Full metal platfrom replacement for A250 and A350 with direct connect to SBR16 Rails

Snapmaker 2.0
16

Lots of Great feedback and ideas. thank you!
To summarize - the idea itself has right to live. Good :slight_smile:

In regards to the Platfrom

“beware precision is never ending”
 - @Spaced

With all the feedback I gathered so far, seems like finding happy median will be the hardest. But not impossible.
And by happy median I mean - weight, flatness, minimal mnf steps (read cost of production), friendliness to not sophisticated users out there.
In general, I think this is a great start to get some interest for aftermarket manufacturers. The platform deserves the attention.

SPOILER - Summary In regards to Platform

  • Adjustable mount points to the SBR-16 Rails - YES - this is something that we have to have as many of you mentioned. The adjustment has to allow for parallel to X axis adjustment - how do you tram X axis prior to shimming the platform to parallel?
    Via:

    • Shims - the hardest and less user friendly for users not spoiled with precision machining. But I think it’s cheaper include shims, then
    • Adjustment screw - much more user friendly approach but has to be developed in a way that will keep the price down.

  • Can we attach rails to the Y-axis and bound axis together? As per @brvdboss , @Hauke , @edf.
    This should help with

    • Complexity of install - no drilling required
    • Establishing flatness of the assembly

    I’m not sure if there is a rail that can be mounted on the side and accept load from the top. Point me in a direction of one.
    Both Face and Sides of the Y rails would have to be used here as mounting points. Any ideas on how to do this?

  • Heat flex - cast aluminum should help? After all bunch of people jumping on the option for 3d printing with Vorons. They do edd a silicone pad to heat it aswell. This is something you can already purchase for snapmaker via Aliexpress, just 3d printing bed with silicone pad I mean.

  • Weight - this is something that has to be kept at bay for sure. There was a discussion with @edf on this. And many of you shared some valuable thought on this here. Would be great to get some data on the wear and tear vs added weight from people who did the rail mods.

  • Platform turning into heat sink - this is potential downside, I agree, @Hauke has a good point on stable temps here I think. Not sure how to fight this without replacing the current bed with silicone pad. This could be designed around the silicone pad being under the platform, adding magnets (like they do for other printers) would allow to mount the printing plate directly on top. And CNC/Laser beds would just go as usual.

  • Drop in design @brvdboss has an Idea of drop in design, utilizing current bed, this makes sence at first glance, but at increasing the production price and complexity I think.

SPOILER - Final Platform product has to:
  • Be available with or without rails.
  • Rails should be precut - but to what length? I’ve seen reports of 800mm being perfect.
  • The instructions should be made as simple and as user friendly as possible.

Other things people mentioned to me that would be a nice accessory to produce:

I will go ahead and submit gathered to this moment feedback to the parties involved.

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