D3D Paper Feed Mechanism

Basics

• A Module that can be added to a D3D Printer / D3D Univeral or similar device
• Allows for feeding standard paper into the "print bed", temporary clamping of it, then "ejection" of the printed sheet into a bin
• Perhaps a large format design with a roll of large paper, and a cutting device
• Main use case would be documents, design papers, and the most likely large format posters
• This would most likely not work well for pictures etc, but for basic text and designs it should work great
• Thus a the machine can make basic printed pages, using standard pens/markers, or perhaps even diy ink and/or paper allowing for VERY low cost prints (especially for large format as these printers tend to have high cost and store prints also have a high cost (granted this may be for the inkjet based ones, industrial cnc plotters may be cheaper)

Industry Standards

• Dissect a standard printer's feed mechanism/look for info on this

Existing Open Source Designs

• A VERY basic design for a paper cutter, seemed to only use one roller
• A Device using lego mindstorms, mechanism unclear
• An intresting device that uses essentially scaled down sheet metal forming methods to fold and throw a paper airplane. Main takeaway is the roller mechanism seemed to be 1 active roller and a few ~3? passive rollers, simple enough.

Minimum Viable Product

• Two Versions
  • Standard Letter Paper (And perhaps small picture paper) version
  • Large Format Roll Version
• Additional Option of Pen Swapper (Motor on tightening mechanism, and a carousel of pens?)

Basic Desing

Movement System

• Either a standard D3D printer device (D3D Pro, D3D Universal, etc) or a 2d optimized build (like a cnc router etc, little z axis due to need)

Pen Holder

• See Open Source Pen Holder Toolhead
• Add a motor tightening mechanism for multi marker/pen/color option

Pen Carousel

• A Simple Stepper Motor and a 3D Printed Disk With Positions at regular intervals of various pens and markers etc
• Could allow for:
  • Multiple Colors
  • Multiple Line Thicnknesses
  • A Ridiculous Copic Marker Color Based System
  • also could have adhesive sticks, folding tools, and drag knifes, but this would likely be a different machine

Holding Mechanism

• Two Bars on each side apply pressure to the edge (withing standard margins? )
• 1 motor and a belt/gear system to syncronise them, or two electronically synced motors

Feed + Ejection Mechanism

• 1 Active Roller (Can a standard dc motor be used, ie no need for precision stepper/servo etc)
• Passive rollers for stability (above and below, but how many
• Keep the sides at a close distance/tolerance to act as "guide rails"
• Perhaps similar mechanism for ejection?

Ramp + Bin

• 3D Printed Ramp attaches to edge of printer
• Leads into either a 3D printed, or standard plastic bin