Direct Drive Bowden Minimalist Extruder

thingiverse

The enhanced version of this extruder is available here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:260558. It's perfect for use in direct drive Bowden setups, featuring a hole for easy push fit connector installation. I experienced issues with compression spring-based extruders that would eventually lose tension and malfunction. Thus, I developed an extruder inspired by Joe Chung's remake of Whosawhatsis' minimalist extruder but incorporating a screw instead of a spring. To ensure flexibility for potential low diameter filaments, I used an M4 screw to apply tension, combined with a 5-6mm thick rubber piece cut from a hardware store plug. An M3 washer is necessary between the screw end and rubber to prevent digging. This extruder works well with my mounting bracket designed for Cerberus (Rostock style) printers found here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:159478, or can be directly mounted onto aluminum extrusions using appropriate T-Slot nuts. **Instructions: 1. Use a 12mm M3 screw to secure a 623 bearing (M3 self-taps). 2. Before inserting the push-fit connector, tap the designated hole with an M5 screw.