I have been trying to get a frame cut so I can build another BigBox. Wood is cheaper than acrylic but apparently suitable plywood does not come in 5 mm? Just found it is but possibly only in industrial quantities. Sizes I have been quoted are " multiples of 3mm (1.5, 3, 6, 9 and 12 are the common standards" As the nut-traps won't fit 6mm as per a previous post just wondered if anyone has found 5mm easily available?
I've certainly never found any stocked locally - multiples of 3mm are the most common as you say. It may be worth looking for 3/16 inch as well as 5mm depending on the source/supplier. I have seen a lot of 5.5mm listed in various places, but again that was all online searches. It's not really a common size for most general stockists. Out of curiosity I did a bit of searching and found ebay and Amazon the easiest places, with one other supplier (Hobarts) saying they were having trouble sourcing it., but still had some... http://www.slecuk.com/balsa-wood/5.0mm--3-16---Birch-Plywood.html https://hobarts.com/sheet-materials...ystandard-russian-birch-plywood-bb-p-816.html I didn't find any at the usual timber suppliers, but most who do stock it seemed to be aimed at supplying the laser cutter market specifically. Seems to me (slightly) more common as 'Laser Ply' - the glue used is better for laser cutting apparently. A bit of searching did turn up several places that would sell single sheets of varying sizes, the two above are examples - again, ebay is worth a look. All depends where you are and if the transport costs would be prohibitive. One other possibility might be if there is a laser cutting business near you that might have stock and be willing to sell it - or indeed if getting the frame professionally cut, let them source the material - they would undoubtedly have a better idea where to get it than most of us I think. Sorry I cant be of more help, but I didn't get any further than this when looking into it for myself last year either, before I shelved the idea until I found more time. You could always modify the nut traps, and widen the slots
After posting I found this company in the UK too http://www.dhhtimber.co.uk/birch_plywoods.htm Hobarts as above have a note in red just down the page of the difficulty in obtaining 5mm laser cut. Anyone else out there interested in making another BigBox?
Good link - thinks. I'm certainly interested, but would like it slightly wider to make it easier to use the full width of the bed for an IDX build. That's more of a 'nice to have' than an essential though I'm still only half way though my IDX rebuild, which keeps getting delayed, so not sure when I'll have time for a new build.
I went for Björn's version https://forum.e3d-online.com/index.php?threads/chases-dual-direct-titan-idex-conversion.2555/ So going from a base Dual, it needs all new top end parts printed, a couple of small magnets, some more belts, and a couple of Nema 14 motors. I think that's all
No the frame is fine. It would be a little easier if the frame was slightly wider, but Björn's design fits in the existing frame. If I was designing a new frame I'd probably make it maybe 50mm wider, but that's really not necessary.
If you are building from scratch you could consider rotating the heated bed 90° to give more room, rather than redesigning the frame.
Hadn't really thought about that - I seem to remember it being discussed here somewhere. I'll have a look and give it some thinking Thanks.
What do you need more room for? It's got too much already I'm planning a new bed of 325mm x >225mm. To maximise the print size in all directions. But I'm going for a Chimera design enabling me to use it as well.
