E3D Adapter for Velleman K8200 with K8203 Direct Drive

thingiverse

The E3D V6 upgrade for my printer has been a game-changer. I initially tried using the K8203 Direct Drive Extruder kit with PLA and was pleased with its performance. However, when switching to ABS, the hot end jammed frequently. To resolve this issue, I replaced the hot end with an E3D V6. Mounting the E3D V6 onto the K8203 Direct Drive extruder requires a simple adapter and two #4x3/8 sheet metal screws. It's essential to note that while the top of the E3D may not get extremely hot, I recommend printing this adapter in ABS to prevent any deformation or melting during use. To ensure proper installation, I enlarged the passthrough hole on the K8203 aluminum mounting bracket with a 1/2" drill bit. This modification provides sufficient clearance for the black ferule that secures the PTFE tube in place. I left about 5mm of PTFE above the hot end to guide the filament through the system. Proper alignment of the hot end with the extruder gear is crucial, so I recommend inserting a short length of filament between the drive and the hot end during installation to ensure accurate positioning of the top of the PTFE tube.