Introduction

The Universal Frame is a frame building system where we start with 6 flat sides and weld them together into a space frame. This is the simplest, lowest cost, highest strength option for producing frames for a machines of sizes from 30 cm to about 5 meters. Period.

Frame pieces can be CNC cut from flat sheet, such as for the 3D printer, or they can be made from heavier flats for large frames.

Downloads

Download cutting file in DXF: File:D3dframe layout.dxf

Download PDF: File:D3dframe.pdf

Design Document

edit

More

There are different options for the D3D frame that have been tested:

CNC cut from flat - then welded or epoxied - works best with welding, second best with epoxy (more difficult)
Welded from flat bar
PVC with Formufit Corners as in D3D Ohio
Aluminum extrusion as in D3D_v18.06.12#CAD

Build Notes

As of D3D v18.09.2 we are using:

CNC cut frames for printers up to 20" sides
1/8"x1" bar stock, welded together
1/8"x2" flat bar for large-scale printers of 1 meter size
Tall printer (2 meter tall with 8" bed) uses 2 frames with 14" sides connected with 1/4"x2" angle for the 8" bed, 2 meter tall printer.
Note that a 12" frame can now achieve full 8" bed motion, with the overslung extruder:

Cost Considerations

Steel for a full steel frame costs between $14 and $150.

CNC cutting a set of frames costs at least $150 for a set of 4 nested frames of decreasing size - or about $40 each. See quotes below. Using Formufit Corners with PVC pipe is an inexpensive option - at $18. Note that the bolt lengths for mounting the axes to the frame must be modified if using PVC.

An even less expensive steel frame (in materials but more in labor) is using flat steel bar stock - 1/8"x1". The stock costs $14, see below. To build a frame:

Cut stock to 13" lengths - 24 of them
Weld 6 sides from these pieces. Note the overlap of corners makes for a 14" square frame
Weld the 6 sides together to form your cubic frame

It is best to make one template side or use a jig to do this welding. You can get a Cheap Wire Feed Welder for $120.

Production Engineering

Note that it is much easier in terms of layup to produce 6 square sides and then weld them together. This is much easier to align than starting with angle and welding angle pieces together. This is becuase making flat sides is working in 2 dimensions. If using angle, you are working in 3 dimensions. It is much easier to align things in 2 dimensions than in 3 dimensions. For this reason - do not use stock angle steel unless you have no other option and can afford the extra time.

Frame from Flats

Hint: Procedure for epoxied frame did not work. If starting from flats, you must do real welding

BOM

30' of 1/8"x1" flats, $13.50 from Sweiger Shop
Self mixing epoxy, 3 tubes at $4 each, $13 total [1]

Procedure

Using 1/8" by 1" flats, here is how you make a frame:

Cut flats to 12"
Clean and grind edges to be glued
Assemble frame over a template
Fix frame to another metal template with magnetic attachment
Glue ends with self-mixing epoxy on both sides

Build

We used the old cnc'd square as a form. On top of the form, I placed a thin layer of plastic cut slightly larger than the square (the plastic prevents the epoxy from sticking our new square-from-flats to the old cnc'd square).

Using the square as a guide, I cut the first flat. Because the flat was slightly shorter than the square, I measured an additional distance of 1/2" past the length of the outer-edge-of-square to the inner-edge-of-sqaure. I marked this with soap stone & cut the first (of four) length of flat.

My first flat was going to be the guide for the other 3x flats in the square, so I got it exactly the right length, then I threw it in a vice, and grinded down the ends. I especially ground down the very end to be fine-ish point (like you would with a knife) so that the epoxy could penetrate more easily between the ends. I repeated this process for the 3x other flast, making sure that each was the same length as the first flat.

When all 4x flats were finished, I put them into the shape of a square ontop of the cnc'd square. The plastic obstructs the view of the cnd'd square underneath, but you can feel the edge & line it up fairly well.

Next, I took the other cnc'd square & put 16x magnents on it. I put 2x magnets on either side of the corners, about 3 finger-widths from the inside. Then I flipped this magnet-laden square over ontop of the other squares to make a square-plastic-flats-square sandwich.

I carefully re-aligned the flats into a square (again, using the bottom-most square as a guide) after the magnet shifted it a bit. After ensuring everything was aligned, I followed the directions on the 60-second epoxy & began adhering the flats into a square.

