Short bowden extruder & E3D v6 bracket for Velleman K8200 / 3Drag

thingiverse

Description An upgraded bracket for Velleman K8200 / 3Drag printers features a new design to hold E3D v6 hotends (or clones) and generic MK8-based bowden extruders securely. Based on the innovative idea of Arron_mollet22, this part was designed from scratch in 123D Design software. However, I'm not responsible for any issues that may arise during printing, such as misprints, fried stepsticks, or a malfunctioning printer. Improvements Compared to the original model, several key improvements were made: * Wider parts (8mm vs 6mm) provide a more stable structure. * More accurate dimensions ensure precise fit and function. * Better grip on the printer's aluminum extrusion/profile reduces movement and vibration. * An additional screw locks the hotend in place securely. * Designed to print without supports and with minimal overhangs, this bracket requires less post-processing. Required Materials To assemble the bracket, you'll need: * 4x M4x25 screws for assembling the bracket * 2x M4x15 screws for mounting the stepper motor bracket * 1x M4x60 screw for locking the hotend * 7x M4 washers * 7x M4 nuts * A piece of PTFE tubing (about 5cm) * Extruder, hotend, and a standard extruder fan Build Instructions To assemble the bracket: * Push the nuts into the plastic gently using a vise. * Avoid overtightening the screws to prevent damage. * Use washers for added stability. * Measure twice, cut once to ensure accurate cuts. Additional Notes When building your printer, keep in mind: * The tubing can be squeezed if it's 1mm too long. * Follow E3D's guidelines for building the extruder. * My Chinese V6 copy required drilling a pneumatic lock for the tubing. * Mount the hotend fan to blow air upwards, not downwards. Usage Notes To optimize your printing experience: * Switch to DRV8825 extruder motor drivers for improved performance. * Increase the extruder motor's current to 1.4-1.6A to prevent skipping steps. * Use PID auto-tuning for optimal temperature control. * Add a cover against cold air blows using cardboard or similar materials. Print Settings (for PLA) To achieve the best results: * Set STEPS_PER_UNIT or STEPS_PER_MM to 100 for original stepsticks, or 200 for DRV8825. * Use Slic3r Print settings with lowered speeds and default settings. * In Slic3r Filament settings: + Diameter: 1.75 + Extrusion multiplier: 1 + Extruder temperature: 195-190°C (adjust to your material's requirements) + Heatbed temperature: 60°C + Cooling: enabled (adjust to your needs) Slic3r Printer Settings: * Extruder nozzle diameter: 0.4 Results After addressing the heatbed issues and adding cardboard covers, my printer is now producing high-quality prints. Print Settings: * Printer: Prusa i3 * Rafts: Doesn't Matter * Supports: No * Resolution: 0.28 * Infill: 40% * Notes: Print only part bowden_bracket_A and bowden_bracket_B; bowden_bracket_full is a combined version. My parts were ordered online, with layers split using acetone welding.