Tomorrow morning

Making a 3D printer as you can imagine consists of a lot of screwing and glueing, a lot of joking and jiggery pokery, and general fun learning as a group. The day was about exchange, collaboration, and learning as much as you can about innovation. 'Glorified Lego' is one way to describe the build process itself, and yes following lots of instructions, slotting a smooth rod in here, plugging these cables there - especially when all the soldering has already been done for you. (Thanks Bram)

There I am with the power supply unit, screwing flange nuts onto threaded rods, and enjoying it a lot by the looks of things!

I suppose you get the idea.

As much fun as it was for me being surrounded by Tork screws though,

I can't imagine anyone really wanting me to describe each and every step of the way - 

and besides, Morris already has: https://github.com/open3dengineering/i3_Berlin/wiki

Double E3D extruders for printing in two materials :D

Our workspace for the weekend

Just some old antiques lying around :D

Puttting the finishing touches to the frame.

The end. I stare solemnly into the soul of my new companion.

 Now is the best part, now I get to take this baby home and print to my heart's content. I am going to be very busy in the coming weeks! All my dreams have pretty much come true - all I wanted to do in the first place was build a 3D printer that worked really well. I have come a long way.

I now have two functioning printers at home, both of which I can use to improve the other - or repair the other, providing they don't break down at the same time. Thats why I need a third printer. The old Huxley will come back to life. I have a modular extruder from Germanreprap GmbH to put on it and wild ideas to customize the printed parts just so that they look special, but still function well.

She still needs a board of course after I burnt out the last Melzi, so I shall have to get another. Ramps is the most widely used for single extruder printers - Bishop (the i3 Berlin) has a RUMBA, especially developed for multiple extruders. The Foldarap will have to be fitted with an add-on board before I can use a second extruder. That should be nice and easy...

Time is of the essence though dear readers, and there are only a limited number of hours in the day to print. I will update you with pictures of all the christmas presents I print for my family as and when they are realized. Keep printing!