Solar Panels holders (Solar powered delta)

For full details on a more advanced version of this solar-powered 3-D printer see High-Efficiency Solar-Powered 3-D Printers for Sustainable Development

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  Fig 1:MOST delta 3D printer
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  Fig 2:Spool_holder
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  Fig 3: Solar powered Delta side view
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  Fig 4: Printer PV Power Supply unit
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  Fig 5: Battery mounting, Delta top view
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  Fig 5: Battery casing mounting
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  Fig 6: Melzi casing mounting
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  Fig 6: 3D printer in a Duffel bag

Introduction

This page describes the modifications to the MOST Delta printer' as part of my graduate MY4777/MY5777/EE4777/EE5777 Open-source 3-D printing class project. This project enable the use of the MOST-delta printer off-the grid using solar power. These modifications not only makes the solar powered 3D printer a valuable tool for poverty alleviation and wealth creation in the developing world, but it also gives any 3D printing enthusiast the freedom to safely transport their printer to a remote camping site or any location of their choice. The modifications steps involved the following;

• PV system sizing - 60 W system.
• Coming up with the bill of materials (BOM).
• Designing and construction of a PV power supply system (fig.4).
• Designing and printing of solar panel holders (For safe transporting in a duffel bag) (fig.3).
• Design and printing of battery casing holder(mounted on top side of the top plywood board)(fig.5).
• Mounting the power supply under the top plywood board (inner-side).
• Design and printing the Melzi board casing (for protection during transit)(fig.6).
• Customized spool holder (easy to assemble) (fig.2).

Bill of Materials

• 12V/1.35A 25W solar panels x 3
• 12A/100W 4.5-30V to 0.8-30V DC Buck Volt Converter x 2
• Li-ion 20Ah battery (includes PCM with balance function)
• 36" Duffel bag
• Bolt with nuts x 3
• LED x 2
• Switches X 2
• Diodes x 5

Source Files

Tools

• 5.5mm nut driver
• Sharp x-acto-like knife
• Small, flat bladed screwdriver
• No.2 Phillips screwdriver (a power driver is best)
• 1.5mm allen wrench
• 2mm allen wrench
• 2.5mm allen wrench
• 3mm (1/8") drill bit
• 8mm (5/16") drill bit
• Tape measure (large calipers >300mm are better), preferably metric
• Soldering iron
• Wire strippers and cutters
• Needle nose or other pliers

Consumables

• PLA
• Connector wires

Note that all of the pictures in the process can be enlarged by clicking on them.