You really do have to work quick with this quick-set epoxy. I stopped for a second to think about how much epoxy I should be applying, and the epoxy hardened in the tip before my 4th join. So I used 2x tips on the first square.

Then I flipped it over carefully (the magnets on the top part of the sandwich did a great job at keeping everything together), and removed the square + plastic layers of the sandwich (which, after flipping, was now on top).

I changed tips & applied epoxy to the other side of the flats, this time without stopping.

I waited 5 minutes, but the form was clearly not set. Our "Devcon home" 1250 psi epoxy (bought at the local hardware store) says "30-60 second handling time", "2-5 minute set time", and "1 hour cure time". So we waited 1 hour.

After the hour, the form was still not strong. All the joints held, but it was very wobbly. And the epoxy was still soft.

Marcin & I were talking about passing on the epoxy solution, but perhaps continuing with the strips-to-build-a-square solution via welding. Or possibly spot welding so it could be done in a setting such as a library.

For more on this, see D3D_frame_built_with_epoxy

CNC Cut File for Starting from Sheet Steel

Material Usage Notes

Frames can be cut from 5x10 foot sheets - 50 sf - at 20, 18, 16, 14, 12" sizes. 5 usable sets. Advantage of having 3 sizes that fit 12" beds.
Frames can be cut from 4x8 foot sheets - 32 sf - 16, 14, 12 sizes. 3 usable sets. Only one size that fits a 12" bed. Cost is similar.

3-Nested

4-Nested

Cut Request Template

(can use oxyfuel, plasma, laser, or waterjet)

Hello,

Please provide a quote and turnaround time for CNC cutting for the attached file, cut from 4'x8' sheet, 11 gauge.

I need 6 of those nested sets (as shown in the file), which take a total of 32" of a 96" long sheet. I have more notes on this cut job at D3D Frame (below).

Thanks, Marcin

Download

Hint: Last updated November 2018

Download Layout on a 4'x8' sheet of steel: File:D3dframe layout.dxf
Download Single nested frame piece: File:D3dframe.dxf

Notes:

Online Viewer

View online by uploading the above file - http://dwgfastview.gstarcad.net/Flash/choose.html

Cost Estimates for Various Locations and Quantities

Single (One set of frames from a 48"x32" Piece of Sheet Steel

One set of frames nested with 16-14-12-10 inch sides. If all 4 are used - that makes for $40/frame

Chile-
Maine -
Central California - Excelsior America - $325 - talk to Chris
Texas Frame Cutting Quote - $157
USA Missouri - Brian Neal - Seaman and Schuske, St. Joseph Missouri - job cost $150 for cutting of the nested set above.

Multiple (3 Sets of frames Fit on One 4'x8' Sheet of Steel)

2017 - 6 sets of frames, 10 ga, no holes, 4 nesting, Seaman and Schuske, St. Joe, Missouri, USA - $575 - 2017
6 sets of frames, 10 ga, Seaman and Schuske, with holes, 5 nesting 16-14-12-10-8 - $860 with shipping - $36 down to 10". Note price goes up quite a bit once holes are considered - but that is also due to one additional nesting (5 instead of 4).

Order Email

To Fab shops with CNC:

Hi _________,

Please send a quote and delivery time for the attached (File:D3dframe layout.dxf) cut from 4'x8' sheet of mild steel (ASTM 36 standard hot rolled), 12 gauge preferred, and 11 gauge will work as well. The design is meant to be cut with shared lines.

Laser cutting or plasma cutting will work for us. Laser cutting is preferred for a cleaner finish.

I need one full 4'x8' sheet of this - it should fit with 1/4" border around the items.

Thanks,

Marcin

Missouri Response

1

Marcin,

The two sheets of nested frames for the sum of $820.00 plus $40.00 delivery. About a week of lead time for 11GA. 3-4 working days for 10GA or 12GA mild steel.

My laser operator doesn't think warping will be a factor.

I will be on vacation after today for a week so ask for Randy if I'm not here.

Thanks

Brian Neal

Seaman and Schuske Metal Works

1215 S 4th Street

St. Joseph, MO 64501

Phone 816-232-3337

Mobile 816-752-0315

Email bneal@seamanschuske.com

2

Marcin,

Cost to cut the 96x48 sheet of frames (4 nested set) would be $297.00 plus delivery ($40.00).

Would you want the round holes cut, just like the file you sent me?

We should get them out this week if you decide to go with this.