This project started with requests. I have clients that want to do a 3D print, then be able to machine the print while it is still on the same machine. Using electronics and software control that is already in place.
The extruder is a Spider from Rockcliff. The simple effective way the extruder uses a dimmer switch to control the heating element is useful, smart and very helpful as it is all stand alone.
Set out with a small mill frame. Stuffed some big ball screws into it. Most 3d printers do not throw around much mass so they use wire or rubber belts with nema 17 steppers. I went with nema 23`s and ball screws to get the speed and accuracy and mimic existing machines.
The extruder is setup on the 4th axis stepper drive and is tuned to give me 1 inch of filament is moved when 1 inch movement is requested.
KisSlicer handles the slicing and Gcode which mach3 really has no problems running.
Its now a simple matter of heating the extruder, slicing a file and running the code. I made no other mods to mach3 other then the motor tuning for A.
The extruder is plugged into the coolant relay to toggle power off when the print is done.
So now, if the machine was bigger, the extruder could hang off to the side of the spindle. Print the part, then come back with the spindle and "LIGHTLY" machine the part.
This setup is for printing with PLA only right now as ABS requires a heated platform to build on. This is in the works.