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Project:Cupcake-o-Matic: Difference between revisions
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→A Better Extruder
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These improvements took the form of the [http://reprap.org/wiki/Wade%27s_Geared_Extruder Wade's Geared Extruder], a simplified version of [http://reprap.org/wiki/Geared_Nema17_Extruder_Driver Adrian's Geared Extruder]. The Wade's extruder is notable for its use of a single mounting block, a stepper motor, two gears and an idler assembly. The gears drive a 'Hobbed' bolt, this is a bolt where a thread has been cut across the bolt's circumference. The thread grips the filament but does not cut into it unnecessarily. | These improvements took the form of the [http://reprap.org/wiki/Wade%27s_Geared_Extruder Wade's Geared Extruder], a simplified version of [http://reprap.org/wiki/Geared_Nema17_Extruder_Driver Adrian's Geared Extruder]. The Wade's extruder is notable for its use of a single mounting block, a stepper motor, two gears and an idler assembly. The gears drive a 'Hobbed' bolt, this is a bolt where a thread has been cut across the bolt's circumference. The thread grips the filament but does not cut into it unnecessarily. | ||
[http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8252 Greg's Hinged Accessible Extruder] | When I managed to get my MK4 working I printed out, among others, a [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8252 Greg's Hinged Accessible Extruder] as I wanted the best extruder. I was unsure as to what hot end I would end up with so ended up removing that part of the SCAD code. This probably wasn't my best idea as it makes mounting the Cupcake hot end very difficult and I've had to use some long M4 bolts and a piece of laser cut 3mm MDF to clamp it in place. This bodge, to be kind, can be seen in the image to the right. | ||
I'm hoping this bodge will last long enough for me to print an improved extruder, perhaps the latest modified Greg's but with mounting options for the 16mm diameter Cupcake hot end. Alternatively I will have to hope some one will take pity on me and print me a new one. :D | |||
I'd also like to alter my hot end, at the moment it consists of the MK4 hotend but instead of nichrome wire wrapped around the brass barrel/nozzle I've added an aluminium heater block. This is a 20x20x10mm block of milled aluminium with a 5.6 ohm 2 Watt vitreous enamel resistor mounted inside. The thermistor is trapped on the outside with a small M3 washer screw. I'd love to reduce the amount of metal on my hot end and just use a nozzle mounted directly into the PTFE heat barrier and go back to using nichrome wire. This would let it heat up much faster but it would mean that it would need to be carefully controlled whilst extruding as it would lose heat much more easily. Alternatively I could use a [http://reprap.org/wiki/J_Head_Nozzle J-Head Nozzle] hot end, these are popular due to their high reliability, unfortunately they can cost up to £50 which is a lot for something so small. | |||
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==The Present== | ==The Present== | ||
However after all these modifications I must still get this printer working and am currently attempting to tune this configuration into a working printer. | However after all these modifications I must still get this printer working and am currently attempting to tune this configuration into a working printer. | ||
