LUCAS extruder version 2

thingiverse

EDIT 23/09/2014 --- I've uploaded a fresh version of my 2.01 firmware with minor tweaks and I'm removing the "work-in-progress" label, given the overwhelming positive feedback I've received so far. People are clearly happy with how this project is shaping up. In my own experience, swapping and replacing hotends for maintenance has become an absolute breeze, resulting in much less cussing on my part lately. One thing I still need to do is write a detailed step-by-step guide and compile an exhaustive hardware list, but time's flying and I'm genuinely sorry if this takes priority over responding promptly to your private messages. --- Here's the brand-new iteration of my "universal" extruder (the first one can be found at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:378330). After its initial success, I figured it was high time for an upgrade and attempted to iron out a few issues: • This new version mounts directly onto the X-carriage, doing away with the need for a separate table; reattaching the extruder is a cinch now; • It requires fewer components, making the printing process faster and reducing material waste in the process; • Without the table sides, there's more room to customize the design – think fans, fan ducts, servos and whatever else you can imagine; • I've tweaked the gear positioning to improve balance, keeping gears more within user-friendly range; • Cable management's been overhauled as well: there's plenty of clearance for your servo, extruder, and fan wires between the extruder and the x-carriage. A specific type of gear is needed though: tiny bolt gears to avoid jamming with the hotend adapter. Lastly, I haven't perfected a fan duct holder that would hold its ground yet. In regards to probing with the hotend as part of an automated bed levelling system - for now, we'll save it for another time. It's essential to remember this upgrade builds on the existing project, which will continue running alongside (although we might phase out version 1 eventually, seeing how significantly improved this one has turned out). To all those kind souls who chipped in with fantastic ideas and tips along the way - especially Thiago Peixoto http://www.thingiverse.com/thiagopeixoto16/about from reprapbr - thank you a million! A big thumbs up! A teaser for the updated design can be found at: http://youtu.be/Slvnd0vNulA