After watching industrial designers have all the fun, you’re looking to build the world, and from scratch. 3D printers enable you to make any shape or model into plastic, but buying a pre-made unit takes away the self-derived fun of assembly. For the core electronics you need to build your own 3D printer, order the RAMPS 1.4 Electronics Kit and you’ll be steps away from a fully functional system.
To understand what you’re getting, let’s take a step back and explain the 3D printing process. After you come up with an image or shape on your computer, use the Arduino Mega to interface with your computer through a USB cable. The Arduino sends the image to the RAMPS 1.4 electronics, where your computer’s codes are translated into physical motions. The A4988 stepper motor drivers are connected to the RAMPS board, and they send the physical commands to connected motors that build the 3D model.
While you’ll still need a frame, motors, build platform, and some other key parts, you’ll have the central circuitry necessary to get started. For further information on building your own kit, here are some useful links:
Estimated ship date is Apr 14, 2014 PT.
Payment will be collected at checkout. After this product run ends, orders will be submitted to the vendor up front, making all orders final.