The RepRapMicron Project, or μRepRap, is an extension of the Open Source RepRap 3D printer project that aims to bring micron-scale fabrication into very widespread adoption. The main project page is here and currently the assembly instructions are on the Github wiki. It uses hardware and software familiar to 3D printer developers (GCODE, GRBL, NEMA17 steppers etc.), and materials that are easily and inexpensively available.
As of V0.05 pixels can be placed or engraved on a 10μm grid in 2D without difficulty. Repeatable positioning is better than 5μm, and a resin deposition system for <10μm droplets is functional if not complete. Current resin material is "Top Coat" Nail Art UV Gel.
The meaty part is in the "maus" directory, where the OpenSCAD models for a rapidly reconfigurable 3D printed prototype can be found. Design is trending towards specialised parts, but all are intended to fit a 10mm grid and attach with M3 fasteners.
The project has achieved the third Alpha release. This repository holds files that can reasonably be expected to be functional and useful to potential developers/experimenters.
If you're looking for pre-built STL files, they're here.
- Develop a micron-accurate, 3D printable mechanism. - UNLOCKED
- Develop a print head for it. - UNLOCKED
- Make more of them - UNLOCKED
- Develop practical 3D deposition for resin and other materials.
- Reduce further to nanoscale
- Take over the world
A Selection of useful OpenSCAD libraries used in generating "Metriccano" modular components (10mm grid, metric fasteners), screw holes, motor mounts etc.
Micron Accurate Universal System - OpenSCAD model files for micron precision axis components based on flexures.
The maus directory contains standard axis drivers, XY complementary flexure Table, Z Tower, and probe parts that need screwing down to a solid surface. It can be assembled on a Metriccano baseboard supplied for lasercutting as metriccano_baseboad.svg, or a 12 x 14 hole piece of 10mm pitch perf board.
As of V0.05 a pantograph-like driver with parallelogram flexures - maus_parallelogram_axis_driver.scad - is used as the Axis Driver. This is linear in action rather than the earlier small-arc pivoting Axis Drivers, has a greater range of motion (~8mm TBD), and due to the linear motion of the drive nut has lower friction allowing higher acceleration and motion speed.
Assembly documentation for a functional release is on the Github Wiki, with configuration and usage instructions next up. Bill Of Materials available for V0.03 .
Python code to take GCODE from a 3D printer slicing program such as PrusaSlicer, and break it into GCODE for a series of points that can be invidivually deposited with the probe. There is provision for a routine to "re-ink" the probe tip after a predetermined number of points are deposited.
Python code that reads a PNG bitmap and emits GCODE that will probe a corresponding point on the GCODE-controlled hardware. Pitch, brightness level and so forth can be provided on the command line. Intended for using RepRapMicron in dip-pen mode with bitmap files, but probably has other uses.
A python/Zelle Control Panel that drives a GRBL CNC using xyz steppers and uses them to control an OpenFlexure microscope delta stage.
Please do join in. We need everything. Coders, makers, nanoscience experts, materials scientists, 3D printing experts, manual writers, graphics artists, dancers, the works. Well, maybe not the dancers.
The main repository of knowledge is the wiki on the main project page. General updates go on the blog. There is some coverage on the Facebook RepRap page, and commentary is welcomed.
GPL V3 or later
Third Alpha release candidate, most functional device. Currently the head but short on documentation and long on improvements in progress.
The prefereble build if documentation is required. V0.04 documentation is currently a list of fixups for V0.03 docs.
First ever Alpha release. Tested build with a few known flaws and full build documentation on wiki.
