For questions specifically about P3Steel printers (Versions 1, 2.0, 2.01, 2.5 and 4.0 and any further versions and/or derivations using steel as a base material for the frame). This tag is not to be used for general questions about the Prusa i3 or Prusa i3 derivatives. These printers have their own tag.
For questions specifically about P3Steel printers (Versions 1, 2.0, 2.01, 2.5 and 4.0 and any further versions and/or derivations using steel as a base material for the frame).
This tag is not to be used for general questions about the Prusa i3 or Prusa i3 derivatives. Questions about prusa-i3, prusa-mendal and prusa-i3-rework printers, in general, have their own tags.
The P3Steel is a redesign of the Prusa i3, but which uses (normally 3 mm thick, laser cut) steel, as opposed to acrylic or aluminium, to form the frame.
From RepRapWiki - P3Steel
The P3Steel is a remix of Twelvepro's redesign of Josef Prusa's i3.
Leonardo - the prototype P3Steel printer - was designed and built by Irobri in April 2013, after attending a local Maker show in Zaragoza, Spain.
The main frame structure, built from laser-cut 3mm steel, is extremely strong and simple to assemble, and eliminates the need for several printed parts due to the use of steel parts instead of threaded rods for the "Y" subframe (as in the original Prusa i3 and many of its variants).
Advantages
As a construction material, steels holds several advantages over the other materials commonly used for Prusa i3 derivatives (such as wood, acrylic and aluminium):
The most important is its strength and rigidity. It is also cheaper and easier to cut than aluminium.
Its weight can also be considered an advantage, as it can make the printer more sturdy and stable. Indeed, weight can be further reduced by cutting out a number of carvings. These carvings can, then, provide points at which additional components can be mounted.
Disadvantages
There are a few, minor, disadvantages:
It is the heaviest of the commonly used construction materials, although, the difference between an aluminum frame and a comparable steel frame is not that much (around 2.5kg extra).
Carbon steel requires galvanisation or painting. However, stainless steel does not.
Other points
Again, from RepRapWiki - P3Steel:
All square holes and tabs have special rounded corners for accommodating corresponding parts and give a very good fit between parts.
The design has slots for M3 nuts in the places where the screws fit so no threading is required.
Versions
There are number of different versions of the P3Steel:
- 1.0
- 2.0
- 2.0.1
- 2.5
- 4.0
For further details about each version, see Frame versions.
