I can't wait to get my hands on this little item :-D

Only joined here for this project! Really excited and looking forward to more info soon kram.

I wondered where u got off to Kram, I don't know how I could have missed this site! I have been thinking for a while now I would like to upgrade my MK1 Phlatty to aluminum extrusion. For cutting sheet goods, the MK1 is still one of the best machines around. Played around in skethup a bit trying to build one, but my skills are just not up to the task.
I would love to see a V-slot conversion of the original phlatprinter, any chance of that happening?

Wow, I'm really impressed that you open sourced this and I see a bright future for the feed features. I'd like to see this incorporated as a standard mod to all cnc's. It just makes sense. The Phlouty(routy+phlatprinter), the PhlOx(OX + plhatprinter), the phlaurek(Laurex laser cutter+ Phlatprinter). It's just like any mod. Needs to be added to all builds. Just my $0.02

Mark, I love your idea of building this in V-Slot! I have wanted to upgrade my original Phlatprinter for some time. A V-Slot build would (hopefully) allow me to upgrade and use some of the components I already have...

Mark It's awesome that you have released this to be open source. This is the machine that get me hooked in CNC and RC plane scratch building. Now that there are so many 3D printer stepper driver boards it's even cheaper to acquire necessary stepper drive parts.

I am sure a V-slot version would be well received - especially as parts list kit from the store.

Since this is kinda like 3D printer's - where the barrier to entry is often having access to a 3D printer to make your self the parts needed to build one for your self. It would be neat form of pay it forward... that once I have my OX based router built I will perform some test cuts and will use the PhlatPrinter parts file and will send the resulting cut out parts to someone who was looking to build a PhlatPrinter for just the cost of shipping. Then that user could post a build thread here and update it with something like TinyG or GBRL for the driverboard etc?

I still have my Phlatprinter MK1 sitting under my MK3. That machine was what got me started in CNC.
My MK3 is still running strong pumping out foamy kits.
A Vslot Phlatty would be good.

Thanks Mark . The build video's are the exact ones i used when i built my first machine .
They will be very usefulle for any new builders doing this machine .And the SKP files with the 3d model is fantastic
for looking at the parts the way everything goes togeather. Kinda makes my 3d model look really BAD
Thanks again

This week I added a pneumatic lift arm to my Phlatprinter 3. Best upgrade I have done since adding the Rigid router. Basically two 9/16 x 2.5" stroke cylinders coupled to a 110v pneumatic 4 way switch with two regulators, 1 flow control valve and two exhaust valves. All put together with 1/4 poly tubing and 1/4" push connectors.

This is saving me so much time. I can now insert a new sheet into the machine without even removing the foam front table extension. My old lift mechanism was completely worn out. I had reinforced the wood pieces with epoxy many times and the lift arm would still not stay up. Now I just flip a switch and the arms go up. Flip a switch and the arms go down. I can completely control the amount of down force on the rollers by adjusting the pressure regulator that sits between the switch and the cylinder top tube.

If someone wants to try and needs more details post it here.

I have a question. I want to build an open builds replacement for my machine and wonder where I might be able to source unique things like the drove rollers that are on the PP3.

Here are the pictures:
. .

hey that would be neat if you could slide the whole roller assembly into an OX and bolt it onto the v-slot

Mark,

I want to say again what an amazing machine you have built. Yes it is really working well now, and I use my Phlatprinter a lot. I think it cuts about 12 hours per week. On Saturday alone I was able to cut out parts for 50 more MiniBipe kits. I am really wondering about my next steps and what I will use when this machine really wears out. I do think your routy design or your Ox could be adapted to dedicated or switched foam cutting. Switched is interesting to me because I also cut a lot of small wood pieces and wonder if a table based router would be better for this type of work. If switched it would have to be able add the rollers in or remove them quickly.

I am also wondering about your thoughts on using an ox type design for dedicated foam cutting? Would having to cut flush to the table be a challenge, leaving an edge on the foam cut that later needs to be sanded? Since I haven't cut foam on a router bed before it's hard to really know what to expect. I want to upgrade on my PP3 some day and I really want something that will take it to the next step. I would love the positive accuracy that I would get from a bed type router but not sure about the negatives. Sorry so many questions?

I am using about 50 psi for the lift and I vary the down pressure between 20 psi and 40. I think 30 psi is pretty close to the spring pressure that was being applied before.

Here are some links to the parts I used for this build change:

110v 4 way Switch: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121088851621?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

9/16 x 2.5 Pneumatic Cylinder: I used two of these. A 2 inch stroke is all that would have been needed. The extra 1/2 inch was not necessary.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380552437664?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I used this tubing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281223998869?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I also used a bunch of push connectors off of Amazon.com. Total I have about $120 invested. I can now raise and lower the arms without even looking at the machine. I just flip a switch and go grab the next sheet.

I have one more question if you know it. What is the drive pulley that is on the Y axis (moving gantry back and forth) of the PP3? Pitch? Number of teeth? Width?

The only problem I am still having with my PP3 is that the Y axis is notchy. I believe that one rotation of the stepper motor just moves the Y axis too far. I would like to try adapting to a smaller drive pulley to increase accuracy.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Sorry to butt in, but I think it may be possible to make a large-format OX using the 1500mm v-slot and then put the rollers on simply by sliding them into the v-slot rails at one end. In effect, this would allow you to process 4x8ft sheets, or longer, without the need for longer extrusion. It's a neat concept because it can be generalized. Just snap on the modular parts you need and away you go. 3D print head and heated bed? Check. Laser cutter? Check. Phlatprinter? Check. Lathe? Check. See how that works? One tool to rule them all, haha

That's almost identical to my routy except my leadscrew is behind the v-slot rather than through it. The problem with mine is that it loses a lot of travel with the way the motor mounts stick out. I think yours might get more travel.

Mark, in a poll I'll vote for the rollers. The option to have foam in any length is what attracted me to the PhlatPrinter in the first place. I also love the fact that no spoiler board is needed.

For serious wood, or any other hard material, one has to go with the bed type of machine.

Hey guys,

just thinking about building one. But where do i know from how thik the MDF Base Material for construction has to be? From the attached SketchUp file i can meassure 25mm of thikness for the MDF. Seems a lite to big!?

the dxf file are not scale? opened with librecad size does not seem right