{"id":64958,"key":"Obvious_3D_printer_technology_based_on_08._Counterweight","title":"Obvious 3D printer technology based on 08. Counterweight","latest":{"id":1210819,"timestamp":"2025-11-28T12:31:49Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{777 notice}}{{TRIZ-3D}}\n\n[[User:Kev Man|Kev Man]] ([[User talk:Kev Man|talk]]) 07:33, 1 December 2015 (PST)\n\n[[User:Tmjohnst|Tmjohnst]] ([[User talk:Tmjohnst|talk]]) 07:37, 1 December 2015 (PST)\n\n[[User:Ztverran|Ztverran]] ([[User talk:Ztverran|talk]]) 07:51, 1 December 2016 (PST)\n\n[[User: Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) [[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n\n== Ideas to improve 3d printer (Counterweight) ==\n\n# '''Use Mesh design for end effector to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity'''\n# '''Enhance material availability: Make structures out of particle board to reduce weight and use any available wood'''\n# Reduce Parts: End effector has helicopter style top to suspend instead of metal bars\n# Reduce cost-printer: Mesh design for all 3d printed parts and structures to use less material\n# Reduce cost-material: Inject with gas to expand volume(more surface area for less plastic)\n# Easier to assemble : attach helium balloons to top so cannot drop and easier to maneuver to fix/build\n# '''Use carbon fiber frame to decrease weight.'''\n# Use lighter motors to decrease weight.\n# Add flat steel plate to base to decrease vibration somewhat.\n# Modify end effector to only mount the hot end (alternative material to take care of heat)\n# Add vibration reducers (similar to hunting bows) to lower rod vibration and thus the rod can be made of a lighter material.\n# Use smaller motors to decrease weight.\n# Use less robust board to decrease weight slightly.\n# Use a combination stepper driver and computer to decrease overall weight (combine melzi and BBBlack)\n# '''Use microphones to detect mechanical click to reduce wiring to leveling switches.'''\n# Combine heated bed with the frame to reduce weight.\n# Add heating to the whole frame to omit heated bed somehow (circuitry needs to be modified).\n# Combine frame with vertical beams to reduce weight - or omit vertical columns entirely like on some cartesian printers.\n# Extrude with a through-the-center stepper to decrease parts used in extrusion.\n# Omit top doughnut entirely - vibration introduced but weight decreased.\n# Use carbon fiber rods instead of aluminum to decrease weight.\n# Combine extruder and hot end into a plastic pushing monster to decrease metal and mechanical parts - momentum is increased and accuracy falls.\n# '''Use more snap-together parts to decrease bolts and nuts - less metal, less weight (slightly).'''\n# Print with a smaller extruder motor to decrease weight.\n# Use shorter linear bearings to slightly decrease weight.\n# Less infill for parts that don't need it\n# '''Different infill: lighter, stronger infill material'''\n# '''Use different material for structure of printer: some sort of light, hollow, plastic tubing'''\n# Change guide rods to carbon fiber\n# Printed parts of printer with less infill\n# '''Make everything out of carbon fiber'''\n# Drill holes in support material\n# Print with lighter material\n# Plastic hardware\n# Build a smaller printer\n# Print a smaller part, sections if needed\n# Use less bed adhesion (glue) or use blue painters tape\n# Make part hollow and put hydrogen or helium into part\n# Make inside of part a vacuum\n# Move printer to moon\n# Attach helium balloons to top of printer\n\n----\n\n# Make printer components optimized so that minimum material is used[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''use a smaller extruder head'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# make the printer frame out of carbon fiber instead of wood or metal[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# print as many components for your printer as you can using less infill[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use a lighter weight material extruder head[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use smaller spools of plastic to lighten the weight of the entire assembly[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use plastic for your print bead rather than glass[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''replace metal hardware with plastic'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''use epoxy for joints rather than fastener'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''use aluminum axis guide rods instead of steel'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# cut drive belts in half widthwise to use less belt and to lighten the printer[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''use an external spool holder and feeder assembly to lighten the printer itself'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# take it to mars[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use smaller stepper motors[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use plastic linear and ball bearings[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# don't use grease[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''Drill holes in structural components to remove mass'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# make print bed smaller[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# make printer shorter in Z axis[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use smaller diameter wires for electronics[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# optimize electrical boards so that they may be smaller and more efficient[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''use plastic tie rods rather than alum'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# '''use printed plastic snap together joints instead of magnetic'''[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# take the printer further away from earth's surface[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:11, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# use a smaller diameter filament[[User:Devon Smith|Devon Smith]] ([[User talk:Devon Smith|talk]]) 07:12, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n\n----\n\n# '''Smaller printer head design''' [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Lighter material used for print head [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Active weight moving beneath printer to counter print head movement [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Thinner rods [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Hollow vertical rods [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Carbon fiber everywhere [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Smaller stepper motors [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Much smaller donut [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Design parts that require less assembly hardware [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Direct air from fan that isn't on the print head itself [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Lighter heating element [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Lighter gauge wire [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# More efficient design of boards underneath (ex. smaller boards for non heated bed) [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Plastic rods [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Extrude from top so there's less need for material tube [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Lighter materials used for print [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Smaller printer [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Weight reduction holes in print bed support [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Weight reduction holes in vertical supports [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Weight reduction holes in donut [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# Support printer from cables and pulleys and hang weights on other end [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n# PRINTING IN SPACE [[User:Patrick Gilland|Patrick Gilland]] ([[User talk:Patrick Gilland|talk]]) 07:26, 4 December 2018 (PST)\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| description = Reducing printer weight saves energy and materials. Appropedia explores lightweight design strategies for better 3D printing.\n}}\n\n[[Category:4777 TRIZ 3D printers]]"}