So I broke down and ordered a laserless MakerBot kit shortly after MakerBot Industries started offering them. I also ordered a few motor controllers for my upcoming CNC project and some nichrome wire and thermistors for some back up heater barrels. I still want to make a version that utilizes more printed parts and more readily available components. I have quite a few spare parts since I've been gearing up to build a MakerBot for a while, so I should have most of what I need to make a second bot utilizing the 'control' MakerBot to manufacture parts for the experimental one. I'd really like to see if I can get comparable performance out of 0.2" pitch timing belts and printed pulleys. Providing alternatives for the special order SDP-SI components and utilizing more printed parts means future MakerBots could cost less and supply wouldn't necessarily be tied to a specific supplier's stock of parts.
Tags: 3D Printer, Makerbot