Modified treadmill transformed into massive 3D printer, offering unlimited print bed dimensions - pushing 3D printing size limits to themaximum
Treadmill 3D Printing Revolution: An Unprecedented Approach
Printing large-scale items has always posed a challenge for makers. But Ivan Miranda and John from Proper Printing took things to the next level by transforming a treadmill into an extraordinary 3D printer, capable of printing gigantic objects. Here's the inside scoop on their ingenious creation.
For some time, Miranda had desired to turn a treadmill into a 3D printer. He found a kindred spirit in John, and together they embarked on a thrilling mission to bring their wacky idea to life. The end result: a never-before-seen, colossal 3D printer.
This printer, a belt printer with some ingenious quirks, is unlike anything we've ever seen. The extruder is positioned at an angle because it's installed on the treadmill handles. The treadmill belt acts as the print bed, moving prints away from the extruder as they progress. This setup makes it possible to print mammoth items with a theoretically infinite bed size.
The prints detach effortlessly from the belt as they pull away from the extruder, thanks to a clever design feature that allows them to curl under the machine when they reach the edge. The team is planning to test the printer's limits, but they're already floored by its capabilities. From the hardware assembly to the slicing methodology, everything had to be custom-built for the project.
Miranda shared a video showcasing the printer in action, displaying its phenomenal abilities. Most impressive was the printing of a 2-meter-long I-beam, a feat that took about 36 hours to complete. The team aims to push the envelope even further by using the setup to print a full-sized kayak.
While creating your own 3D printer is undeniably cool, there's nothing wrong with opting for a pre-made one to get started. If you're new to 3D printing or want to explore the current market leaders, check out our top picks for 3D printers.
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Details: Miranda and John's creation is a testament to out-of-the-box thinking and the repurposing of existing technology for large-scale 3D printing[1]. The treadmill was modified to serve as the continuous printing surface, eliminating the need for a traditional large print bed. The nozzle was placed at an angle, resulting in prints printed at a slight 45-degree angle. The curved end of the treadmill allowed finished prints to pop off easily. The printer's continuous print process enabled the creation of long prints without interruption. The team demonstrated the printer's capabilities by printing an I-beam taller than Miranda himself in a single continuous print. The ultimate goal was to print a full-sized kayak using this innovative method. The setup is space-efficient, as it leverages the continuous motion of the treadmill to print long objects without requiring a large static bed. However, the angled nozzle and resulting tilted prints presented unique challenges but offered a creative solution for handling long prints.
[1] Reference: Grafton-Cardwell, Rowan. "Giant 3D printer built using a treadmill can print a 2 meter I-beam." Phys.org, June 29, 2021, www.phys.org/news/2021-06-giant-3d-treadmill-print-meter-i.html.
This innovative creation by Miranda and John, the treadmill-based 3D printer, showcases the repurposing of existing technology for large-scale 3D printing. The printer employs a modified treadmill as the continuous printing surface, eliminating the need for a traditional large print bed. This technology, alongside other unique features like the angled nozzle and curved end of the treadmill, falls under the realm of intriguing gadgets, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with current technology.
