MicroCube

Small, inexpensive 3D printer

By Stargrove1
2016/12/27
Summary

The MicroCube is a small, inexpensive 3D printer, designed around the cheap 28BYJ-48
stepper motors (files for Nema17 included except Z axis). The structure of the printer is
based on an exoskeleton, which also serves as the smooth rods for the y-axis. The printer
type is an H-bot style printer using a fishing line. In order to provide enough torque for the
extruder, two steppers are used in series (or single Nema17 version). Due to the limitations
of the 28BYJ-48 steppers, the precision is limited as well as the print speed (2-3 times
slower than a standard printer).
Video of print:​ ​https://youtu.be/JlPdN9ktdqY

Features

● Low cost ~100€

● Easy to build
● Printable Area of 120mm x 115mm x 95mm
● Small footprint 220mm x 220mm
● Low noise during print (with 28BYJ-48 steppers ~50dB)
● Upgradeable with Nema17 motors for higher speed and precision

History

2016/12/03 Version 1.0 Initial Version

2016/12/07 Video added
2016/12/18 Added Nema17 extruder and X/Y axis components incl. diagonal stabilizer
Parts List

Printed parts:

4 x Corner parts bottom (Corner_bottom.STL)

1 x RAMPS holder (Ramps_holder.STL)
1 x LCD controller bracket, bottom (optional) (LCD_holder_bottom.STL)
2 x LCD controller bracket, side (optional) (LCD_holder_side.STL)
1 x z-axis bottom (z_axis_motor_mount_rod.STL)
1 x z-axis top (z_axis_bearing_mount_rod.STL)
2 x z-axis motor coupler (z_motorshaft_shaft_coupler.STL)
1 x z-axis bed platform (Z_axis_platform_mount.STL)
2 x z-axis bed holder (Bed_Lever.STL)
2 x End switch holder (Limit_switch.STL)
1 x Corner part front left (Corner_l.STL)
1 x Corner part front right (Corner_r.STL)
2 x Corner part motor (Motor_corner.STL)
1 x Motor mount left (Motor_mount_l.STL)
1 x Motor mount right (Motor_mount_r.STL)
2 x Motor pulley (Pulley_15mm.STL)
2 x y-axis carriage (y_carriage.STL)
1 x y-axis end stop trigger (y_carriage_endstop_trigger.STL)
1 x x-axis carriage (x-carriage.STL)
1 x x-axis wire holder (Wire_holder.STL)
1 x x-axis fan holder (Fan_holder.STL)
1 x x-axis carriage tensioner (x-carriage_tensioner.STL)
1 x hotend fan duct (Hotend_duct.STL)
1 x Extruder base (Extruder.STL)
1 x Extruder lever (Extruder_Lever.STL)
Cable clips small/big as required (Cable_Clip.STL/Cable_Clip_big.STL)

Nema17 upgrade:
1 x Extruder_Nem17_axis.STL
1 x Extruder_Nem17_Mount.STL or Extruder_Nem17_Mount_strip.STL
1 x Extruder_Nema17.STL
1 x Extruder_Nema17_Lever.STL
4 x Corner_stabilizer.STL

Electronics:

5 x Stepper motor 28BYJ-48 5V (bipolar hack required)

3 x Nema17 motors (optional)
1 x 12V / 80W or more power supply (Laptop charger or for LED stripes )
1 x Arduino Mega
1 x RAMPs 1.4 Board
1 x LCD Controller (optional)
3 x 5S-5GL microswitches
1 x 30mm fan 12V
1 x E3D V6 hotend or China clone
1 x USB cable
1 x Power supply power cord
Ribbon cable to extend motor wires

Metal parts:

2 x Direct drive gear 11mm

6 x Smooth rod 8mm x 200mm
10 x Aluminium tubes 8mm x 200mm (or other material)
8 x LM8UU linear bearings
2 x Springs for extruder (7mm x 30mm, strong)
4 x Springs for bed leveling (7mm x 20mm)
1 x Ball bearing 605 (14mm outer, 5mm hole, 5mm thick)
8 x U grooved ball bearing 604uu (13mm outer, 11mm inner, 4mm hole, 4mm thick for
1.75mm filament)
1 x M5 threaded rod ca. 160mm + M5 nut
6 x M2 x 12mm
1 x push fit tube mount M5
M3/M4 screws and nuts
Nema17 upgrade:
2 x 8mm aluminium tube 230mm
M3 and M4 screws

