Our Anet A8 Prusa i3 Parts
The main board is an Anet A8. Basic settings for a Prusa i3 can be used to get started.
Basic frame assembled
The frame is a machine cut pastic shipped with a protective paper coating. We chose to remove the paper.
Our four directional motors
The motors that move the extruder and build plate.
Y motor mounted
This motor moves the build plate in and out.
Y motor mounted
This motor moves the build plate in and out.
Built plate guide frame
This is the frame that supports the build plate and allows it to move in and out.
Build plate guides and bearings installed
These are the rods and bearings that the build plate will glide across.
Lower frame from rear
Lower frame with guides installed from a vantage behind the printer.
It's taking shape
This represents the primary L shaped frame structure of our printer.
Build plate frame mounted
This frame will connect the build plate to the guide rods.
Y drive belt connected
A belt connects the Y motor to the build plate frame.
Heated build plate mounted
The heated build plate is mounted on the frame via 4 spring cusioned screws.
Hot plate
The under side of the hot plate.
View with build plate installed
Progress thus far with the heated build plate installed.
Left Z motor and support installed
This is one of two motors that lift the horizontal motor and extruder mount.
Both Z motors installed
Both of the Z motors installed along with their support structures.
X motor installed
The X motor installed along with its belt receiver, guide and drive rods.
X motor belt receiver installed
The X motor belt receiver installed along with its guide and drive rods.
X motor installed
The X motor installed along with its guide, belt receiver, and drive rods.
Extruder carriage guides and bearing
The extruder carriage bearings are mounted to the guide rods.
The extruder
The extruder and its feed motor. The tip has a heating element along with a thermister.
Extruder nozzle
Note the very fine extruder nozzle hole.
Extruder cooling fan installed
The extruder cooling fan keeps the heat from radiating up to the motor or incoming filament.
Extruder carriage installed
This carriage carries the extruder up and down and left and right over the build plate.
Extruder mounted in the carriage
The extruder is screwed into place in the carriage.
Rear view of carriage
The newly hung carriage viewed from the rear of the printer.
Blower fan installed
The blower fan is used to cool your prints or the extruder.
Blower fan installed
The blower fan is used to cool your prints or the extruder.
Carriage belt installed
The carriage belt pulls the extruder left and right.
Carriage belt installed
The carriage belt passes through the receiver on the right side.
Main board Anet A8
The main board is an Anet A8.
Main board Anet A8
The main board is an Anet A8.
Display installed
The LCD display is sandwich between plastic frame and shield, held at bay by spacers.
Display installed
The LCD display is controled via 5 buttons to the right.
Display installed
The LCD display is controled via 5 buttons to the right.
12v Power supply
The 12v power supply to be mounted on the right side.
Installing the main board
Wiring is straight forward, the board is clearly marked.
Connecting the power
Connecting the wall electricity and the main board power line to the power supply.
Power supply mounted
The power supply is screwed onto the frame.
Wired
Wires are passed through and under the frame to connect to the main board.
Cables wrapped
The cables are protected in wireloom.
Main board
Main board finished.
Power supply finished
Power supply finished.
Carriage finished
The carriage finished.
Filament holder
An easy to assemble filament holder for feeding the printer.
Ready to print
Pick a space for the printer.
Ready to print
Small sample supply of filament loaded.
Nerd art
Tony Stark approved.
Main board
Electronics nerd.
Power test
Looks like everything is wired correctly.
First print
Printing...
Printing Mod 1
Modification 1, a new blower nozzle.
Printing Mod 1
Modification 1, a new blower nozzle.
Mod 1 installed
Modification 1, a new semi-circular blower nozzle installed.
Mod 1 installed
Modification 1, a new semi-circular blower nozzle installed.
Printing Mod 2
Modification 2, a filament guide.
Mod 2 installed
Modification 2, a filament guide installed.
Mod 3 installed
Modification 2, LED build lights for those long nights of stacking plastic.
Mod 3 installed
Modification 2, LED build lights for those long nights of stacking plastic.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 finished printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 finished printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 finished printing
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 finished rear
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 cleaning up
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Mod 4 cleaning up
Modification 4, a case for the main board and a Raspberry Pi.
Failed mod 4 prints
Fail early, learn soon.
Printing mod 5
Modification 5, a tool holder.
Printing mod 5
Modification 5, a tool holder.
Finished mod 5
Modification 5, a tool holder.
Mod 5 installed
Modification 5, a tool holder.