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Question #: 8001

Question: CONVERT BLACKFOOT 3D PRINTER

Current Solution

To convert our CNC machine into a 3D printer, an extruder would need to be attached to the z-axis. The extruder could be added next to the spindle, or the spindle can be removed and the extruder replace the spindle.

The former would be an interesting combination where you would be able to extrude plastic and then run the spindle afterwards to do some finishing passes; however, the weight of the spindle would reduce the performance. Without the spindle, the z-axis will move with reduced inertia.

The electronics would be mostly the same with the addition of an extruder controller and a main controller board to control the existing drivers.

You can find all of the 3D printer parts here:
https://buildyourcnc.com/3DPrinterComponents.aspx

If you need help with fashioning a mount for the FDM extruder, please let us know.



User response:
Yes what type of mount would I need for the FDM extruder ? Thanks Gary

User response:
Could you be a little more specific on what type of main board I'll need to purchase the board I'm using now for my router is a serial port interface purchased from you. Thanks Gary

BYCNC response:

The 3d printing board we sell works with an Arduino Mega 2560. We sell the Arduino here:

https://buildyourcnc.com/Item/3D-Printer-Component-electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-arduino-mega-2560-FDMElectronics

and the board here:

https://buildyourcnc.com/Item/3D-Printer-Component-electronicsAndMotors-3d-printer-mainboard-FDMElectronics-3dprintermainboard

We sell the extruder itself here:

https://buildyourcnc.com/item/3D-Printer-Component-extruder

You can manufacture the mount yourself using the BlackFoot, or you can contact us directly with your requirements and we would be happy to prepare a custom quote.

Respond:

Other Possible Solutions to this Question

  • how can I convert the whiteAnt from the 3D printer mode to the CNC milling mode?

    To convert the whiteAnt to a CNC machine, you will want to lower the upper structure to the lowest position to create the most rigidity overall. You will see that there are many holes below the sides of the upper structure that are evenly spaced. This is so you can adjust this lower. You will also want to fasten the lower sides to a substrate (piece of wood, or something) with l-brackets or something that has a bit of adjustment capability. This will keep the sides more rigid as well. Use a Dremel for the spindle. If you want to use a another spindle, let me know and we can product a mount for that spindle since the Dremel has poor runout (TIR). This is important if you are wanting really precise milling.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    how can I convert the whiteAnt from the 3D printer mode to the CNC milling mode?

  • CABLE LENGTHS FOR THE BLACKFOOT

    The blackfoot requires a total of 50 feet of cable.

    The X axis needs 15 feet
    The Y axis needs 17 feet
    and the Z-axis needs 18 feet

    These are 20 gauge 4 conductor cable.

    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    CABLE LENGTHS FOR THE BLACKFOOT

  • MOTOR CABLE FOR BLACKFOOT

    The blackfoot requires a total of 50 feet of cable.

    The X axis needs 15 feet
    The Y axis needs 17 feet
    and the Z-axis needs 18 feet

    These are 20 gauge 4 conductor cable.

    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    MOTOR CABLE FOR BLACKFOOT

  • BLACKFOOT SILICON TUBE FOR SPINDLE

    The Black foot requires 38 feet of 1/4 Inside Diameter and 3/8 Outside Diameter silicon tube for the spindle.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    BLACKFOOT SILICON TUBE FOR SPINDLE

  • WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME FOR BLACKFOOT

    You can expect a one week lead time for our machines.

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME FOR BLACKFOOT

  • BLACKFOOT SILICON TUBE

    The Blackfoot requires 38 feet of 1/4 Inside Diameter and 3/8 Outside Diameter silicon tube for the spindle.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    BLACKFOOT SILICON TUBE

  • MOTOR 4 CONDUCTOR CABLES FOR BLACKFOOT

    The blackfoot requires a total of 50 feet of cable.

    The X axis needs 15 feet
    The Y axis needs 17 feet
    and the Z-axis needs 18 feet

    These are 20 gauge 4 conductor cable.

    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    MOTOR 4 CONDUCTOR CABLES FOR BLACKFOOT

  • HOW MUCH MOTOR CABLE FOR THE BLACKFOOT?

    The motor cables for the blackToe are as follows:

    Total 30 feet

    X - 9
    Y - 10
    Z - 11

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    HOW MUCH MOTOR CABLE FOR THE BLACKFOOT?

  • HOW MUCH MOTOR CABLE DO I NEED FOR A BLACKFOOT

    The blackfoot requires a total of 50 feet of cable.

    The X axis needs 15 feet
    The Y axis needs 17 feet
    and the Z-axis needs 18 feet

    These are 20 gauge 4 conductor cable.

    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    HOW MUCH MOTOR CABLE DO I NEED FOR A BLACKFOOT

  • WHICH MACHINE SHOULD I BUY, GREENBULL OR BLACKFOOT?

    The greenBull can range is routing width sizes of 5 feet and 6 feet. The blackFoot has a 4 foot routing width.

    Previous Solution:
    The greenBull machine has a sturdier gantry than the blackFoot, so you can be more agressive with the cutting feedrate (cutting speed). The blackFoot is also a good machine, but it all comes down to the speed at which you want to produce the fabrication

    The spindle is also highly recommended for it's quietness and easier cleanup (no fan blowing the dust in the air)

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WHICH MACHINE SHOULD I BUY, GREENBULL OR BLACKFOOT?

  • WHICH MACHINE SHOULD I BUY, THE GREENBULL OR BLACKFOOT?

