Extruder development
collaboration page for ideas on new extruder development, started for the Atlanta area hackerspace freesideatl.
Contents
Major Models For Comparison
Mendel Stepper Extruder
Wades Geared NEMA 17 Extruder
Current issues
Filament Drive
idea bucket
- Try different material for gripping filament such as sugru / oogoo
- Make the filament visible until it enters the hot end.
- Add a rotary encoder to the idler wheel to detect if the filament is advancing. http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9117
- hinge the idler idler block and add the tension on the outside of the block instead of through it so it can be easily removed.
- make it easier to replace the hot end.
- make the mounting to the printer easier, try a gravity mount, or hold in place with paper clamps
Hot End
idea bucket
- make it easier to remove from filament drive.
- remove PTFE, don't use any melting parts.
- try make a combo heater block/nozzle
- try various cheap and off the shelf heatsinks like the copper pipe cap.