Miscellaneous:

Zip ties 200mm x 3.6mm or comparable

shrinking tube
wires, pinheads
Print bed 4mm polycarbonat 150mm x 150mm
Pneumatic pushfit M5
Pneumatic tube ca. 400mm
~1.5m fishing line
Assmebly guide

Printed parts:

All parts are designed to be printed without support except one, the extruder lever holding
the ball bearings. All parts were printed in PLA with 30% infill. No post printing treatment
required.

Electronics:

For the use of the 28BYJ-48, the bipolar hack is required. A description how this can be
done is available at ​http://www.electronicsmayhem.com/?p=13​ , all 5 motors must be
prepared as described. The wires of the motors are quite short and need to be extended, at
this point, the connector could also be set in the correct sequence:

2B = yellow
2A = blue
1A = pink
1B = orange

At the RAMPs board, the current limit needs to be set, following values could be used as
Vref, fine tuning will be required due to production tolerances. During testing, X/Y/Z steppers
didn’t lose any step, but they heated up slightly.

X/Y/Z driver = 75mV

E driver = 150mV

Mechanics:
The printer is designed as an H bot, due to the small size, a fishing line is used along with
ball bearings which are usually used in the extruder to guide the fishing line.
The extruder with two motors instead of one is used in order to provide enough torque for a
direct drive bowden setup, the tension of the spring must be balanced not to harm the
motors or gears but also to provide enough force for extrusion.

Step 1:

Assembly of lower frame:

4 x Corner bottom
1 x z_axis_motor_mount_rod
4 x Aluminium rod 200mm
10 x M3 nut
10 x M3 x 10mm screw
Rod is inserted to z-axis mount horizontally, at each end of the rod, a corner part is attached
facing the two screw holes upwards. Two rods are inserted into the two corner pieces
pointing to the later front of the printer. the two remaining corners are put over the last rod
also with the screw holes pointing upwards. The single rod with the two corners gets
connected to the frame to complete the square. At each corner and the z-axis part, two nuts
are entered to the pockets on the inner side of the frame. The ten M3 screws are entered
from the outer side and are not tightened yet.

Lower frame

Step 2:

Assembly of vertical rods:

1 x 28BYJ-48 stepper motor

2 x Smooth rod 200mm
4 x Aluminium rod 200mm
2 x M4 x 10mm screw

At each corner an aluminium rod is inserted, at the z-axis mount, the two smooth rods are
inserted in the 8mm holes. The M3 screws from point one are tightened to hold the rods. The
stepper motor is inserted as shown in the picture with the axis aligned to the smooth rods,
two M4 screws are used to mount the motor.

z-axis motor mount

Step 3:

Assembly of threaded z-rod

2 x z-axis motor coupler

1 x M5 threaded rod 160mm
4 x M3 nuts
4 x M3 x 10mm screw

The two couplers are put together with the 4 M3 screws and nuts, the flattened inside must
point to the motor shaft. On the other side, the threaded rod is entered. After inserting the
screws are tightened.

Step 4:

Pre assembly of z-platform

1 x z-axis bed platform

2 x z-axis bed holder
1 x 150mm x 150mm printbed (acrylic)
2 x LM8UU linear bearing
8 x M3 nuts
8 x M3 x 20mm screw
1 x M3 x 30mm screw
4 x M3 washer
4 x 15mm spring

The two bed holders are mounted to the platform base with the M3 nut pockets to the
bottom, with four M3 screws. M3 x 30mm screw for the z-axis endstop is screwed vertically
from the top, at the hole beside the LM8UU pocket. The bed is placed on top of the springs
and washers over the bed holders, Four M3 x 20mm screws hold the bed in place and are
used to level the bed. The LM8UU are attached with four zip ties to the platform.

Print bed
Step 5:

Assembly of the z-platform

1 x z-axis platform step 4

1 x M5 nut

M5 nut is added to the threaded rod and roughly centered. The z-platform is put over the
smooth rods until it is held by the M5 nut.

