This method keeps the wire constantly taught, and any slack will be worked out.

In the system that I observed, the ends of the wire were secured with a spring-tensioner type system. I am already in development of this system for my next Prusa, I only ask if any of you know of anyone who has attempted this method to provide a link It also seems to me that the RepRap Prusa is becoming a wonderful development platform for all the new design innovations, as such the cable double pulley system will be built with that in mind. Basically my goal is to help design a machine in such a way that any non-printable parts can be purchased at any common hardware store. I feel a more practical goal is to produce a machine with a minimum of SPECIALIZED parts. Obviously however, there are many components that are very difficult to produce with a 3D printer. The basic concept behind RepRap is a self replicating machine. The only thing necessary now is an adaptation into a RepRap machine. I have seen this system working in a production machine on a small scale. There was another RepRapper who created a wonderful similar double pulley design that used belts. The other key feature of this machine was a double pulley system on the carriage itself. This wire rope was wound onto a large spool with grooves to hold the cable in place. The basic idea is that instead of toothed belts, wire rope was used instead. Now granted, they lacked the support necessary to support the extruder/heater assembly but the proof of concept was amazing.

The pick and place machines we produced were a perfect 3 axis cartesian coordinate system. It was the manner and approach that they were used that had a profound effect on me. Now I will confess I was slightly turned on at the sight of hundreds of brand new NEMA 17 motors we would purchase One device that we produced seriously caught my attention, it was a test tube pick and place device. This idea came to me while working my previous job at a machine shop. I figure I'd post this to see if someone else had already tried this approach. So this is a concept I've been going over in my head for quite a while now.

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