ExtruderImprovementsAndAlternatives
Contents
Extruder improvements and alternatives
Under construction.
Direct drive.
This is a replacement for the flexible drive. It is simpler, and less likely to wear out. Its only disadvantage is that it does not allow the working material a straight run down the extruder - it has to bend. For most working polymers introducing a shallow bend as they enter the extruder is not a problem.
You will need a different motor coupling to the standard one. The design for this is in the motor-coupling.aoi file, called motor-coupling-direct-drive. Export this as an STL and print it.
The M6 screw drive is also simpler to make, though it is longer. The reduced diameter bearing lands are in exactly the same arrangement as for the standard extruder, but there is no need to drill an end hole nor to make a separate short section to hold the drive nuts. The drive screw needs to be 96 mm long.
Solder two M6 nuts on the end, taking care to align their flats. Clean all grease and oxide from the screw threads and nuts, apply a thin film of solder flux, screw the nuts in place, then heat gently with a blow torch. Use ordinary electronic solder.
Closed loop.
Locked clutch
Spacers at the top, very strong springs at the bottom, e.g.1.5mm x 9mm x 25mm.
Sharpened thread.
Pipe clip on the PTFE.
Cerastil or some other replacement for the JB-Weld.
-- Main.AdrianBowyer - 12 Jul 2008
