DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF 3D PRINTER

This paper presents the design and development of a low-cost, modular 3D printer utilizing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes as the primary structural framework. The use of PVC pipes, selected for their affordability, ease of procurement, and mechanical stability, enables a customizable and scalable printer architecture suitable for various build volumes. The mechanical structure is integrated with standard additive manufacturing components, including NEMA 17 stepper motors, lead screw or belt-driven linear motion systems, a hot end with thermistor and heating element, and open-source control electronics such as the RAMPS 1.4 board coupled with Marlin firmware. The PVC-based frame provides adequate rigidity for low- to medium-precision fused deposition modeling (FDM), while significantly reducing material costs compared to conventional metal or aluminum extrusion frames. This work demonstrates that PVC can serve as a viable structural material in entry-level 3D printer designs, offering an accessible platform for technical education, rapid prototyping, and experimental research in digital fabrication. The system’s performance, limitations, and potential improvements are discussed, with a focus on its application in resource-constrained environments and STEM education.