GrabCAD Layered Labs
OK, first up the most important details — what can you win?? $2,500 + A free 3D printer if your design is produced + GrabCAD shirt and mug
OK, with that out of the way, what do I need to do to enter??
You need to design a 3D printer! Easy peasy. Simply follow the guidelines below, or alternatively go to the Challenge page HERE for all the details:
- The STEP file shows a prototype version of the machine with mounted panels that are bolted onto aluminum extrusions. The ENTIRE design needs to be CHANGED from a bolt-together chassis to an elegant stamped and folded SHEET METAL design with good structural characteristics and manufacturability kept in mind.
PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL TO info@grabcad.com for getting the STEP file.
- The holes for the linear rods, the stepper motors, and channel cutouts inside of the inner shell must be maintained, and a spacing of 25mm from the internal shell of the machine, to where the outer panels mount, is needed for routing wires inside the machine. The linear rods and motors are load bearing, so the mounting points need to be able to withstand up to 100lbs force without issue.
- The electronics will be housed at the bottom of the machine, and power will be brought in from the rear - a shelf 125mm tall and comprising half the length of the machine is needed for mounting everything.
- There need to be four chambers for filament spools, that are accessible from the outside of the machine, that are environmentally sealed. The filament will feed through a tube to an extruder motor of which a STEP file of a mockup is included, which needs to be mounted inside of the machine close to the filament chambers. The filament spools need to be able to rotate easily inside the chambers - resting atop ball bearings is recommended.
- The machine needs to have a large door with a viewing window to be able to see the model while it's being built. It needs to be weather sealed so the interior environment is fully isolated from the exterior during printing. An exhaust fan 80mm to 120mm needs to be included on either the top of side of the machine with room for a 6mm thick air filter to slide in tightly.
- The front of the machine will also have an LCD, and on/off switch. The rear will have a standard computer power inlet. The design should focus on stamped sheet metal, with consideration given to cost when choosing metals (IE: Brushed stainless steel is nice, but fairly expensive in comparison to aluminum or powder coated steel). Covers for the filament chambers can be made from injection molded plastic, if desired.
- The machine is equipped with a 4.3” Diagonal LCD. The LCD module is 67.3 x 105.34 x 4.15 mm^3, with a 53.86 x 95.4mm^2 viewing area, and should have 20mm of clearance behind it for mounting electronics.
- There is a standard ATX Power Inlet at rear of the machine.
- Spools are 200mm OD, 51mm ID, and 73mm thick, and weigh about 2.5 lbs. Take this into account when designing your mounting point so you don't warp or bend the metal.
- Native CAD files required at the end of the contest.
- Marketing grade renders are the end of the project are appreciated.
If your design is chosen as the grand prize winner, we will likely require some minor changes to be made to accommodate actual parts prior to sending the design off for prototyping.
