Design and Fabrication of a Lightweight Desktop 3D Printer Machine at a Low Cost.

Raihan Ahmed Redoy^* ,Sajal Chandra Banik, Md Ashikul Alam Ashik and Zaber Mhamud

Abstract

The proliferation of 3D printing technology has revolutionized various fields, such as rapid prototyping, personalized manufacturing, and creative design processes. The high price of commercial 3D printers continues to be a major obstacle for people, small enterprises, and educational institutions, even with these developments. This study aims to design and fabricate a low-cost desktop Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printer that maintains high functionality, making 3D printing more accessible. The project includes component selection that is both economical and dependable and creative design techniques to reduce material consumption without sacrificing structural integrity. Important considerations are the frame design, the choice and integration of stepper motors, the extrusion mechanism, the heating bed, the control systems, and making sure that the 3D printing software is compatible with commonly used open-source software. The resulting 3D printer offers a balance of cost-efficiency, performance, and user accessibility, providing an effective solution for educational purposes, hobbyists, and small-scale manufacturing. This project demonstrates that it is possible to produce a standard-quality desktop 3D printer at a fraction of the cost of commercial models, opening the door for wider adoption and promoting creativity across multiple sectors.

Objective

With technological maturity, it is possible to fabricate components with complex geometries that might otherwise be not achievable by the conventional subtractive manufacturing process. The high cost of 3D printers stems from advanced technology, precision components, and specialized materials, with industrial-grade models incorporating expensive motors and proprietary software for accuracy and durability. Additionally, research and development costs, along with limited large-scale production, contribute to their high market price. By designing and building a low-cost desktop Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printer with excellent functionality, this project seeks to increase accessibility to 3D printing.

Graphical Representation

Key Points

• Designed a 3D printer that weighs half of the available 3D printers in the market.
• Fabricated the 3D printer at 50% less than the market price.
• Measured the performance of the 3D printer and compared it with a conventional 3D printer.