Probe — an adjustable frame for the Hangprinter

Probe is an adjustable, transportable frame for the Hangprinter, an open-source, cable-driven 3D printer. The original printer attaches to a ceiling and anchors near floor level. I designed Probe to make the setup easier to relocate and use without a dedicated room.

2018
My role: Frame design, 3D modeling, printing and prototyping
With assistance from Matevž Komočar | Based on The Hangprinter, developed by Torbjørn Ludvigsen
Overall visualization of the adjustable Probe frame
The assembled Probe frame with the Hangprinter hardware and glass print bed

The frame was exhibited at Metropolia's Arabia campus during Helsinki Design Week, September 7–16, 2018.

A frame built from accessible components

The structure combines square aluminum profiles, 3D-printed joints, a wooden base and a glass print bed one meter in diameter. It was designed to be built using a conventional desktop 3D printer and basic tools. The legs extend to a height of approximately 3.5 meters.

Overall visualization showing the lower triangular support structure
Visualization of the upper plate, telescopic legs and printed joints
Visualization of the articulated foot and print-bed support joint

Building and assembly

Aluminum profiles and printed end joints during assembly
Assembly of the radial supports below the print bed
Assembled lower frame and circular glass print bed
Cable spools, motors and wiring mounted beneath the top plate
Assembly and adjustment of the suspended printhead and cables

Background

My interest in 3D printing began in 2005, when I attended a demonstration by HAW Hamburg as part of the Night of the Museums event.

My curiosity eventually led me to the RepRap movement and the world of open-source 3D printers. In 2015, I chose to build Nophead's Mendel90, one of the best-reviewed designs I found at the time. Building it from scratch gave me a practical understanding of the machine and the printing process.

Discovering the Hangprinter later opened up a new direction: exploring how cable-driven printing could work at a much larger scale.

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