Robo 3D R1+ Dual Extrusion One Hotend

thingiverse

This is my first attempt at dual extrusion on my Robo3D R1+. I took the wade extruder file from http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:729956, and modified it to fit the R1+ quick release hotend, as well as to include a separate filament path with a y-junction inside the part. I'm hoping to make a similar setup to the prometheus dual extrusion system (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/811909269/the-prometheus-system-intuitive-multi-filament-3d). The whole assembly is only a half inch taller than the original part, and the second filament path entrance can be found between the two holes in the top of the part. Once I can figure out how to add a 6th stepper motor to my RAMPS board for the R1+, I will update this page with a tutorial explaining how to do this upgrade. If you have any suggestions regarding the addition of a 6th stepper motor to the R1+, please comment here and let me know. UPDATE: I was able to install a new board and stepper motor to drive the second strand of filament. However, the direct drive extruder I ordered to feed the second filament into the y-junction and hotend is not powerful enough to do so without jamming, and the all-metal construction of the stock hexagon hotend certainly does not help the filament flow smoothly after repeated retractions. Once I am able to solve these problems, I will post a full build tutorial and review. It may require me to replace the hotend with another that uses a PTFE tube, something that I am hesitant to do because I do not want to lose my ability to print with higher temperature filaments. I will also see about replacing the second extruder assembly with a wade style extruder in order to increase its torque.