aNet A8 Printer Update 14/1/17

Quick update on how I’m getting on.  Not really printed anything out of the A8 yet, to be honest, having read about overheating issues don’t want to leave unattended.  

I have added another upgrade I printed on my Hadron OrdBot.  aNet A8 acrylic frame brace 

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1430727

I’ve also been reading up on the options of replacing acrylic frame with a aluminium one, as the acrylic does flex a lot.

Just a final note, when I built the printer I followed the aNet YouTube guide, which  was really helpful. I found it best without sound!

https://youtu.be/5noM4AlJmfg

Still undecided whether to replace electronics, or just put the whole unit in a fire resistant box.  I post another update soon.

Day3: aNet A8 3D printer assembly Part3.

I completed the final assembly and wiring last night, probably another 2 hours total build time.  Turned it on and had immediate issues with one of the z steppers not moving properly.  A bit of googling and all I needed to do was turn up the current, via a tiny pot on the controller board.

I also printed a chain to take the cabling for the hot bed.  Not the best print from my other printer, but it works well.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1888260

Next upgrade has to be the z stop adjustment as it’s useless.  Basically you have to unscrew and move the switch to set the build plate height. Ie no fine adjustment.  Just printing this replacement on my other printer.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1930601

This is it printing on my OrdBot, which is about 3 times the speed of the aNet A8 at the moment anyhow.

https://youtu.be/UcvqiOcLtII

Day2 : aNet A8 3D Printer assembly Part2

Today I found the DIY kit nemesis, a missing part!.  Well I could contact my supplier and get the part shipped from China, or I could find one on thingiverse and print a upgraded one.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1666094
And here’s it installed.

Probably spent about 2 hours today, and I’ve just got the cabling to tidy and connect.

Already printed a y axis tension upgrade which I’ll fit tomorrow.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1687541

Day 1: aNet A8 3DPrinter assembly Part1

I find it a little amusing how we’ve gone from flat pack IKEA furniture to platpack laser cut acrilic 3d printers. Well it’s was amusing looking into the box, which incidentally didn’t contain any instructions.  I suppose it’s assumed that you can download the latest set from the web, which is obviously the thing I did.

There’s a few devations which must come down to production tweeks here and there, but not found anything major yet.  About 6 propper hours so far. Anyway one quick update photo then I’m calling it a night.

Latest 3d printing News

  1. I’ve spent the last 10 months, yes I know I didn’t write anything about it, trying to get a Hadron Ordbot printer to work reliably.  Hopefully I’ll get around to writing a little more about the experience.

But just before Christmas I spotted a flash deal for a £125 prusa i3 type printer called a Anet A8. So thought I’d see if the experience is any better second time around.

Well box is here from China.