    The greenBull can range is routing width sizes of 5 feet and 6 feet. The blackFoot has a 4 foot routing width.

    Previous Solution:
    The greenBull machine has a sturdier gantry than the blackFoot, so you can be more agressive with the cutting feedrate (cutting speed). The blackFoot is also a good machine, but it all comes down to the speed at which you want to produce the fabrication

    The spindle is also highly recommended for it's quietness and easier cleanup (no fan blowing the dust in the air)

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WHICH MACHINE SHOULD I BUY, THE GREENBULL OR BLACKFOOT?

  • SHOULD I SELECT THE GREENBULL OR BLACKFOOT CNC MACHINE?

    The greenBull can range is routing width sizes of 5 feet and 6 feet. The blackFoot has a 4 foot routing width.

    Previous Solution:
    The greenBull machine has a sturdier gantry than the blackFoot, so you can be more agressive with the cutting feedrate (cutting speed). The blackFoot is also a good machine, but it all comes down to the speed at which you want to produce the fabrication

    The spindle is also highly recommended for it's quietness and easier cleanup (no fan blowing the dust in the air)

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    SHOULD I SELECT THE GREENBULL OR BLACKFOOT CNC MACHINE?

  • WHAT CABLE LENGTHS SHOULD USE FOR THE BLACKFOOT CNC MACHINE

    The blackfoot requires a total of 50 feet of cable.

    The X axis needs 15 feet
    The Y axis needs 17 feet
    and the Z-axis needs 18 feet

    These are 20 gauge 4 conductor cable.

    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WHAT CABLE LENGTHS SHOULD USE FOR THE BLACKFOOT CNC MACHINE

  • What power supply would be adequate for the whiteAnt 3D printer?

    The whiteAnt will work with a 6 amp 12 volt power supply. If you add more peripherals to the machine, like heating bed, you will want higher current. Each motor draws 3.0 amps at full torque. Most of the time, only the x and y axes are moving at the same time, and the drivers are only allowing a max of 2.5 amps and they should be set for about 2.0 amps so they don't overheat (they have overheat protection and the LED will light up, so you will be fine if it does overheat, but your model may suffer). The remaining current will be enough to keep the hot end heated.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    What power supply would be adequate for the whiteAnt 3D printer?

  • HAVE 3D PRINTER THAT WANT TO MAKE CNC ROUTER ,IS THERE ANY GUIDES SHOW ME THE WAY

    What 3d printer do you have?

    Additional Information:
    whiteant

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    HAVE 3D PRINTER THAT WANT TO MAKE CNC ROUTER ,IS THERE ANY GUIDES SHOW ME THE WAY

  • Is there a diagram or schematic showing which pin on the 3D printer driver is ABCD?

    You can find a diagram that describes the pin-out for the 2.5 am Driver that is intended for the 3D Printer Main Board, but can be used as a standalone driver as well.

    Additional Information:
    Where is the diagram located?

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Is there a diagram or schematic showing which pin on the 3D printer driver is ABCD?

  • WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRINTER CABLE PORT AND USB MOTOR KITS

    The parallel (printer cable) port is uses the computer as its main source of pulse trains to operate the motor driver directly. Parallel ports are a direct connection from the processor commonly referred to as GPIO pins (General Purpose I/O pins) and provides a convenient and powerful way to interface with the computer. The parallel breakout board is included in those kits only to condition those signals for use with the drivers.

    The USB serves at the actual controller, sending the pulse trains, but the computer sends simple human readable instructions to the USB controller to tell the controller how to send pulses.

    The non-technical differences that may serve as the most important information to you is that the parallel configurations allow for a wider variety of industry standard software that can be used to control the cnc machine. The USB that we offer requires the operator to use a software called Planet-CNC software which is a very well made and feature full cnc control software.

    Additional Information:


    Additional Information:


    Additional Information:
    USB Motion controller breakout board work with planet cnc software?

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRINTER CABLE PORT AND USB MOTOR KITS

  • Can you convert a 3D print file to a file that can be ran on my cnc rounter and how would it have to be converted ?

    Converting a 3D file to be used with a CNC machine will depend on the capability of the software you are using for developing machine operations (CAM software). For instance, if you use CAMBAM and the operation will consider a typical 3 axis CNC machine without a 4th axis, you would simply load the 3D file (.3ds or .stl) and apply a 3D profile machining operation on the 3D object. No conversion is necessary.

    Check the capabilities of the CAM software you are using. You may just be able to load up the 3D file and start using it.

    If you don't have your 3D file in the specified format (i.e. .3ds or .stl) then you will need to find a converter to convert the file into the file format that is compatible with your CAM software which should be relatively easy to find on the internet for free.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Can you convert a 3D print file to a file that can be ran on my cnc rounter and how would it have to be converted ?

  • CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME HELP OR POINT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO INCORPORATE MK 7 EXTRUDER WITH BOOK PLANS FOR 3D PRINTER?

    Mounting the extruder to the whiteAnt can be done a couple of ways. One is to take the 4 mounting holes located at the lower portion of the z-axis rail support and use long screws protruding out. Take a thinner material and drill the four holes matching the locations of the 4 screws and screw on nuts to hold it in place. The other option would be to use the metal bracket and fasten to the edge of the rail support.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME HELP OR POINT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO INCORPORATE MK 7 EXTRUDER WITH BOOK PLANS FOR 3D PRINTER?

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