Step 6:

Assembly of the upper frame

1 x Corner part front left

1 x Corner part front right
2 x Corner part motor
1 x z-axis mount top
2 x Aluminium rod 200mm
2 x Smooth rod 200mm
8 x M3 nut
8 x M3 x 10mm screw
2 x M4 x 12mm screw
2 x M4 washer
2 x 604uu ball bearing
4 x LM8UU linear bearing

Aluminium rod is inserted to the z-axis top mount at each corner, a motor mount is attached,
the two holes must face to the later rear of the printer. The smooth rods are inserted to the
corners. At both smooth rods, two LM8UU bearings are added. The remaining aluminium rod
is inserted into the corner parts front, the single holes for the bearing must face upwards.
The two parts are combined to the upper frame and equipped with the M3 screws and nuts.
At the front side the bearings must be attached, each bearing is mounted with a M4 screw,
between the corner and the bearing a washer is added to allow the bearing to spin.

Upper frame part

Step 7:
Assembly of the frame

1 x Lower frame part

1 x Upper frame part
1 x Ball bearing 605

The ball bearing is inserted to upper frame part to hold the threaded rod in place. Then the
top frame is put on the lower frame at the aluminium and smooth rods. When all rods are
completely inserted, the screws at the corners are tightened to hold the frame together.

Step 8:

Pre assembly of y-axis

2 x y-axis carriage
2 x Smooth rod 200mm
4 x M3 nut
4 x M3 x 10mm screw
4 x M4 x 12mm screw
4 x M4 washer
4 x 604uu ball bearing
2 x LM8UU linear bearing

At both y-axis carriages, two 604 bearings are mounted with the M4 screws, between the
bearing and the carriage a washer is entered to allow the bearing to spin. The smooth rods
are entered at one side to the carriage, then a LM8UU bearing is added to each of the rods.
The second carriage is attached to the open side of the smooth rods. The M3 screws are
added to secure the smooth rods but not tightened yet.

Step 9:

Assembly of y-axis

1 x y-carriage from step 8

1 x y-axis end stop trigger

The y-carriage is positioned above the LM8UU of the frame. At the right side (view from the
front) the bearings are mounted to the carriage by 2-4 zip ties, the bearings should be
aligned to the edge of the carriage. At the left side, the bearings are mounted in the same
way, but additionally, the end stop trigger is attached with the same zip ties at the bottom of
the bearings. After the y-carriages are attached and move freely, the screws holding the
smooth rods could be tightened.
y-axis carriage left

Step 10:

Pre assembly of x-axis

1 x x-axis carriage
1 x x-axis carriage tensioner
1 x M3 x 16mm screw
1 x M3 x 30mm screw
1 x M3 nut
1 x E3D V6 hotend
1 x 5S-5GL micro switch
2 x M2.5 x 12mm screw

The micro switch is mounted on the top side (pockets for the LM8UU bearing) as shown with
two M2.5 screws. The hotend is inserted from the bottom, the M3 screw is inserted from the
outside pointing towards the hotend, between the hotend and the carriage, the M3 nut
inserted. The screw is tightened until the hotend is held in place without moving. At the
bottom, the M3 x 30mm screw is inserted to the hole for the fishing line mount, the tensioner
is mounted with the M3 screw and should be able to move along the carriage.
x-carriage

Step 11:

Assembly of x-axis

1 x x-carriage of step 10

The x-carriage is placed below the LM8UU bearings with the micro switch pointing to the left
(view from the front) and belt tensioner to the rear. Both bearings are mounted to the
x-carriage using two zip ties.

x-carriage

Step 12 (28BYJ-48 variant):

Assembly of XY motors

2 x 28BYJ-48 stepper motors

1 x Motor mount left
1 x Motor mount right
2 x Motor pulley
8 x M4 x 10mm screw

Both motors are equipped with a pulley, they are designed to be pushed to the axis. The two
motor mounts are screwed to the frame by M4 screws. The motors are inserted to the
mounts as shown in the picture, two screws each side are used to hold the motors in place.

