles to not go ahead and start building the very first (and old) version :).

    Why don't you show what you have so far as "in progress" and have some of the other master mechanics on this forum help finding ideas for the rollers? :)

    Brainstorming ideas back and forth is what makes this forum so awesome :)
     
    #40 Balu, Jan 12, 2016
    n0kjf and nibbles like this.
  11. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    That's the plan for sure, just need to get to that point :) We have it in line on the table so it definitely in cue.
     
    #41 Mark Carew, Jan 12, 2016
  12. nibbles

    nibbles New
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    Wow, if I'd have known my desire for a phlatprinter would spark the mk 3 being released, I'd have asked months ago. Lol.
    Thanks for the details Mark, and not wanting to be pushy, but is there a hardware list for the mk3?
    I've just ordered the gears and belt for the mk1, so I'm hoping they're the same on the mk3?
    Oh, and will I still need to track down those pesky nylon spacers still?
     
    #42 nibbles, Jan 12, 2016
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  13. Rick 2.0

    Rick 2.0 OpenBuilds Team
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    Will these do? Inside is a bit large but the outside is spot on. These actually are the ones for #10 screws, .171 is for #8.
     
    #43 Rick 2.0, Jan 12, 2016
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  14. nibbles

    nibbles New
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    Thanks Rick, at that price I'll order a few and even if they're not needed on the mk3, I'll use them for something.
     
    #44 nibbles, Jan 13, 2016
  15. matt_o_70

    matt_o_70 New
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    Mark,
    I'm wondering what size bit was used to cut these? 1/8" looks like I can't get skechucam to generate G-code for many features... did you use a 1/16 cutter?

    Often when I work on large files like this and place phlatscript features - Sketchup often hangs or crashes - I am alone or are there settings that can help prevent this?
     
    #45 matt_o_70, Jan 23, 2016
  16. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    I used a 1/8th" bit to cut these.
    If you used the Phlatscript on these it would take a long time to generate the file. I would suggest maybe processing a few of the parts at a time to make sure that they are ok then try using the gcode joiner to put them together.
    Another option on files this large would be to use software like cut 2d or artcam etc.
     
    #46 Mark Carew, Jan 23, 2016
  17. Giarc

    Giarc OpenBuilds Team
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    I never realized I wanted or needed a Phlatprinter until I saw this one. I still may not need one, but boy do I want one.
     
    #47 Giarc, Jan 23, 2016
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  18. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    lol I know what you mean @Giarc
    The Phlatprinter came to be after the first time I cut foamie plans out by hand. I said there has to be a better way and with only a limited space to work with in my garage it's small footprint turned out to be the perfect solution.
     
    #48 Mark Carew, Jan 24, 2016
  19. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    first make sure you are using the latest version (-: (of both Sketchup and SketchUcam)
    then, private message me your problem file so I can look at it.
    one thing that can affect this sort of thing is what OTHER plugins you have in addition to SketchUcam, and of course available memory etc. try purging that big drawing of all deleted stuff so Sketchup has less work to do.

    in terms of generating Gcode, you can speed that up by selecting only the stuff you want code for, SketchUcam will only process the selections. This means that on a large drawing where you are only generating for a portion of it that is within a reduced safe area, if you select the stuff inside the safe area it will be much faster.

    the other thing to watch for is having too many line segments in the first place. particularly drawings that originated in other CAD packages, or from a scan/vectorize process, can have many tiny line segments that you do not need.
    If you add cutlines for all those tiny lines it takes ages, as does generating Gcode from it. I use a plugin called, IIRC 'edgetools2' that has a 'simplify' tool that will combine small segments into one longer segment.

    try
    Edge Tools² | SketchUp Extension Warehouse
    or this one I just found as well
    Simplify Contours Tool | SketchUp Extension Warehouse
     
