Alumimaker 2 takes First Place for BOM Contest!

2 min read

Earlier this year, MISUMI USA hosted a contest on Reddit for 3D Printer BOMs that used MISUMI components. We’d like to congratulate our first place winner, Andrew Chase-Ziolek, on his design of an Ultimaker 2 derivative called the Alumimaker 2.

3d contest winner body.GIF

In Andrew’s words: “It includes several design improvements, but most importantly it’s made with 2020 extrusion, so it’s easy to modify and expand the build volume (easiest in Z, but also easy in X and Y.) I decided to design this because the Ultimaker 2 has received great[1] reviews[2]  , I wanted to experiment with their motion system, and I wanted a system that I could easily upgrade to dual extrusion. This printer uses a number of stock Ultimaker 2 parts to leverage a known-good design.”


Check out his photos here:
https://flic.kr/ps/2Zb9za[3]

Link to In-Progress Build Log: https://sites.google.com/site/alumimaker2/build[4]

STLs and more photos: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:666549[5]

BOM: Alumimaker2 BOM

Specs

  • External Dimensions: 340 x 350 x 470
  • Bowden extruder (Stock Ultimaker 2 or a different one)
  • Build Volume: 225 x 230 x 320 for this build, but easily expandable
  • This build is single-extrusion, but there’s a mount on the print head for another hot end; dual extrusion is trivial to set up.
  • Print speed: 30-300mm/s
  • Heated bed
  • Smoothieware-compatible electronics.

Design improvements

  • Easily modifiable/upgradable chasis
  • More rigid frame
  • Direct drive motors eliminate compounded backlash in X & Y
  • Grub screws on radial bearings eliminate linear shaft displacement
  • Improved electronics (Smoothieboard derivative w/ DRV8825)
  • Increased Z build height
  • Less expensive

 

Important Notes

  1. Make sure to use a 0.9 degree stepper with plenty of torque if you go with the stock Ultimaker 2 extruder.
  2. It is possible to source stock Ultimaker 2 electronics. One advantage of them is that they’re set up to use the stock temperature-dependent resistors (RTD), while the Smoothieboard isn’t. I just replaced the RTD with a thermistor. The disadvantage of using the stock Ultimaker 2 electronics is that they’re still using an 8-bit Amtel processor which generally works but is probably a bit underpowered.
  3. I used a Smoothieboard mini, but if you want to do dual extrusion, it’s probably easier to use a Smoothieboard X5, which has four mosfets (2 Hot ends, Bed and Fan) rather than just 3. I’m hoping to make a fan extender with one of the spare pins for the Smoothieboard mini when I try dual extrusion, but it’s not a sure thing.

 

 

About the Author

Carlicia Layosa

Carlicia is the Marketing Automation Manager at MISUMI. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate, Marketo Certified Expert, and is passionate about education and training.

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