NOTICE: This project is put on hold due to a busy curriculum. Whenever possible, it will be continued. Thanks for your understanding!

About

This is a project aims to develop a special 3D printer made of LEGO Mindstorms(R) pieces. Inspired by the GNU RepRap 3D Printer (open-source based 3D printer) and Arthur Sacek's Milling Machine, this project combines both techniques resulting in a machine that, even though resembles the RepRap design, it drills floral foam so as to make three dimensional objects. However, LEGO, as modular components, make the machine hybrid, with the capability of placing a specialized extruder instead of the milling bit.

The software is written in Java (implementing LeJOS NXJ API)

Source Code

Current repository (@Google Code) is inactive. Please get a local copy by cloning the new repository on your machine.

git clone git://github.com/MaR1oC/lego-mindstorms-3d-printing-milling-machine.git

Using the Makefile

Type

make help to get a list of useful automated features CAUTION : Still in early development stage

Purposes

This project aims to motivate people in the fields of art, computers & design. Moreover, as it's based on the GNU philosophy; it contributes in informing users about new technologies.

Scholar

• Kostakis, V., Papachristou, M. Commons-based peer production and digital fabrication: The case of a RepRap-based, Lego-built 3D printing-milling machine. Telemat. Informat. (2013) DOI

References

• Reference to the Wiki page
• Collabotation with the P2P Foundation & Lab

Photos

• 9/2/2013
• 15/12/2012.

Community

If you wish to track project development, as well as ask questions, please register to Google Groups Page

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NWtMg6Zlj1c' target='_blank'>http://img.youtube.com/vi/NWtMg6Zlj1c/0.jpg' width='425' height=344 />

Licensing

The code is distributed under GNU GPL v3 (this includes designs and media) Be SURE to adhere to the license

The documentation is distributed under CC 3.0 BY-SA

There is NO monetary incentive and the project MUST remain open-source!

Ideas

1. Use an RPi as a control unit and rewrite the code in python. Use nxt-python for direct commanding
2. Make alternate extruders
3. Improve bed