Final VAT Tilt ( I promise...maybe ).

As the title states I cannot promise, that I will not revisit this subject again and end up revising it.

I had made some test assembly until I was certain that it will fit and my measurements are correct.

BOM : look at link below:

http://3dlprint.com/2011/09/vat-frame-cont/

This list has been published before.

So lets get on with the pictures:

This is how the finished assembly will look like! I know you have heard it before, but in this case it is true. These are shots of the springs:

Follow the pics of the tilt travel ( for now, I may rework that ):

From what you can see - Yes, there is only 5mm of travel. :-(

The image above is shot from below to see the positioning of the VAT relative to the projector.

See ya later ( in only a few moments )...

It Helps to Complain and run a Blog.

After 5 weeks I have received my CNC cut borosilicate glass for the VAT floor. If you want to read about it...Small post here

With the borosilicate I ordered 10mm soda-lime build base Z axis glass. Green glass compared to Borosilicate below:

It is clear why it is called "green" glass. Here are some more comparison shots 5.5mm Borosilicate vs 5mm soda-lime:

When I cleaned the borosilicate glass it was like looking through air! Amazing!

The glass was one of my major components. From here I can mount the VAT tilt, the Z Axis height and VAT tilt linear slide.

I also have some small resin samples ( 10ml ) coming in next week from Dymax.

I will experiment with the regular Soda lime vs Borosilicate and let you know.



Cheers!

VAT base glass coating test

I have spread some silicone on a glass piece and placed 4 different foils on it. I placed another thick glass on top and clamped down. Left it for 2 days.

From Left to Right below:

Window PVC Foil, Backing foil from PVC Foil, Flower cellophane foil and A3 blueprints protector sheets.

The A3 blueprints protector is quite thick. It cured on the sides but in the center it stayed a little wet after 2 days:

The Flower Cellophane foil was next and the silicone DID NOT dry at all. It stayed wet and sticky:

The PVC Foil Backing was next. I could not get it peeled off.The silicone was solidly stuck to the foil and glass:

Next was the PVC backing itself. It is textured on one side and absolutely smooth on the other:

IT WAS PERFECT! The silicone has dried underneath and was easy to peel off. The surface was smooth and as you will see perfectly transparent:

The PVC Foil looks like this:

It is used as a security foil or when you need to texture the glass on your windows. I have bought it from Mr Bricolage, but it is available in Praktiker or other stores. In the US you should be able to find something similar in Lowe's, Home Depot or Ace Hardware .

I will be coating the regular sized 150mm X 150mm glass with silicone next.

Cheers.

VAT 100% silicone dam wall

Time to setup another test. I am trying to create a dam wall for the silicone coated VAT, that I have not yet built. I will have details on the experiment with glass and different foil in an attempt to create a thin coating of silicone on the VAT glass.

I have found an aluminum I-beam with unequal sides. One side is 7mm high and the other is 5mm. Width is 17mm. I filled the channel with silicone and let it dry for 3-4 days outside (still relatively warm here - 24C during the day). It solidified and used an exacto knife to separate the sides and lift the silicone.

I used a business card to smooth the silicone while still wet. Put it in the pipe from the lens assembly spacer post to keep it from dust.

Revisited VAT Holder and Tilt

So, Here is the finished revisited VAT Holder and tilt:

This is my 150mm X 150mm regular Soda-Lime green glass test piece ( until my borosilicate 5.5mm glass arrives ).

Slide the Aluminum extrusion profile from the BOM of the VAT Frame Cont. post and First Stab at VAT... over the edge and:

Secure the Glass with the help of the Hex grub screws of the Glass Shelf Holders.

Leave some spacing for a bracket that will be hooked up to the VAT tilt linear slide and motor.

Take some measurements and draw a horizontal line on the L-shape profile from the BOM:

Keep the aluminum and glass holders tight and leveled parallel to the L-shape profile.

I am using 4mm bolts (they will be cut to length later), so drill with 4.2mm bit. This leaves some room for adjustments ( about 0.3mm ) in all directions.

Once both sides are done line them up and tighten slightly. Use some soft foam (or thin rubber strips, or folded paper etc.) to pad the glass in the aluminum profile. Be careful not to break the glass. Place it on a flat surface (see Build Base ) and level.

I will choose one of these three springs based on trial and error:

First is stiff, second is soft and springy, third is a little short and stiff. The washers are M4 - 18mm X 1mm.

Done! Have a productive day!

P.S. Wear eye protection when working. Be safe!

VAT Frame cont.

This, I hope to be a fairly good VAT frame idea, otherwise it is back to the bathroom... LOL

BOM:

7.5mm x 1mm  - "U"-shape aluminum extrusion -  1 meter long

15.3mm x 27mm x 1.5mm - "L"-shape aluminum extrusion - 1 meter long

15.3mm x 27mm x 1.5mm - "U"-shape aluminum extrusion - 1 meter long

21.5mm x 25.4mm glass shelf holder - look for one with inside measurements (8.2mm) for 8mm glass - 4 pcs

Assorted springs for your flying-spring-eye-poking pleasure in multiples of 4.

The 7.5mm x 1mm U-shape extrusion has an inside measurement of around 6mm - perfect for my Borosilicate glass VAT floor of 5.5mm. The glass holders have hex grub screws that will hold the 7.5 profile with the glass.

This is how it will look when assembled:

 Just to remind you what the render looks like - In white this time. Wooow! Uuuu! Aaahhh!:

Cheers!

First Stab at VAT Holder and Tilt

This was a productive weekend. I was struck by a fantastic idea while in the bathroom. Yes! In the bathroom I get the best ones. LOL

Took a screwdriver and headed in. My 1/2 was scared what was going to happen. HACKING! -of course, what else!

Later after a test fit I repaired the damage done and all is well with the fixtures.

See below render and picture:

Next comes the BOM and more pics.