Motor mounted

Step 12 (Nema17 variant):

Assembly of XY motors

2 x Nema17 stepper motors

1 x Motor mount left Nema17
1 x Motor mount right Nema17
2 x Motor pulley Nema17
4 x Corner_stabilizer.STL
2 x Aluminium tube 8mm x 230mm
4 x M4 x 10mm screw
8 x M3 x 10mm
4 x M3 x 20mm
4 x M3 nut

Both motors are equipped with a pulley, they are designed to be pushed to the axis, but they
can be secured by a M3 x 8mm screw + nut. The two motor mounts are screwed to the
frame by M4 screws. The motors are inserted to the mounts and fixed with 4 M3 screws
each. For the higher weight and speed, diagonal rods should be used, the aluminium tube is
inserted to the corner parts, the existing screws at the motor corner and the lower front are
removed and used to fix the rods in the stabilizer parts. The diagonal are inserted to the
frame (stabilizers can be pushed further to fit in) and mounted with the M3 x 20mm screws.
All screws are tightened again for rigid frame.

Motor mounted

Step 13:
Assembly of fishing line

~1.5m fishing line

Patience

To attach the fishing line is a little bit tricky, at one end a loop must be made, this loop is
attached to the hook of x-carriage, then the line must be placed in the grooved bearing, one
and half time around the pulley, around the bearing at the front, around the two bearings of
the y-carriages, around the bearing at the front, one and a half time around the second
pulley, around the last y-carriage bearing. The second loop must fit over the hook of the
tensioner, if it is to loose, the tensioner will not be able to tighten it enough. It needs to be
tense enough to not slip, but not to tight to prevent the motors from damage (Nema17
variant is not as sensitive as the 28BYJ-48).

Fishing line path

Step 14:

Assembly of end stops

2 x Limit_switch.STL
2 x 5S-5GL micro switch
4 x M2.5 x 12mm screw
2 x M3 x 16mm
2 x M3 nut
The limit switches are mounted at the holder by two M2.5 screws, that the center is aligned
to the profile. After the holder is placed over the aluminium, the M3 screw + nut is used to fix
it in the position. The z- switch must be above the screw, while the y switch must be aligned
with the trigger as shown in the pictures.

Z-axis switch y-axis switch

Step 15:

Assembly hotend fan

1 x Hotend_duct.STL
1 x Fan_holder.STL
1 x 30mm 12V fan
2 x M3 x 10mm
4 x M3 x 16mm

Fan is mounted with two M3 x 16mm screws at the lower side of the fan duct. The holder is
set on top of the two upper screw holes and gets attached by the remaining M3 x 16mm
screws. The assembled fan duct is mounted with two M3 x 10mm screws at the x-carriage
as shown in the picture.
Hotend fan duct

Step 16 (28BYJ-48 variant):

Assembly Extruder

2 x 28BYJ-48 stepper
2 x Direct drive gear 11mm
1 x Extruder.STL
1 x Extruder_Lever.STL
4 x M4 x 20mm
2 x M4 x 10mm
4 x M4 nut
2 x M3 x 40mm (depending on the springs)
2 x M3 nuts
2 x M3 washer
2 x Springs (7mm x 30mm, strong)
2 x U grooved ball bearing 604uu
1 x M5 push fit tube mount
1 x 4mm pneumatic tube ca. 300mm

Both motors are equipped with the drive gear, the lock screws must face towards the body of
the stepper. The two bearings are inserted to the pockets and fixed with the M4 x 10mm
screws. The motors are inserted to the base and hold in place by two M4 x 20mm screws +
nuts at the side where the pockets for the zip ties are located. The lever is inserted and
should move horizontally without to much force. The remaining M4 screws are inserted and
locked with the nuts. Now the M3 nuts are placed in the pockets. With the M3 x 40mm
screws, the washers and the springs, the lever gets pushed towards the pulleys. The force
must be adjusted later. The push fit gets directly screwed to the base at the upper side of the
extruder and the base is attached to the frame by two zip ties. When it is mounted, the tube
can be connected to the hotend and the extruder.
Extruder 28BYJ-48

Step 16 (Nema17):

