Ramps 1.4 + Knee and Column kit

Details

This will be my first exploration into creating something for public consumption.

To be more specific: I make a bunch of primitive metal shapes like this, however I have never shared any thing in a public forum like this.

I usually end up making tools to solve my problems at work out of a combination of: raw materials, general problem solving, and powerful graphic design tools called CAM(Computer Assisted Machining) and CAD(Computer Assisted Design).

So it is a bit soul crushing at times because of all the miles.

I also don't mean to talk down to you I simply wish to describe in detail my story and present a sort measurement where I am at in the point of my journey.

To a lesser extent I am putting this out there for you to read, whoever you are.

Perhaps you will comment or like if you are interested, which will encourage me to share more.

Hopefully this is not irking for you.

Anyhow.

I am able to apply these combinations of skills to make a machine kit that is like a combination of two distinct processes of the toner transfer>caustic and acid etching path to printed circuit board crafting.

Given the general availability of the Ramps 1.4 hardware, and various soft wares available to drive, simulate, and manually control the various systems of the system in question gives you a shortcut to controlling a variety of systems, not just 3D printers.

In this case this is a quick fix to not wanting to program and design YET another thing (PID tuning machine in this case.) and it got where I needed to be: A finished homemade PCB

I think that is a pretty apt description of my journey into the making of combination systems. I wanted a thing and I thought why the hell don't I just make it?

The same reason I don't make beer.

But alas that road is many leagues behind me now.

SO--combine this kit with your ramps 1.4 and then you can heat and press the toner transfers to your copper clad, then after you've etched the PCB and you're ready to solder your SMD components you'll flip the head around heat it up then place your boards on the plate and wait a couple minutes, there-by re-flowing your solder paste and SMD components to the board. After you're feeling satisfied with where the soldering is you can remove the PCB in question and set it on a head resistant surface that will absorb the process heat.

Anyways feel free to comment.

Project Logs

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Side two for TPS61090 pcb.
Jayken • 11/02/2019 at 02:51 • 0 comments

Didn't give enough clearance on some of the pads. Had to get creative to insulate them from the rest of the copper. That was fun.
Etching a PCB from a toner transfer made with the KC heat press combo reflow hot plate.
Jayken • 11/02/2019 at 02:48 • 0 comments

Learning to use the TI TPS61090; Made quicker and cheaper by creating the prototype myself. Used a solution of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part muriatic acid. It etched so fast it was like watching frost melt off a hot window. Goodbye forever ferric chloride.
Re-use cans for stencils. But how do I flatten the can nicely? With the KneeCol Kit for Ramps 1.4. That's right kids it doesn't just move 3D printers! It also creates up-cycling for your heap of aluminum drink cans!
Jayken • 10/31/2019 at 01:27 • 0 comments

Transfer to aluminum can material.
a bit of marker editing.
Try number two at PCB. Bottom side.
Jayken • 10/30/2019 at 03:46 • 0 comments

Try number two at PCB. Bottom side.
Try number two at making a pcb. Top side.
Jayken • 10/30/2019 at 03:45 • 0 comments

toner transfer result.
An end point for a half baked idea. Made using the RAMPS 1.4 knee and column press kit.
Jayken • 10/30/2019 at 01:44 • 0 comments

Artificing: A small copper and aluminum golem that doubles as a solder paste stencil for a failed PCB design. Our mistakes rewarded with art.
A short video to show the smd soldering capabilities of the machine.
Jayken • 10/22/2019 at 01:09 • 0 comments

Here you can see me doing rework on one of my other projects.
Knee Column Ramps 1.4
Jayken • 10/19/2019 at 02:55 • 0 comments

Knee Column kit for ramps in smd soldering heatpad.
Side view
toner transfer press configuration
transferring toner.
toner transfer
results of toner transfer.
Photo Addendum: Using MDF as a thermal barrier to slow down temperature loss through similarly conducting surfaces doesn't give you a good result!