I finally figured out the work envelope. Each arm can drive the extruder from 3.568" to 15.259". If you do an intersection of the allowable zone for each arm you get this.
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The usuable envelope that sticks above the build plate is roughly a Reuleaux Tetrahedron. The tip is 8.5" above the base. The footprint on the build platform has a Reuleaux Triangle shape where the inscribed triangle would have a side length of 14.5". The volume of the envelope is 600 cubic inches with no chance of the arm hitting a part that I can see. For reference, an 8" cube has a volume of 512 cubic inches. I personally think that this work envelope is great. You can do super wide parts and super tall parts. There is 140 square inches of build area. That is at least twice as big as most other RepRap machines.
I am so glad I did this. As you can see, most of the envelope is below the printer. I can make pylons for the corners if I would like an extra tall work envelope. I won't do the pylon idea yet because the main motivation is to make this cheap and portable with a low center of gravity. It is nice to know that I will be able to compete with Rostock on the height front if I want to. I think most people need wider more often than they need taller.
Update: I am getting lots of boxes. By Tuesday, I should have everything that is needed for a motion test.
The usuable envelope that sticks above the build plate is roughly a Reuleaux Tetrahedron. The tip is 8.5" above the base. The footprint on the build platform has a Reuleaux Triangle shape where the inscribed triangle would have a side length of 14.5". The volume of the envelope is 600 cubic inches with no chance of the arm hitting a part that I can see. For reference, an 8" cube has a volume of 512 cubic inches. I personally think that this work envelope is great. You can do super wide parts and super tall parts. There is 140 square inches of build area. That is at least twice as big as most other RepRap machines.
I am so glad I did this. As you can see, most of the envelope is below the printer. I can make pylons for the corners if I would like an extra tall work envelope. I won't do the pylon idea yet because the main motivation is to make this cheap and portable with a low center of gravity. It is nice to know that I will be able to compete with Rostock on the height front if I want to. I think most people need wider more often than they need taller.
Update: I am getting lots of boxes. By Tuesday, I should have everything that is needed for a motion test.