Prototyping / R&D

As the RRRF has shifted to a primarily R&D oriented organization, we want to make our resources available to the community in a simple, logical way. This page is an attempt at laying out the capabilities the RRRF possesses so that potential collaborators will know what is and isn’t possible.

What We Can Do For You:

  • Take your prototype design and turn it into a real physical object you can use to test.
  • Distribute your prototype to other interested researchers at low cost.

Rules / Requirements

  • You must release your work under the GPL or compatible license.
  • It must be RepRap related.
  • It must be something the RRRF is capable of achieving.

PCB Fabrication
The RRRF has overseen the production of over 40 different PCB designs. We have a reliable supplier who works well with us, as well as the knowledge and skills to go from a PCB design to a real board. We can handle pretty much any PCB design you throw at us, although we prefer boards designed in Eagle PCB. If you design in a different CAD program, you will be responsible for generating the Gerber and drill files for your board.

Laser Cutting
The RRRF has access to an Epilog Mini 12″ x 24″ 35W laser. It is capable of cutting up to 1/4″ organic materials such as wood, acrylic, etc. Drawings should be made in a vector format, preferably DXF or SVG. We highly recommend a program such as QCad.

3D Printing
We have RepRap and MakerBot machines, and are continuously improving our 3D printing capabilities. If you have a RepRap related part that you would like to have printed, get in contact with us and we will do our best to print it out. The ideal format for files to be printed is STL.

Machining Services
We have a reliable machinist that is interested in the RepRap project who is very capable. If you have a prototype design that absolutely must be machined, and you do not have access to the tools to make it happen, we may be able to help you.

How do you get involved?
If you have a design that meets the criteria and would like to have us make it for you, please contact the director of the Foundation, Zach Hoeken who will assist you in taking the next steps. We’ll try our best to make every single design, but keep in mind that there are no guarantees as the RRRF resources are fairly limited.

Cheers!

6 Responses to “Prototyping / R&D”

  1. RepRap Research Foundation » New R&D / Prototyping Service!, on March 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm Said:

    [...] you can read all about it over on the RRRF info page. Essentially, we’re can help RepRap developers improve the RepRap project by covering the [...]

  2. Samuel, on March 23rd, 2009 at 5:38 pm Said:

    Do you have any recommended FOSS alternatives to Eagle PCB and QCad?

  3. John, on March 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm Said:

    I’m working on designing a small reprap machine, and I may need to brackets printed up. How much does each of these R&D aids cost?

  4. fenn, on April 5th, 2009 at 9:40 am Said:

    er.. that should be http://qcadbin-win.sf.net/

  5. Andrew Cady, on April 12th, 2009 at 2:24 pm Said:

    I’m wondering if you know of any similar services available for non-reprap open source design.

  6. Fahrzin Hemmati, on May 10th, 2009 at 10:07 pm Said:

    I’ve been using KiCad for a few projects and it’s very, very good. Once you know the keyboard shortcuts, you can do almost anything in minutes. You can make your own parts easily and Wings3D can be used to add a 3D representation of them, then view your circuit board as if you already made it!

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