Ramps 1.4 Quad Extruder

Hello,

I am looking at getting the E3D 'Kraken' Quad extruder for my printer.

I would have to upgrade my Sanguinololu board so something much better! I have found a nice deal on a Ramps 1.4 Board, but that can only handle 2 Extruders.

I am sure I have seen somewhere an Extruder Expansion board, but I cannot find it anywhere!

Does anyone know of one of these boards and if it is compatible with Ramps?

Thanks, ayouden

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I have been working on an expansion board, still under development. There hasn't been much interest, so it hasn't been a priority.

RepRapPro also have an expansion board for their Duet controller, they seem to work in secret nowadays so I don't know much about it.

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Daum, thats a shame.

[www.reprappro.com]

How do they use 3 extruders on this model, what kind of electronics?

Thanks

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They use a second Melzi board running as a slave, which wasn't too successful or cost effective I think.

Another mention is the Decapede, not sure what the state of that is though.

Another factor might which firmwares support 4 extruders, and what will they run on.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2014 12:15PM by bobc.

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Well, by sounds of it a Quad extruder is a bit far fetched at the moment.

I am sure within 6-12months 4 extruders will be as easy to operate as dual extruders.

Thanks anyway

I'm actually building a quad extruder setup based off of the Printrboard with LoboCNCs closed loop stepper add on that was recently developed. The Printrboard with the daughter board runs 3 extruders and the fourth is ran off of the closed loop stepper add on. It's taken us a little while but we are getting closer to getting everything operational. We've been delayed primarily due to slow part orders and back order on some parts. I think that this is the best way to do it as the first 3 extruders are already operational. Just have to finish the 4th and decide mounting order. Soon we will be adding info to our page with the link located below.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2014 03:52PM by REPRAP SQUAD.

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im working on making an extruder that uses only two stepper and n outputs. one stepper will drive the filament the other will move the idlers into place and select the filament. it will be laser cuttable or 3d printable. i think this method is the best because it will work on any board that can use 5 steppers. it could even use a strong servo to move the idlers if you dont want to use a second stepper motor. if you want some details pm me im not quite finished yet but i should be done fairly soon.

@bobc the Duet expansion board source files are on github:

[github.com]

Its a collaboration between Think3DPrint3D, RepRapPro and others, not meant to be a secret, just did not document every step on the forum.

@ayouden

I am working with a Kraken right now and will blog about it once I have a chance!

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I heard the e3d people were working on a cam system, such that all 4 hot ends are controlled by a drive motor and a select motor. Then even a RAMPS1.4 will be able to control all 4 nozzles.
Here's a kickstarter project with something like that: [www.kickstarter.com]

Hey Aduy, do you have any new updates on your quad extruder design? I also think a drive / selector combo would be the best way forward to save weight and complexity in electronics.

I've found the Coherent extruder which looks great, my suggestion was to also switch the connections of the thermistor and heater mechanically at the same time with the filament selection. So you completely switch between different hot ends with the select motor.

I purchased a couple of stepper driver carrier expansion boards from RepRapWorld for the purpose of expanding the number of E axis available for developing Duo and Trifecta Flex3Drives

Its a small board that supports a stepper driver, requires power and enable pin. My thinking was to configure additional pins as Stepper Enables and go from there. Ive had a look about and havent found anything that prevents this from being a workable solution within a reasonable budget but will oof course be a bit of a hack as opposed to bespoke intended solution

Hope this helps, or if anyone knows why this wouldnt work, do please advise

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2014 10:18PM by Mutley3D.

Doesnt one of the Azteeg boards have 8 driver slots?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/2014 12:19AM by sungod3k.