fisher-small

Overview

The RepRapPro Fisher is the latest RepRap self-replicating 3D printer from RepRapPro. The machine is a faster to assemble, networked 3D printer with non-contact bed probe for full geometric compensation.

These pages are the complete instructions for building, commissioning and using the RepRapPro Ltd version of RepRap Fisher. Like all RepRap machines, RepRapPro Fisher is fully open-source. It is licensed under the GPL. All the design files and software are available from the RepRapPro Ltd Github repository.

The RepRapPro Fisher is fitted with the open-source Duet electronics.

If you want to print the plastic parts for a RepRapPro Fisher, see this web page.

General notes

  • BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ASSEMBLE ANY PART OF THE RepRapPro FISHER 3D PRINTER, PLEASE READ THESE BUILD INSTRUCTIONS FULLY AND ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THEM. Although all parts are covered by warranty, this will be invalidated by your not following these build instructions. You are building a complicated machine; many different skills are required to build, to commission and to operate a 3D printer. Try not to rush your build, or you may miss out something vital!
  • Give yourself plenty of space and ensure your work area is clean. Dust and dirt are a 3D printer’s worst enemy.
  • All printed parts have been printed on RepRapPro’s own machines. Despite the fact that these machines are highly tuned RepRap 3D printers, some holes and features may need a little fettling to get the best performance from the RepRapPro Fisher. There is a video how-to on fettling 3D printed parts here on Vimeo.
  • Before you start the build, please ensure you have all the components as listed on the packing list included in the kit. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact us through our contact page.
  • We understand that people may want to change aspects of the machine’s design, and in fact we encourage this as it is one of the benefits of open-source development. Before changing anything, please be aware that the RepRapPro Fisher has been designed to maximise its build volume relative to the the machine’s footprint, and as such many of its components fit closely to others. So consider your changes carefully before you try to implement them. And when you find improvements, please tell us and the world so that we can include them in future kits, and so that existing owners can upgrade their own machines.
  • The RepRapPro Fisher is a robust RepRap machine once assembled; however it does require a certain amount of care during assembly. If in doubt, force is usually not the answer! There are many ways to get support and advice; see below.

Printing parts for Fisher beta

If you have bought the hardware-only version of the Fisher beta kit, you will want to print and/or laser cut the parts. You may also want to print/cut spare parts for your printer. Parts are available as STL and DXF files (as appropriate) and SolidWorks files. You can also view a whole assembly of the printer, using the SolidWorks assembly file, in the free SolidWorks eDrawing viewer program.

The Fisher beta has now been superseded by Fisher 1. The original versions of the Fisher beta (part number 1178.0) parts are here: https://github.com/reprappro/Fisher/tree/1178.0. Some parts common to all our machines are in the Library github repository.

You can download the whole github repository, or download the parts individually. The list below shows the part number, part name, quantity and location of the parts. The ‘Location’ links to each part’s page. This will also help you identify the parts, as it shows a preview of the part (STL only). If you download the parts individually, make sure you download the ‘RAW’ version of the file; if you right-click on a link and download, you will end up with a file with the right name (with .stl on the end), but it will actually be an html document!

Original parts

STL parts (for printing):

# Description Qty Location
152 Tongue 1 Library/STL
1239 Drive block 1 Fisher/stl
1240 Carriage 3 Fisher/stl
1241 Fan duct 1 Fisher/stl
1242 Fan spacer 1 Fisher/stl
1243 Idler 3 Fisher/stl
1244 Idler bracket 3 Fisher/stl
1245 Kinematic mount 3 Fisher/stl
1246 Motor bracket 12 Fisher/stl
1247 Nozzle duct 1 Fisher/stl
1249 Spigot 1 Fisher/stl
1252 Thumbwheel 1 Fisher/stl

DXF parts (for laser cutting):

# Description Qty Location
1195 (3mm acrylic)
2 x 1195 – Front panel
12 x 1232 – Rod
1 Fisher/dxf
1196 Only one of each of these parts needed (3mm acrylic):
1 x 1196 – Side panel
1 x 1233 – Effector
1 x 1234 – Effector top plate
1 x 1255 – Drive block spacer
1 x 1237 – Lever
1 x 1238 – Lower lever
1 x 1236 – Drive spacer
1 Fisher/dxf
1204 Bed (5mm acrylic) 1 Fisher/dxf
1205 Top plate (5mm acrylic) 1 Fisher/dxf
1206 Base plate (5mm acrylic) 1 Fisher/dxf
1223 Effector plate (3mm MDF) 1 Fisher/dxf

Updated parts

The following parts have been updated since the list above, and have the benefit of the development work of Fisher 1. See the note at the end of this blog post: https://reprapltd.com/reprappro/2015/10/02/fisher-delta-1-0/

# Description Qty Location
1240 Carriage 3 Fisher/stl
1243 Idler 3 Fisher/stl
1301 Effector 1 Fisher/stl

You can also updated your direct drive extruder to the Fisher 1 geared extruder driver. See the Fisher 1 extruder drive instructions. The files are in the RepRapPro geared-extruder-drive github repository, but will also require some extra hardware (available as a kit from our webshop).

# Description Qty
448 Hobbed insert 1
279 623 bearing 1
423 MR93ZZ bearing 2
113 M3x25mm hex head screw 1

Get support

If you find you need help or advice with assembling, commissioning or using your RepRapPro Fisher 3d printer, you can use the following channels:

  • Check the instructions again; we are regularly updating them with feedback from our growing user-base.
  • Contact the support department of the company that sold you your printer.
  • Check the Fisher discussion forum on the RepRap community forums.
  • Contact us on our irc (internet relay chat) channel RepRapPro on freenode irc
  • Contact us via email; see our contact page.

Tool List

fisher-tools

Tools required for the build of the RepRapPro Fisher 3D printer:

Required

  • Allen keys: 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm (the long reach type, with a ‘ball’ hex on the end, are very useful)
  • 5.5mm (M3) socket and/or spanner
  • Fine tweezers
  • Fine-nosed pliers
  • Scissors
  • Drill: 2.5mm
  • Hand chuck, pin vice or small electric drill
  • Small, flat-bladed, electrical screwdriver
  • Digital Multimeter
  • Hot air gun, or cigarette lighter (or other heat source such as a gas cooker ring for heating PTFE heatshrink; a hair dryer is not sufficient)

For adjusting plastic parts, if necessary

  • Drills: 3mm, 4mm
  • File
  • Half round needle file
  • Sharp craft knife

Nice to have, but not necessary

  • Vernier or digital callipers

 

Build steps

Idler assembly

Carriage assembly

Motor assembly

Panel assembly

Effector

Hot end

Connecting rods

Extruder drive

Electronics

Commissioning

First print

Maintenance

Troubleshooting