RESTON, VA — 25 brave souls will get the chance to build their own award-winning 3D Printer as part of Nova Labs’ 5th mentored “build group.” Members Brian Briggman, Scott Harris and Robb Stacy are organizing the build.

The launch party was held Monday to a standing-room-only crowd.

Design

The model that will be built will be the T Max 2.0,  an open-source 3D Printer entirely designed and developed at Nova Labs by Brian Briggman.

Deadline for Signup

The signup deadline for this build group is March 3. Once all payments are received the kit parts will be ordered. Kits will be assembled and available for pickup at Nova Labs in the beginning of April. Half of the 25 slots have already been claimed.

Ordering

The kits can now be ordered through 3dsuppli: http://www.3dsuppli.com/store/

Read on for details about cost and options.

Base Cost

The basic “T MAX 2.0” kit comes with everything you need to build a fully functional printer. The base kit starts at $999. Upgrades are available to improve the capabilities of the printer.

Base Model

The base model Includes:

• 24V 15A Power Supply
• Arduino Mega 2560
• RAMPS 1.4 Shield
• 4 4988 Stepper Drivers (X,Y,Z,E)
• 24V Mk2B Heated Bed
• 24V Heater Cartridge
• J-Head MkVB Hot-End with 0.5mm nozzle
• Wiring Kit (with pre-crimped wires for endstops and thermistors)
• GT2 Belts/Pulleys
• Set of 3 mechanical endstops
• Bonus set of 3 Hall Effect endstops
• 5 Stepper Motors (72 oz.in. torque)
• Power Converter Board
• LED Lighting Strips
• Misumi Aluminum Extrusions with choice of color
• ABS Printed Parts with choice of color
• Aluminum Y Carriage (Upper and Lower)
• 8mm Smooth Rods
• 6mm Threaded Rods
• iGus Bearings – self-lubricating, maintenance-free
• Aluminum Shaft Couplers
• Upgraded Wade’s Extruder with Milled Hobbed Bolt
• Spaceloft Aerogel Infused Insulation
• TechFlex Tubing for pretty wiring
• Heatshrink Tubing
• Quick-change Single Axle Spool Mount
• Pre-configured firmware
• Pre-configured slicing profiles
• Full text/photo build guide
• Full video build guide

Base Options

Choice of Aluminum Extrusion Color:

• Black
• Silver

Choice of Printed Parts Color:

• Red
• Green
• Blue
• Yellow
• Orange
• Purple
• Pink
• White
• Black
• Gray

Available Upgrades

All black screws and washers: (+$10.00)
Purely cosmetic, this option covers the increased parts cost for black anodized hardware.

Extra nozzle(s): (+$30.00 each)
The printer comes with a 0.5mm nozzle. This nozzle gives the user the highest reliability and flexibility. Other options include 0.35mm, 0.4mm, and 0.5mm.

Raspberry Pi: (+$60.00)
By default, you can control your printer from the SmartLCD, and then load files either via an SD Card, or with a laptop you supply. This add-on includes a Raspberry Pi with 8GB SD Card, and a Wi-Fi Adapter, allowing you to control and monitor your printer remotely without being tethered to it.

Aluminum HotEnd: (+$70.00)
By default, the basic kit includes a J-Head MkVB hot-end – widely regarded as the most reliable hot-end around. But it is limited to printing at temperatures below 248 Celsius (meaning you can print with PLA, ABS, and any materials that melt below 249 Celsius), and there are now advanced printing materials like Nylon, PolyCarbonate that require higher melting points. This add-on replaces your J-Head with an E3D Aluminum Hot-end with 300k Thermistor.

Filament: (+70.00)
By default, you need to supply your own consumables (filament, bed adhesion, electricity, etc…). This add-on gives you 2 spools of 1.75mm ABS filament in your choice of colors, so you’ll be ready to print as soon as you put your kit together.

7″ Touchscreen: (+$300)
The printer comes with a SmartLCD, a 4 line text display that allows basic control of your printer. The 7″ Touchscreen add-on gives you a 7″ Nexus 7 tablet, with a Qi wireless charger (no cables necessary to recharge the tablet!), and a USB hub so that you don’t run out of USB ports (for the charger and any additional accessories you choose to add at a later date).

Awards

Our design won the editor’s choice award at the 2013 New York Maker Faire!