printrbot simple metal x / y axis upgrade to 10 x 10 inches, under $75 by N4Spd

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

parts needed to upgrade your printrbot simple metal 1403 to 10x10 print area for under $75:

start by printing the shorter x rails on a 6x6 printrbot simple metal (orient diagonally and it'll fit).


next print the 4 inch y axis extension.


order 8mm rods from mcmaster (O1 tool steel rods, ~$12). order gt2 belts for reprap on ebay (~$5).
x-axis rods is ~14.25" long, y-axis rods is ~14.75" long


use the shorter x rails to mount the larger build plate.
aluminum plate, ~15.75" width x 10.75" height, thickness up to you, 3/16"-1/4"
you can actually mount the plate now and test print with the extended x-axis print area (can't use full y yet because you haven't changed y axis rods yet)!!!


use 4 inch y axis extension to extend y axis to 10 inches
use manual control movements to verify final x/y printable area in mm and enter into cura or repetier printer settings
now you can print full ~10 x ~10!!!


Optional, print the longer x axis rails so you get 1 extra screw hole to mount the build plate (I didn't need it, still using shorted rails cause it works!).

Now that the build plate is finalized, add a heated pcb underneath. I used a cheap ebay heater pcb with red high temp silicone gasket maker to hold it on (used this method for years and never failed).
notes:
For build plate, I used 2 plates. One thicker 3/16 plate to mount the heater and to level with rails (using wave washer from mcmaster). One thinner plate that I clip on top so printed parts can be removed off the printer). Just go to a surplus metal shop because slight scratches don't matter (bottom plate is covered up and top plate is covered with blue tape), ~$30.
good luck.