Kurisu_MakiseSG

http://www.reddit.com/user/Kurisu_MakiseSG

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Kurisu_MakiseSG2 karma

Yes. The rep-rap program is all about this. (you can't print things like the stepper motors or the metal supports however)

http://reprap.org/

Kurisu_MakiseSG2 karma

Thank-you for not making your filament proprietary.

Kurisu_MakiseSG1 karma

There's also repositories of models already

Yeggi.com

Thingiverse.com

Kurisu_MakiseSG1 karma

If you give it the .STL of a dildo it would...

Kurisu_MakiseSG1 karma

The process of making a 3d printer?

You need a stepper motor on each axis (generally 2 on the Z, which is the up/down one,) belts to drive them from there (Z uses threaded rods or leadscrews usually.)

You need a control board and motor drivers which are available as a standard package. ArduinoMEGA with a Ramps 1.4 board is very popular.

You need an extruder and a stepper on it the force the filament into the hotend to melt it. The hotend then places the material on the bed (usually glass or some other type of plastic.)

That's about it really. Some frame work to support everything and make it rigid and you're done!