The Ambient Extruder - A testbed 3D-printer

*** Note:  this printer has not been fully tested since I do not know the proper Arduino Uno and CNC Motor Shield firmware updates I need to operate the four (4) independent axes simultaneously.  There are three (3) axes of motion for the print head relative to the plate and one (1) axis to drive the plunger on the syringe.  All axes have been tested independently.  If anyone could point me to information on the proper firmware, that would be great!

This 3D-printer is a derivative of the DIY Food 2D-Printer located here on Printables.com:

https://www.printables.com/model/1239613-food-2d-printer-gravy-biscuit-pet-treat

This derivative adds a vertical axis of motion for printing multiple layers making it a 3D-printer instead of a 2D-printer.  This vertical axis of motion was initially tested in this listing:

https://www.printables.com/model/1284907-3d-printer-z-axis-motion-with-chamber-concept-test

It's powered by an Arduino UNO and CNC Motor Shield.

One note is that some effort was made to improve the noisy gearing, but it is still noisy. 

Hardware:

1. Arduino Uno R3 and included USB cable
2. CNC Shield with Quantity (4) stepper motor drivers with heatsinks
3. Quantity (4) Nema 17 stepper motors
4. 6-inch T8 Trapezoidal Lead Screw and Quantity (2) T8 Nuts, Pitch 2 mm Screw Lead 8 mm
5. 60 cc easy glide luer lock disposable syringe
6. Approximately 350g PLA (black and green parts in photos) (See .3mf files)
7. Approximately 175 g PETG (blue parts in photos) (See .3mf files)
8. Separate 24V, 15A power supply for the CNC Shield
9. M3 fasteners of length 8 mm, 10 mm, 16 mm and 20 mm with nuts.
10. Appropriate electronics wiring supplies.

Software:
Arduino IDE and Autodesk Fusion

Wiring Diagram:

TBD

Arduino Code:

TBD

Printing Instructions:

All printing instructions are including in the .3mf files for each part including material, supports, layers, etc.

Assembly Instructions:

1. Take all necessary safety precautions when using electronic components and power supplies.
2. 3D-Print all parts provided in the attached files using the material, supports, and printing parameters specified in the corresponding .3mf files.
3. Fasten Z-axis stepper motor bracket to Plate Sled.
4. Insert Z-axis stepper motor gear onto Z-axis stepper motor.
5. Fasten Z-axis stepper motor to Z-axis stepper motor bracket.
6. Position the Plate Sled appropriately between the Plate Mount part 1 of 2 and Plate Mount part 2 of 2 (see photos) and snap Plate Mount part 1 of 2 onto Plate Mount part 2 of 2.
7. Position the Plate with the gear rail oriented properly onto the Plate Sled.
8. Fasten Y-axis stepper motor to Plate Mount using two M3 8 mm fasteners and two M3 16 mm fasteners.
9. Insert one Plate Gear onto Y-axis stepper motor.
10. Align and fasten Overhang to Plate Mount using two M3 20 mm fasteners.
11. Fasten X-axis stepper motor bracket to Overhang.
12. Fasten X-axis stepper motor to X-axis stepper motor bracket.
13. Insert one Plate Gear onto X-axis stepper motor.
14. Fasten Plunger stepper motor to X-axis Sled.
15. Slide X-axis Sled into Overhang aligning it with the grooves in the Overhang.  Be sure to slide gear rail on X-axis Sled underneath the X-axis motor gear.
16. Insert Syringe with Plunger container material to be extruded into hole in X-axis Sled pushing it all the way down.
17. Fasten one T8 Nut to Plunger Motor Adapter.
18. Insert Plunger Motor Adapter onto Plunger stepper motor.
19. Thread T8 Trapezoidal Lead Screw into T8 Nut on Plunger Motor Adapter.
20. Fasten one T8 Nut to Plunger Adapter.
21. Thread Plunger Adapter onto T8 Trapezoidal Lead Screw with cap facing down.
22. Position cap on Plunger Adapter firmly against top of Plunger.
23. Use zip-ties to organize the motor wiring in a way that it will not interfere with the printer operation.
24. Assemble Arduino Uno R3, CNC Shield, and motor drivers.
25. Connect the steppers motors to the CNC Shield as shown in the wiring diagram.
26. Connect an appropriate power supply to the CNC Shield as shown in the wiring diagram.
27. Connect the Arduino Uno R3 to a computer using the included USB cable.
28. Compile and download the Arduino code to the Arduino Uno R3 using the Arduino IDE software interface.
29. Watch the The Ambient Extruder in action!