Welcome to the 3D Printhead (aka. homemaker) Wiki.
If you have not figured out what is going on here, we are trying to document all the information needed to turn a CNC Milling machine into a CNC Milling / 3D Print machine. As we do this, we have other neat information such as a huge list of free software for 3D Projects.
The theory is that research is performed and then documented in this wiki, which started off being organized like this:
(check out the topics with green check marks)
Who are we?
We are hobbyists who realize that a combination milling machine + 3D printer has far more versatility than a milling machine or 3D Printer alone. We also realize the cost savings in simply combining the two concepts! If you already own and use a milling machine, this should be an easy upgrade. (Famous last words.)
Think of the possibilities. You can use the mill to cut off the supports on the plastic, or perhaps you can cleverly mill aluminum base and a plastic cover for a circuit board (which btw we should be able to also etch or otherwise print with the proper extruder...)
Instead of focusing on the X / Y / Z axis, lets focus on printheads and software. The X, Y, and Z movements of a CNC milling machine are already an exact science, so I am not sure why fab@home and others don't start with that and simply add a printhead. (I love fab@home, btw)
We have literally dozens of ideas. Join in, see if you can beat me to the development of my 3D Milling machine / Printer, and post what you know on this wiki and in the forums! I can only work a few hours at night and on weekends...
Subtopics of this site.
3D Free Software - What software do we have to work with that is not going to cost us an arm and a leg??? How does it join together into a final product, and what is missing?
3D Printheads - Research on 3D Printer heads - how many different designs can we come up with to do everything from print circuit boards and plastic covers to printing chocolate cakes?
CNC Milling Machines - I have a Sherline CNC mill which I feel is ideal to this, however, whatever we come up with should be applicable to anyone's milling machine.
3D Printers - What 3D printers are available and what do they do / how do they do it?
3D Scanners - A little bit of information on 3D scanning. When I actually get the process from scan to print worked out, I hope to put that process here for others.
3D News - What fun news stories about 3D printer can we find? Someone in California is using a 3D printer to build homes?
3D WebSites - This is a links page.
Lessons Learned - I am learning too many lessons not to document them somewhere. This seems a good place.
Wiki Template - Suggested template for wiki pages on this site.