PseudoBot Filament Extruder

thingiverse

Exploring http://www.extrusionbot.com, I was inspired to create a custom extruder. The auger barrel is made from 304 SS tubing with single-point threaded bottom end and coupled with a feed tube through cupping and welding. A "Jennings Pattern" screw bit serves as the auger, which had to be trued on a lathe for an 8mm shaft collar fitment. The auger is pushed by a thrust bearing against an aluminum plug pinned to the barrel and has an 8mm bearing press-fitted on top. A 250w band heater warms an aluminum heat sink/hot-end with a 30-degree taper, screwed onto the barrel. The BetaMotor from filastruder.com is fastened to an aluminum angle bar and a Lovejoy equipped with a bronze spider drives the extrusion process. A $25 LED power supply powers the motor externally mounted on the side. The housing dimensions are 6.5" x 5" x 10". Using a rotabroach, I cut holes for top and bottom before bending on a magnabend; other holes, PID, and window cut-outs were completed post-bending. After assembling the auger/motor brace with spacers and tracing attachment points, six 1/2"x1/8" angle pieces were riveted to the rear housing for front half housing attachment.