Assembly Extruder

1 x Nem17 stepper
1 x Direct drive gear 11mm
1 x Extruder_Nem17_axis.STL
1 x Extruder_Nem17_mount_Strip.STL
1 x Extruder_Nema17.STL
1 x Extruder_Lever_Nema17.STL
2 x M3 x 16mm
1 x M3 x 20mm
1 x M3 x 6mm
1 x M4 x 10mm
1 x U grooved ball bearing 604uu
1 x M5 push fit tube mount
1 x 4mm pneumatic tube ca. 300mm
1 x Springs (7mm x 30mm, strong)

The pulley is mounted by the lock screws at the stepper, the screws face towards the motor
base. The extruder base is mounted by two M3 x 16mm screws on top of the motor. The M3
x 6mm screw is inserted at the tapped hole. The grooved ball bearing is inserted to the lever
and fixed by the M4 screw as shown in the picture, the bearing must spin freely. The printed
axle is inserted to the lever followed by the M3 x 20mm screw and mounted to the motor
base. The spring is inserted to the two pockets at the lever and base. Push fit for tube is
directly screwed to the base. The extruder mount is attached to the frame by two zip ties, the
motor is placed at the platform and also fixed by zip ties.

Extruder Nem17

Step 17:

Assembly Electronics

1 x Ramps_holder.STL
1 x RAMPs board + Arduino Mega
4 x M3 x 6mm (small head required to fit beside the RAMPs connectors)

The RAMPs holder is simply snapped to the frame from the bottom below the z-limit switch
and extruder corner. The Arduino board is mounted by the four M3 screws to the holder. The
RAMPs board is stacked on top of the Arduino.
RAMPs board holder

Step 18 (optional):

Assembly LCD

1 x LCD_holder_bottom.STL
1 x LCD_holder_side.STL
1 x LCD Smart controller
3 x M3 x 6mm

The holder are mounted by the M3 screws as shown in the picture and attached to the frame
by zip ties at the lower right corner.

LCD smart controller

Step 19:

Wiring up components
Several Cable_Clip.STL
Several Cable_Clip_big.STL
Wires
connectors

The RAMPs board is wired to the motors, switches, fan, hotend, etc. The cable clips can be
used to guide the wires along the frame.
Initial setup

Firmware used for the MicroCube is Marlin 1.1.0 RC7, the configuration.h is provided along
the files as a starting point to get the printer setup quickly. Here are some informations about
the set values for the MicroCube:

Since Arduino Mega with RAMPs is used, Motherboard must be set to:

#ifndef MOTHERBOARD
#define MOTHERBOARD BOARD_RAMPS_14_EFB
#endif

Mechanical settings sections holds the information about the kinematics, in case of the
MicroCube setup following line must be set:

#define COREXY

To match the mechanical setup with 200mm rods, the print area is set to:

#define X_MIN_POS 0
#define Y_MIN_POS 0
#define Z_MIN_POS 0
#define X_MAX_POS 120
#define Y_MAX_POS 115
#define Z_MAX_POS 95

Motor speed settings (28BYJ-48):

#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT {685,685,40758,1000}

#define DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE {30, 30, 0.25, 5}
#define DEFAULT_MAX_ACCELERATION {300,300,1,10}

#define DEFAULT_ACCELERATION 250

#define DEFAULT_RETRACT_ACCELERATION 150
#define DEFAULT_TRAVEL_ACCELERATION 300

#define DEFAULT_XYJERK 5.0 // (mm/sec)

#define DEFAULT_ZJERK 0.01 // (mm/sec)
#define DEFAULT_EJERK 1.0 // (mm/sec)

Motor speed settings (Nema17 version):

#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT {66.5,66.5,40758,96.1}

#define DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE {120, 120, 0.2, 10}
#define DEFAULT_MAX_ACCELERATION {300,300,1,20}
#define DEFAULT_ACCELERATION 250
#define DEFAULT_RETRACT_ACCELERATION 150
#define DEFAULT_TRAVEL_ACCELERATION 300

#define DEFAULT_XYJERK 5.0 // (mm/sec)

#define DEFAULT_ZJERK 0.01 // (mm/sec)
#define DEFAULT_EJERK 1.0 // (mm/sec)