[Dean448]

I keep seeing posts asking about how to convert a cnc machine to a 3D printer but I havn't noticed any posts showing that it can be done. Has anyone gotten this to work?

I am not at all concerned about the control system or extruder. Thats pretty straight forward. The issue is about the speed and dynamics of the machine. The printing action (belt driven) is very fast in all directions (except Z) vs a CNC machine (having a lead screw) which is designed for power.

I'm sure the smaller and lighter your machine the more this conversion is possible, however the printing action on a normal cnc machine is far faster then anything ever done while cutting wood. Unless you slow the printing speed way down.

[Fastest1]

In my experience my issues have been with the extruder barrel itself becoming flimsy as it heats up. I am sure I am too blame with the more is better approach (heat control :-)). Using the slicer software the Z speed does not really come into play as all Z moves are done only after all X & Y moves at that level are finished. I was able to do some ok printing on my A2Z RepStrap. I will get back to it again most likely with a modified extruder using all metal connections for support of the tip. Fins and fans whatever to eliminate that PEEK tube. Otherwise I don't see any reason an existing mill can't be used. In fact when I have seen 3D printers in action their speeds weren't overly impressive. Theoretically the machine might be capable of high speeds but the printing speed itself is much lower.

[ger21]

I've never used a 3D printer, but all the videos I've seen are much, much slower than I cut on a router. I wouldn't expect speed to be an issue at all, unless you have a very, very slow router.

Here's someone adding 3D printing to a router.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/genera...d_castcnc.html

[Dean448]

If anyone is interested, I can post GCode that runs on Mach3 that I'm using to drive a belt driven printer. It is intended for a machine that is configured for metric and doesn't have an A slaved axis. The A axis is for extruder control.

So this code has the actual speeds used for an actual print. I'm curious to know how this runs on a lead screw type machine. Let me know.

[Fastest1]

Dean post it. What kind of velocity and accels are you using and why dont you think a lead screw machine can run it? Or are you just curious?

[BloomingtonMike]

Here's someone adding 3D printing to a router.
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/genera...d_castcnc.html

My machine (linked above) is rack and pinion on X and Y and a K2 (or whatever the new company name is now) 8" Z. Nema 23s all axis. Hard to acurately tell speeds but my machine will rapid 2000 ipm so I dont really have speed issues but I will soon see. We will see quality of print too. I am using two G540s - one for X, Y (two slaved here - Y and B as I made A the extruder), and Z, and the second will drive the extruder on A. It will also drive a 4th axis lathe too is my plan.