Log #2 — The “BeeHive”

Finally got the base frame and skirt fully CADded out!

I took some inspiration from the VORON2.4, mainly the layout since it’s a popular open-source 3D printer. The theme for the frame was to make it vibrant and feel like a real 3D printer and not a gimmick. I add a warm, honey color to contrast the matte black on the anodized aluminum.

Moreover, I decided on what stepper motors I’m using and placed them to their respective postives for the gantry, z-axis motion and the trunnion.

To add to the upcoming field of 5-axis 3D printers, my innovative idea is to, if possible, make the 3D printer double as a CNC mill later with toolhead swapping. I roughly think this would work as a CNC also utilizes 5-axis and could potentially work if I create a way to switch the toolhead so that it would be able to work as a spindle.

New things added/done/researched:

• Created the main frame from anodized aluminum extrusions (2020 v-slot profile — 4x 400mm, 4x 500m, 6x 440mm).
• Created the base/skirt for the 3D printer which will hold all the electronics and the stepper motors for the z-assembly. Will add holes for ventilation and air circulation later on.
• CoreXY Math: Researched and learned about how the CoreXY gantry works and the difference between CoreXY and other 3D printer mechanisms such as, Cartesian and Delta motion.
• The 5-Axis Plan: Started researching into the mechanism behind a rotating platform (turntable, or belt drive using timing pulleys) and created the initial bed size I want for the printer.
• Toolhead Swapping: Researched into designing a potential quick-swap mount so I can literally pull off the 3D printer hotend and snap in a mini CNC spindle or a laser down the road.

Next Steps:
Figuring out the exact linear rail placements and figuring out the BOM parts list so I can start ordering stuff.