SUMPOD BASIC - How to assemble?

[peterjames]

Hi Forum.

I purchased myself a SUMPOD BASIC back in April 2013, I've been fascinated by the opportunities of 3D printing and thought I dont buy one, I never shall so I made the leap and bought the SUMPOD BASIC, a bargain considering the prices of 3D printers.

So this is my first 3D printer and I require some help with its assembly. The instructions on Richards site only go as far as showing me how to construct the MDF frame and carriages, yet leaves me with zero instructions on where and how to assemble all other parts of the kit.

I've searched for instructions but the closest I have found is for a belt drive basic, whereas mine seems to be a rack and pinion.

Is anyone able to show/talk me through the build process in a step by step manner to help me complete my machine. I would be most grateful. So far it sits only partially completed until I know just what I'm supposed to do next

I'm completely new to all of this so please dumb it down for me, I'm really keen to have this machine up and running. Hope this Forum can help

Currently I have assembled the MDF frame and carriages, to a hot rod red and gold ironman colour scheme because I'm a nerd.

Many Thanks,

Pete

Attachments:

[peterjames]

Anyone?....

Attachments:

[more3d]

sumpod.jumpwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page

[peterjames]

This is the model that is quite different from my sumpod basic.
It has many different components and uses a belt drive.
The model I have is Rack and pinion

[peterjames]

This is the rack and pinion included with the kit. There are two of the MDF bars. It seems clear that one holds the rack to the right side of sumpod.
yet I'm unsure of the purpose of the other, there are correspoding holes on the bottom MDF panel of the sumpod.

Can the forum tell me the location and purpose of these parts and which bolts to attach them with (currently im using M6 45mm)

Also how far down the shaft of the motor should the pinion sit.

Hope the forum can help.

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[Tom Tom]

it is used to hold the fan at the base with the other as a spacer. I think it was in the manual when I last looked.

[peterjames]

Jul 8, 2013 16:13:19 GMT -5 @Tom Tom said:

it is used to hold the fan at the base with the other as a spacer. I think it was in the manual when I last looked.

Do you have a link or upload of that manual you can share? these parts are not mentioned in the instructions given by Sumpod.

I received 2 of these MDF bars. I can see how one can be used to hold the rack at the top of the machine. though it also seems to need spacing to make contact with the pinion wheel when the motor is attached.

How many did you receive with your kit is your sumpod also a rack and pinion basic?

[peterjames]

I've had some progression with my Rack and pinion drive Sumpod. After several messages to Richard Sum requesting better assembly instructions, He responded by giving me a ring where we could talk through the assembly. This was most helpful and He said to me that if anyone is having any issues do email him as he is more than happy to troubleshoot any issues.


That said here is what I've achieved so far.

There are two MDF bars.
One is attached to the top right hand of the sumpod (when viewed from the front). It acts as a spacer behind the Rack bar. I believe I used two M6 x 45 bolts threaded through from the side to hold the rack securely in place.
The second is bolted into the bottom of sumpod, again I used short M6 bolts. Its role is for screwing the fan (to cool the electronics) to using the wood screws provided.







Y AXIS



pop the pinion wheel onto the motor shaft and tighten with hex key. The pinion wheel should sit on the motor shaft so it still as good contact with the rack but also it doesn't obstruct the carriage plate passing overhead)
Attach diagonally with two M3 x16 bolts and washers


Z AXIS



one of my motors had quite short wires, this is the Z axis that will turn the threaded rod, as it will be stationary it doesn't need long wires.
Its best to first pop the coupling over the motor shaft and tighten with an Hex key.
Then thread the rod through the the plastic drive nut that sits in the carriage.
you can then bring the two together and tighten the threaded rod into the coupling.

Now be careful when handling the machine as the carriage will only be able to move when you rotate the motor shaft and rod.

To tighten the motor to the MDF base use four M3 x16 bolts and washers. Its fiddly but possible.
Ideally you would have done this first before completely the MDF final assembly but it wasnt stated in the guide.



Surprisingly the threaded rod is not designed to be supported at the to but i guess this doesn't stop you adding a support of your own design later should you wish.

X AXIS



This motor is attached diagonally.
Tighten the pinion wheel onto the motor shaft using the hex key
use two remaining M3 x 20 bolts and four washers, washers both below and above the MDF, this helps to lift the motor off the sides of the sumpod allowing you to butt the motor up close so the pinion wheel has good contact with the rack. I found that i needed to sand the bolts back a bit as they were too long giving me to much play. When sanded they tightened much easier. Ive always found it easier to tighten one bolt first then shimmy the motor into the ideal position for good contact before tightening the second bolt.

There are grooved channels on the back MDF panel of sumpod that the wires of components can be run down and secured using the white plastic clips and wood screws.


I hope this information is of help to the forum.

[jason]

Hi All. Just recieved my BASIC
Read the above with intrest...answers some of my questions ( more than basic sumpod assy 1.1 or from somewhere else 1.2).
one would have thought that sumpod.com would have the most uptodate files but maybe not.

But I seem to have some deviations.

1 I seem to have an audino/ramps1.3 not a sanguino.. so what firmware ?. Basic fw seems to be for sanguino

2 my extruder is "all metal" great. Where does it bolt?

3 hot end .. see 2 above parts seem missing I have a"finned@ ali part , a m3 coupler a brass nozzlew and ali block..the hot end makes sense but how should the finned bit fix down and what is ment to couple this to the feed motor? ( about 500 mm of pipe ( bowden? ) two push fit air couplings one of which fits the feed motor assy..
Yes I should ask R S but I give up..

[bdureau]

Hello
I just got myself a 3D printer (SUMPOD BASIC Wood) from eBay and I am now looking for building instruction.
Do you know if they still sell that printer because it does not seam to be on the SUMPOD web site anymore.
Boris

[ratmonkey]

No, he now sells the "Basic Aluminium" (sadly it is smaller than the Basic MDF)
But you can find the Buildinstructions here -> www.sumpod.com/pages/assembly

[bdureau]

yes I got those but that is really minimal....

However I have been through all the pictures that I could find on this forum and the internet and everything is starting to make sense.