Saturn Extruder - A compact 3mm planetary geared bowden extruder

thingiverse

I was determined to craft a compact and efficient extruder for 3mm filament, and direct drive models just didn't have enough torque. So I designed this streamlined planetary geared bowden extruder featuring a precise 5:1 gear ratio - comparable to a Wade extruder but much more compact in design. A convenient quick-release handle makes it easy to swap filaments, and the M3 mounting holes are used for securing the device on a Kossel frame. The innovative planetary gears draw inspiration from Emmet's impressive gear bearing design and assemble neatly together. Although most of the extruder requires assembly, the entire process is quite manageable. View the video demonstration at https://youtu.be/8W2CMN2Lwik and examine the source code at https://github.com/alexspeller/Saturn-Extruder for more insight into this fascinating project. Print Settings: Rafts: None Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 50% Notes: It's highly advisable to print with PLA instead of ABS for optimal gear durability. Make sure to generate supports when printing, and ensure each part is oriented correctly in the model if you prefer printing individual STLs. You can either print the whole plate or assemble individual parts carefully. Instructions Bill Of Materials: * 3 x 623 Bearing * 2 x 608 Bearing * 1 x Spur gear with 8mm inner diameter and 12mm outer diameter, or a hobbed gear of the same specifications * 1 x Stiff spring measuring 20mm in length, 5.5mm ID, and 7.5mm OD * 11 x M3 nut * 10 x M3x8mm socket cap screw * 4 x M3x12mm socket cap screw * 1 x M3x25mm socket cap screw * 1 x M8x25mm hex head bolt * 1 x Piece of 8mm threaded rod cut to 13mm in length * Push fit connector * Nema 17 stepper motor with a 5mm shaft Assembly Steps: Planet Gear Assembly: Step 1: Free up the planetary gears carefully using pliers. Be cautious not to break them. Insert nuts into the central gear nut traps and loosely attach M3x8mm screws. Place the gears on top of the Nema 17 stepper motor, fastening with four M3x8mm screws. Securely tighten three grub screws onto the motor shaft and add some silicone lubricant to reduce friction on the planetary gears. Insert the three 623 bearings into the gear's bearings receptacles.