Low-cost 3D printer broadens scope of users

The new printer brings several advantages compared to its predecessor, including a much simpler and more integrated assembly with improved instructions and wiring looms for simple plugin connection and no soldering necessary.

Other improvements come in the areas of the build bed, the y-carriage design, bed probe, extruder and power supply, as well as better emissions control and software support.

For example, the printer design offers much easier adjustment of the bed level; improved y-axis belt location and retention delivers easier adjustment of belt tension; and a new bed probe now features a four-wire differential device, as well as providing much easier access to the extruder for cleaning purposes. In addition, the power supply is now a 100-240V worldwide input power supply and is a dedicated 12V supply, rather than being an adapted supply, and is more compact with its integration into the machine with no trailing wires.  

EMI emissions have also been reduced, resulting from a fully shielded design that meets the Class A CE mark.

Specifications of the Ormerod 2 printer include: build volume and speed of 200 x 200 x 200mm and 1800mm/min, respectively; a deposition rate of 33cm3 per hour; accuracy and layer resolution of 0.1mm and 0.01mm, respectively; and ability to print using either PLA or ABS thermoplastic materials. The open-source software designed to run the machine is fully compatible with the original Ormerod printer and will run on a relatively low powered computer running Windows, Linux/Ubuntu or Mac OS.

"The availability of the second generation Ormerod 3D printing kit and latest in a line of RepRapPro 3D printers demonstrates the significant success of its open source self-replicating concept," said Mark Cundle, Head of Technical Marketing at RS Components. "Using this exciting and low-cost 3D printing technology, in conjunction with the free and intuitive DesignSpark Mechanical 3D design software and the library of 3D component models from RS, means that 3D design and rapid prototyping is becoming increasingly available to a much wider universe of designers and mechanical and electronics engineers. This can enable significant savings in product development cycles and mean much faster time-to-market."