    #49 David the swarfer, Jan 24, 2016
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  20. nibbles

    nibbles New
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    I know you're probably really busy @Mark Carew, but just wondered if there's a parts list floating around for the Mk3 - just want to see what I can use from the parts gathered so far for the Mk1 build.
    Cheers in advance
     
    #50 nibbles, Jan 25, 2016
  21. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Hello @nibbles no problem
    We do have a parts list that you can go by but I am not sure how complete it is anymore due to time, but it should point you in the right direction to find the parts needed.
    Hope it helps
     

    Attached Files:

    #51 Mark Carew, Jan 25, 2016
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  22. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    Just a general note to anyone wanting to cut these components from the original drawings.....
    in the the PP3 drawings and presumably the others, there are slots that are less than 1/8" wide (the ones for the edge retainer nuts on the backplate, for example).
    Therefore you cannot generate working cutlines using a 1/8" bit.
    Use a 3mm bit instead, which will fit into the slots.
     
    #52 David the swarfer, Jan 26, 2016
  23. nibbles

    nibbles New
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    Thanks Mark. - That's quite an extensive list mind!
    I think I'll continue accumulating the parts for the Mk1 (Always wanted one from the day you first showcased it!), and as time allows I'll try to track down UK equivalents on the Mk3 shopping list to build one day.
     
    #53 nibbles, Jan 26, 2016
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  24. 3DMON

    3DMON New
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    I have both a Phlatprinter 1 and 3....
    Build the PP3. It's a far better machine. My Phlatprinter 1 sits collecting dust.
     
    #54 3DMON, Jan 26, 2016
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  25. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    No problem @nibbles glad to help, I agree with @3DMON though you may want to go straight fro the MK3 as its the results of the community ideas all put into one machine with most of the guys having already used the MK1 and MK2 machines.
    Good point @David the swarfer thank you
     
    #55 Mark Carew, Jan 26, 2016
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  26. MTO

    MTO Well-Known
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    So... I have access to a laser cutter, and the small footprint of the phlatprinters really appeals. I forget the kerf on the cutter, but it is *MUCH* less than 1/8th, so cutting this out should be no problem, except for one problem: The cutter can "only" do 4' by 3'. Is there a natural way to split these up for the CAD handicapped?
     
    #56 MTO, Feb 17, 2016
  27. Angelobf

    Angelobf New
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    Mark , Project congratulations. I downloaded the plans of MK3 , but this in inches, not found here in Brazil Company que cutting CNC drawings DXF in inches, asked to move to millimeters , I do not know how to do and what I saw would have to redo the design , you or someone who is riding even have the drawing in DXF in millimeters or centimeters ?? Another question , Are There Any design or video how to mount the MDF structure , mechanics, electronics, rollers , shafts etc. I already googled and already know how to ride . I appreciate the help and will post here the evolution .
     
    #57 Angelobf, Jul 15, 2016
  28. Mark Carew

    Mark Carew OpenBuilds Team
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    Thank you for the kind words @Angelobf
    "you or someone who is riding even have the drawing in DXF in millimeters or centimeters ??" I do not but it should be as simple as running it though the post processor in mm. also the company cutting it should have no problem converting it to mm before cutting. If you are using 6mm material (in place of the 1/4" material we used) all they need to do is resize one of the tab slot holes to 6mm or whatever materiel thickness your using is and in turn resizing the entire design as well. I recommend using 6mm material as its close enough to 1/4" that all the hardware will work.
    We do have a build log but it is on several disk. If you get this cut out and need the disk let me know and I will see what i can do to send them to you. :)
    Hope this helps good luck with the build :thumbsup:
     
    #58 Mark Carew, Jul 15, 2016
  29. Angelobf

    Angelobf New
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    Mark , Thanks For Help When Receiving the MDF cut warning
     
    #59 Angelobf, Jul 15, 2016
  30. Black Knight

    Black Knight New
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    Is there somewhere I can buy the original phlatprinter kit in Australia??
     
    #60 Black Knight, Jul 15, 2016
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