October Sale!

Our Prusa's are on Sale! Normally we sell a set of plastic parts for $65, but for the rest of this month we are selling them for $55 (plus shipping). We currently have three of the Prusa's (Iteration 2) ready to ship now! Go to eBay and pick one up in black, natural, or orange ABS. 

While you are visiting our eBay page check out our plastic printed parts for the Printrbot. They come in blue ABS and are currently on sale for $39 (plus shipping).

Oh, and if you can't snatch the eBay items fast enough no need to worry, just fill out an order form or email us and we will print a set/custom item of your choice on-demand! 

Why We've Moved Over to Prusa Iteration 2

We have printed so many of the Original Prusa Mendel's that it is hard to keep count. However, we are now recommending the updated Prusa Iteration 2. The plastic parts are designed for easier construction. This post on the RepRap Blog does a nice job of explaining the list of updates and modifications. Some of the big changes are the minimization of tool usage (many nuts snap into place) and the LM8UU linear bearings which can be found here. If you want to see a comparison between the old Prusa and Iteration 2 check out Gary Hodgson's page. He also made visual instructions for those interested in building an original Prusa. These will work for 90+% of Iteration 2 as well. Hopefully there will be more documentation to accompany the newer Prusa model in the near future.

Custom Designs

What Else Do You Print?

We have been printing a lot of of Prusa Mendels lately. I am continuously surprised and pleased at the steady rate of demand for 3D printed parts. However, I wanted to mention that fabbR is not limited to producing RepRap parts. If you design it, we will print it (as long as it fits on the build platform)! Some of the things that we have designed and printed include: A GPS Mount, bottle opener, and a US CPSC Small Parts Test Tube. For more awesome 3D parts check out Thingiverse.com.


What Software Do You Use?

If you have a design that you would like printed, send us a .stl file and we will provide you with an estimate on the cost of the parts. We are charging $9 per ounce for custom prints. When we receive the file opening it in Rhino is a good way to see the scale of the object. You can also view and manipulate objects with Replicator G, before generating the code to print them. Skeinforge is another helpful piece of software for viewing the layers of a potential print.

Sharing 


What have you printed or shared on Thingiverse? We are interested in seeing what you are printing and designing at home. Leave a message in the comments to let us know.

Credits


rplumley on Thingiverse for designing some really cool parts!

GPS Adapter (pictured above).

What Do You Do?

Have you ever had trouble explaining to a friend or family member what you do for a living? Maybe your career is so specialized that nobody has heard of it. A friend asked me the other day what exactly I print on my 3D Printer. I told her that I print plastic parts on my MakerBot, and sell them to people wanting to build their own printers (e.g., Prusa Mendel). A printer that prints itself is a pretty cool concept when you think about it. Of course this might be hard to visualize, unless you have actually seen the plastic parts, or a photograph of a Prusa.

Furthermore, I explained that my printer was not limited to printing other printers. I have had fun making boxes, blocks, cookie cutters, whistles and other neat things designed by the Thingiverse community. And the creativity does not end there. If you can't find what you want on Thingiverse you can design it yourself! 3D rendering software such as Rhino and Google Sketchup are a good place to test your modeling skills. I know Rhino is pricey, but you can download a free trial (which lasts a long time).

I'm anxious to know what you've told your friends and family about 3D printing. Also, feel free to share some cool tips and advice on things that you've designed and printed yourself.

PLA Bushings

The bushings are the the one part of the Prusa Mendel that is not printed in ABS. They are often used as a replacement for bearings. They are printed with a plastic called PLA. The reason that PLA is used is because it melts at a lower temperature. This causes a slicker print than ABS. However, they will need some lubricant to slide smoothly along the metal rods. If you want to print some for yourself you can download the .STL file from Thingiverse here. I have found that it is a good idea to print several sets of bushings to save yourself time. It also minimizes the hassle of switching between plastics.

Did you use bushings instead of bearings on your Prusa? Let me know what you think in the comments.

sources:
RepRap Wiki
Thingiverse
Ryan

Replicating For a Cause

This month we're selling a "bubblegum" pink set on eBay to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A close friend recently recovered from breast cancer treatment. The toll that such extreme medical treatment has on those diagnosed and their loved ones is great. It is crucial to fund Breast Cancer related programs doing research, providing awareness and promoting education.

If you have been thinking about building a Prusa, now is a great time. We've printed over a dozen sets of RepRap Prusa Mendel plastic parts and have committed to increasing quality and maintaining low cost. You can build an awesome 3D printer and know that you are also supporting a good cause. Please take the time to stop by our eBay page and place a bid on these pink parts!

3D Printing at NYC Maker Faire

It is awesome to see MakerBot and Prusa Mendel at Maker Faire. A couple of years ago I had never heard of 3D printing. I am still amazed by the digital fabrication process that is 3D printing. I'll admit, I have trouble grasping the science and mathematics behind these machines. Of course you do not have to completely understand something for it to be fun! I enjoyed putting together our MakerBot. I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to work, until I saw the plastic coming out of the extruder. I am still learning about 3D printing all the time. If you would like to learn more about it check out the information and links below. The MakerBot TV video is especially cool.

The RepRap 3D printer made an appearance at the NYC Maker Faire this past weekend.  Josef Prusa gave a presentation on the history of RepRap. If you were unable to attend you can check out the slideshow. Also MakerBot was at the Faire and recorded some goodies on their new show MakerBot TV.


credits-
This photo was taken with the Tiny Plant Photos iPhone App.

Prusa Mendel and Extruder for $65 (Natural ABS)!

Due to popular demand we are currently taking orders for Prusa parts and extruders for $65 plus shipping. The $65 set is printed in natural ABS. We are charging $75 plus shipping for colored plastic. Oh, and if you'd like glow-in-the-dark that will be a bit more too. It is hard to come by these days.

See the post on the RepRap Forums for full details. And as always, if you have any questions, or would like to place a custom order feel free to contact us!