An open-source electronic discharge machine (EDM) has launched on Kickstarter – and looks very promising.
Rack Robotics’ Powercore is described as a “self-contained EDM power supply” that uses sparks to cut away solid pieces of aluminum (or other metals with low melting points) and leave behind a finished part. Users attach the power supply to their 3D printers by swapping out a hot end and plugging in three plugs. There are also several components that will need to be 3D printed to convert users’ printers, as well as a few optional accessories, which use the modular Gridfinity standard for organization. All parts and accessories are available for free download on Rack Robotics’ Printables page.
Central to the Powercore’s USP is its open-source nature. The machine’s control board contains a Raspberry Pi Pico, an ACS12 current sensor, internal temperature sensors, and eight exposed GPIO pins; meaning it can be customized and modded. Complete source code for the Powercore will also be made available after its release.
Whether there’s a sustainable market for a machine like the Powercore is yet to be seen. The excitement, however, is clearly there. At the time of this writing, the Powercore has earned more than $100,000 of its $5,000 goal, with 23 days of the campaign left to go.
Backers can now pledge $399 or more for the “Launch Day Powercore” package, which nets them a Powercore, 10 brass electrodes, 10 pieces of aluminum stock, two electrode holder kits, and a work holding kit. Other packages were available, for $299 and $499 respectively, but have been fully backed.
The standard Kickstarter word of caution applies here (promises, promises) so keep that in mind when opening your wallet. It should also be noted that the Powercore only ships to the United States, with an estimated July delivery date.
Check out the Powercore’s Kickstarter page for a full write-up or to make a pledge.
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License: The text of "Rack Robotics’ ‘Powercore’ Could Make Desktop EDM Affordable" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.