Quick Change Extruder

I just ordered my new E3D volcano and I want to add some quick change electrical connectors so I can swap extruders easily.

Id like to put heater, PT100 temp sensor, extruder fan, and print fan all in one connection. Thats 8 pins in total.

Initial thoughts are a D sub connector, but they look quite big and bulky.

What are other people using for their quick change extruder connectors?

One of my printers uses Molex KK connectors, with a PCB on the hot end to mount the connectors and some other things.



The other uses an in-line connector, also by Molex:



With a PT100, you need to be careful to keep the resistance of the connections very low, to avoid over-reading the temperature.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2016 02:07PM by dc42.

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Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].

Thanks DC42

The connector on your second pic looks like the sort of thing Im after.

Is that one of the mico fit 3.0 connectors?
[www.molex.com]

I find the number of molex connectors pretty baffling!

Thanks DC42

The connector on your second pic looks like the sort of thing Im after.

Is that one of the mico fit 3.0 connectors?
[www.molex.com]

I find the number of molex connectors pretty baffling!

Quote
Andy1989
Thanks DC42

The connector on your second pic looks like the sort of thing Im after.

Is that one of the mico fit 3.0 connectors?
[www.molex.com]

I find the number of molex connectors pretty baffling!

Yes, that's the one. Unfortunately, once the pins are inserted, they are impossible to remove unless you have the pin removal tool - whereas with the KK series it is easy to remove the crimp pins.

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Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].

I'm using the 2 and 4 pin versions of these locking connectors:

[www.ebay.ca]

They are dirt cheap and work well. A single 8 way connector is a little tidier, but it doesn't take a whole lot of time to unclip two or three connectors.

Quote
dc42

Quote
Andy1989
Thanks DC42

The connector on your second pic looks like the sort of thing Im after.

Is that one of the mico fit 3.0 connectors?
[www.molex.com]

I find the number of molex connectors pretty baffling!

Yes, that's the one. Unfortunately, once the pins are inserted, they are impossible to remove unless you have the pin removal tool - whereas with the KK series it is easy to remove the crimp pins.

Another machination to sell an expensive tool. I have these coming and was told an exacto blade will suffice as a removal tool.
But here is a nice adventure to embark on:
Take sheet steel parts like those used in air ducting or that thickness. Cut out the shape you want and make sure it is flat or what ever bend you want. Use a propane torch to heat it read hot or set it on an oven burner to ensure the shape lights up red. Wear goggles. Then drop it in a pool of salt water, 1 rounded table spoon to 1 cup water. when it cools you get a spring steel tool. I made a set of lock picks one time this way.