Suggestions for mounting the extruder in a bowden setup please

Hello All

I am considering moving to a Bowden extruder as my maximum z height is currently 65mm. If I was to relocate the extruder using a Bowden cable to feed the hot end I would get much more (at least doubling my z height).

I wonder if those that have moved to a bowden setup could suggest ways of securing the extruder and maybe even attach photos of these setups.

I have an Adrian's extruder.

Thanks

Hi, I'm just getting to the point in my build where I'm looking at this too - my extruder would limit movement far to much if mounted above the hot end.
If you haven't seen it already, there is a wiki page here with some useful links: [www.reprap.org]
The Huxley reprap seems to employ a Bowden cable, and on the wiki page there is a link to the German Reprap foundation page selling PTFE tubing here: [shop.grrf.de]
This is specified as 1/8" ID x 3/16" OD or Internal Diameter: 3.2mm, External Diameter: 4.72mm metric. This should mean that an M5 nut can be screwed on to the tube, and some clamp arrangement holds it down at each end. The wiki page above has links to various thingiverse items that can act as clamps. I'm probably going to order some PT1/8x3/16 tubing from Adtech in the next couple of days, along with PTFE tubing I need for my hot end. There is a thicker-walled tube option, 3.2mm ID by 6.4mm OD, though I don't know if there would be any advantage to using it. [www.adtech.co.uk]
I have also seen a comment recently about someone using a bicycle brake line, but I think they were using 1.75mm filament, whereas the above is suited to 3mm.
I have seen some extruders mounted on the edge of the reprap, and some clamped to the table next to it. I'm going to try and keep the tube as short as possible, while minimising the bend as the X-axis moves. Of course, this is all theoretical at the moment!

Many Huxley machines have the extruder bolted to the side of the frame, but Mendel should allow you to mount in on the top of the machine, this way you only get a short tube with a simple 90 degree bend, I have a similar configuration on my repstrap.

Try to keep the tube less than 40cm.

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[richrap.blogspot.com]

I am currently setting up the first bowden setup of the new printrbot plus v2. I would have attached some pics to the post but my tablet is acting funny so you can go to this address to see pics and info on my custom bowden setup that will soon be a dual extruder and then triple setup. [reprapsquad.wordpress.com]

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[RepRapLab.wordpress.com]

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This is mine:

[www.thingiverse.com]

For now, the extruder is sitting beside it. I would like to get it over the printer to shorten the tube.

Maybe an 8-inch c-clamp on the table:

[www.harborfreight.com]

And then clamp the extruder to that.

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[www.matter-replicator.com]

[www.amazon.com]

[www.amazon.com]

[www.amazon.com]

This one has a spool holder built in:

[www.amazon.com]

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[www.matter-replicator.com]

Maybe a spool would sit right on this:

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[www.matter-replicator.com]

here's a quick pic of my setup. So far the location of my bowden extruder works well. I also have a bowden tube from the spool to the extruder and from the extruder to the hotend. eventually it will have a double and then triple bowden.

---

--------------| For Everything |--------------------------
Check it out here:
[reprapsquad.wordpress.com].
---------| For Everything Prototype Related |------
Now featuring comp case mods:
[RepRapLab.wordpress.com]

--------------| Find us at Twitter|------------------------
@REPRAPSQUAD (RS Main)
[mobile.twitter.com]
@REPRAPSQUADHQ (ProtoLab)
[mobile.twitter.com]

[www.amazon.com]

I plan to mount my extruder on this arm, above the printer, to keep the Bowden tube as short as possible (for better feeding and fewer retraction problems).

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[www.matter-replicator.com]

Heres some better pics of my bowden setup. @rsilvers. Nice setup. I like the moniter mount. Im assuming thats for your spool mount.

The red light on my bowden extruder means that the hot end is on and coming up to temp. The blue lights come on whenthey are at that pre determined temp. I plan on also having a similar setup for the heated bed.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2013 02:37PM by REPRAP SQUAD.

---

--------------| For Everything |--------------------------
Check it out here:
[reprapsquad.wordpress.com].
---------| For Everything Prototype Related |------
Now featuring comp case mods:
[RepRapLab.wordpress.com]

--------------| Find us at Twitter|------------------------
@REPRAPSQUAD (RS Main)
[mobile.twitter.com]
@REPRAPSQUADHQ (ProtoLab)
[mobile.twitter.com]

The monitor arm is for mounting the extruder.

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[www.matter-replicator.com]

Gotcha awesome. I like your add ons, like me you always think outside the box.

---

--------------| For Everything |--------------------------
Check it out here:
[reprapsquad.wordpress.com].
---------| For Everything Prototype Related |------
Now featuring comp case mods:
[RepRapLab.wordpress.com]

--------------| Find us at Twitter|------------------------
@REPRAPSQUAD (RS Main)
[mobile.twitter.com]
@REPRAPSQUADHQ (ProtoLab)
[mobile.twitter.com]