D3D_Printer

The 3D printer design for the D3D Fusion Project. Design rationale is found here.

Build

Use OpenSCAD version 2015.03 or later. See OpenSCAD web page for instructions. Open up Footer.scad, and explore by uncommenting single lines (render single modules).

Code style and structure

Use good names

Global parameters names are capitalized. Smooth_rod_separation is global, smooth_rod_separation is not. The larger the parameter scope, the longer and more descriptive the name.

Modules in util.scad have capitalized names. All other modules have non-capitalized names.

Prefer 2D drawings

Flat modules and flat parts of nearly flat modules are drawn in 2D first and then extruded to preserve support for manufacturing processes that cut parts from sheet material.

Make thoughts/ideas/contracts explicit with comments

Any sub-module that's too small to be a meaningful module definition can still have a meaningful name. Make informal in-line comments like // Middle weird hole near edge.

Describe relevant thoughts on usage, interfaces and parameters above any module definition. Put explicit usage examples in Footer.scad.

Files

Measured_numbers.scad Parameters that are collected from blueprints of parts that are supposed to be bought already mounted.

Design_numbers.scad The parameters that a builder/kit maker of this printer needs to decide/know.

D3D_Printer.scad The body of this design. Contains the main module, called assembled_printer().

Rendering_control.scad Contains some booleans controlling if categories of parts should be rendered as well as rendered positions for moving parts.

Footer.scad Lists defined modules after they have been defined in D3D_printer.scad. Useful for exploring modules, arranging them for easier printing and similar. All modules listed here should use Design_numbers.scad to define sensible default values of all parameters.

dummy.scad Toy modules with hard coded parameters.

util.scad Generally useful modules copied exactly from other projects.