1 step back, 2 steps forward

I got sent a new length of toothed belt the other day. The description in the build instructions confused me a bit and the length specified wasn't long enough to get the overlap that keeps the loop tight.

I wrote to the people at Reprappro though and it was easily explained, and they promptly sent me a new length of belt. I fitted it today - after I took off the heatbed and slid out the y-rods, it was quite fiddly indeed, but ultimately a much better solution than the improvised one I had in place. The teeth all grip the cog well and I put everything back together.

The drive for the extruder was also straightforward and now the work ahead of me looks to be getting more complicated: the hot end. I suppose it does what it says on the tin - its where things get hot. Here are the pieces laid out before I start.

I'll update here when I've made more progress. With the knowledge that I'll soon be finished with the mechanical construction, comes a feeling of trepidation that I'll soon be wiring and fiddling with software. Sorry to disappoint folks, but it'll still be a while before I get printing stuff. Every little helps though, feedback is also welcome, I could do with some positive energy!

My Wife made brownies tonight. I need practice with soldering before I can move on, I don't want to do a bad job when I can ruin some other stuff first. My Midi-controller broke on the way to work, so I am going to try and fix that up. I am also going to take apart a couple of my daughters more annoying toys and see if that can give me any insight. I heard the Yes Men started out swapping Barbie boards with GI-Joes'.

My friend had an opening night for his global online TV channel and my other friend told me to come round to his anytime to check out his Arpeggiators. I found out yesterday my Mum has to have Chemo-therapy. I am gonna book flights to go see her.

The next step will be attaching the heated print bed and it involves some soldering. Not exactly the kind of thing I can do with my 1 year old running around the place, and I started full time work again this week so no progress today I'm afraid peeps. Still shaking with anticipation about doing it though.... so it won't be long! :D

Frame complete!

I have just finished assembling the frame in its entirety with the motors mounted all in the right place, everything fits and is measured to be at the right angles and everything, the belts are the right tightness, each screw is precisely adjusted to maximise the perfection of this beautiful flower!

As you can possibly tell, I'm a tad proud of what I have so far! I am dying to get on with the next bit, the heatbed assembly, but unfortunately Spurs are playing Arsenal in a wee while in the North London Derby. It might seem like a more frustrating exercise, painstaking and nailbiting, to assemble a replicating rapid prototyper.... but alas no! I am guaranteed to get more frustrated and annoyed at the television and my Arsenal supporting friends. Hope you like it... more soon!