Wildseyed Simple Hot End

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Revision as of 12:25, 21 August 2011 by Wildseyed (talk | contribs) (Step One - The Aluminum Block)
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Wildseyed Simple Hot End v2

Release status: Working

WildseyedSimpleHotEndv2ProfileView.JPG
Description
Wildseyed Simple Hot End
License
GPL
Author
Contributors
Based-on
[[]]
Categories
CAD Models
External Link

Design Goals

When I began building my first RepRap, I found that many of you were experiencing problems with the hot ends, either because of design flaws, or the difficulty of manufacturing. I then convinced myself that there was plenty of room for improvement. I began with the following goals to guide me:

  • Simple construction with readily available tools and materials
  • Reliability
  • Easy Maintenance
  • Low Cost

Tools Required

  • Drill Press
  • Drill Bits
  • Hack Saw
  • Tap and Die Set
  • Large Pliers or Vice Grips
  • Flat File
  • Caliper
  • Scissors
  • Soldering Iron
  • Barrel Crimp Tool
  • Small Brush or Cotton Swab

Materials Required

  • Aluminum Block - 1" x 1/2" x 1/2" (LxWxH)
  • Brass Coupling - Air Hose Type Female 1/4"
  • Copper MIG Type Welder Tip - 0.025/0.6mm
  • Set Screws - M3x5mm(1), M3x10mm(4)
  • PTFE Rod - 40mm x 1/2" (L x D)
  • Thermistor - 100k, Glass Bead
  • Power Resistor - Aluminum Encased, Dale 5 Ohm 1% 5 Watt
  • Kapton Tape
  • Emergency Tape (degrades with use, so this is being deprecated in favor of more Kapton)
  • Heat Sink Compound
  • Crimp-on barrel connectors - Small
  • Small Alligator clips
  • Insulated Wire - Teflon preffered, but any will do

Assembly in Nine Easy Steps

  1. The Aluminum Block
  2. The Brass Coupling
  3. The MIG Welder Tip
  4. The PTFE Rod
  5. The Thermistor
  6. The Power Resistor
  7. The Wraps
  8. The Mounting
  9. The Connections

Step One - The Aluminum Block

The Aluminum Block

Using a punch, and a 5/16" bit, drill a hole through all, from the top of the aluminum block. The hole should be equi-distant from the three nearest edges. For example, if the block's top dimensions are 1" x 1/2", the the hole should be centered at 1/4" x 1/4". Next, widen the top half of the 5/16" hole using a 7/16" bit. Finally, use a M3 bit to drill a hole for the set screw. Tap threads into it.

Note: When drilling the aluminum block on a drill press, holding the block using pliers will help eliminate troublesome vibrations.

Step Two - The Brass Coupling

The Brass Coupling

Drill down through the small end with a 7/32" bit to widen the opening. Drill down again, but only half way, using a 1/4" bit. This will allow the MIG welder tip to slip onto the coupling freely, but still provide grip when press fit later.

Step Three - The MIG Welder Tip

The MIG Welder Tip

When the small opening of the coupling has been widened, insert the MIG welder tip into the coupling, and place it on a hard, smooth surface, or anvil.

Making sure that the MIG tip and coupling are aligned, use a smooth-faced hammer to tap the MIG tip into the coupling. It should only take three or four strikes to accomplish this step. Observe that the MIG tip hole gets smaller with each hit. Resist the urge to make really tiny holes. This will usually result in a clogged tip.

Once the MIG tip is attached, mount the male coupling in the drill press, and screw the female brass coupling onto it. Using the flat file and drill press, grind away the MIG tip at 45 degrees, until the taper produces a fine tip with a small flat surrounding the extrusion hole.

Step Four - The PTFE Rod

File:ThePTFERod.JPG
The PTFE Rod

Cut the rod to length (40mm - 45mm). Insert into the drill press and drill a 3mm hole through all. While still attached to the drill press

Step Five - The Thermistor

The Thermistor

The thermistor is the most likely cause of failure in any hot end. It is very fragile, and subject to shorts if not installed properly. Careful installation will ensure reliable operation, and accurate temperature measurements.

For this step, you will need a 100k Thermistor, and several lengths of Kapton tape. The goal is to encase the thermistor in several layers of capton tape, to insure that the leeds are insulated and supported, while still exposing as much of the glass bead as possible to direct contact with the heated surface.

On the underside of the aluminum block, place the glass bead of the thermistor against the copper nozzle, making sure that no part of the wires are exposed to bare metal. Hold it in this position, and move on to the next step, where we will attach the power resistor.

Step Six - The Power Resistor

The Power Resistor

Apply a small amount of heat sink compound to the bottom of the power resistor case, and place the resistor against the aluminum block, with the connector ends facing out to either side. While holding the resistor and thermistor in place, begin wrapping the assembly in Kapton (preffered) or silicone tape (also known as rescue tape, and emergency tape). Emergency tape eventually degrades, F.Y.I.

Step Seven - The Wrap

The Wrap

To begin wrapping the block, you begin by cutting a 6 inch piece of the tape into three strips, lengthwise. The narrow strip is easier to handle, and fits well into the nooks.

For the first strip, press the end of the tape against the top of the power resistor, and make at least two complete turns around the block. Allow the connector ends to protrude. Continue wrapping, alternate from side to side. Keep this first layer on the end of the block, so that it covers the edges and corners.

On the second and subsequent turns of the first strip, capture the thermistor, making sure no part of the copper leeds in tape touches any metal edge or corner that has not been yet covered.

The second strip should cover the glass bead, and be wound around both sides of the nozzle.

The third strip should bind the perimeter.

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Step Eight - The Mounting

This hot end has been tested on the standard Wade's Extruder and the Greg's Accessible Wade's. Mounting requires the use of four M3.5 holes, two drilled from either side of the extruder body, into the corners of the 1/2 mounting hole located on the bottom of the extruder body. The standard Wades usually has a bigger hole than the PTFE, but this should not present a problem. The extruder is held clamped in this hole using four M4x8mm set screws.

Proper alignment requires that a piece of filament be placed through the extruder body, and into the PTFE tube while the set screws are being tightened evenly 1/2 turn at a time. Once the PTFE tube is secure, check the filament. It should move freely, or with very little force. If it binds hard at all, insert a 3mm drill bit and turn by hand to remove excess material from the tube. Be sure to remove all material, or you will clog the tip.

Step Nine - The Connections

Connection of the power resistor uses two small copper alligator clips, attached and soldered to a 24 inch set of leads. Likewise, the thermistor is crimped to lengths of wire using small barrel connectors. Insulate these with shrink tubing. (pictures coming)