Thews Drive - A Quick Release Flying Extruder for Delta printers

thingiverse

Thews recently completed a new extruder drive design last week. Testing has shown it performs exceptionally well! The standout feature of this drive is the quick release mechanism and ease of cleaning filament stuck in the teeth of the spur gear. By suspending the extruder in this manner, the length of the Bowden tube is minimized, allowing for reduced retraction settings. As a result, only 2.1mm retracts are required, eliminating blobbing and stringing issues altogether. The drive features a Nema11 stepper motor paired with a 27:1 ratio gearbox. This combination can be purchased from various sources, including OMC-Stepper Online: http://www.omc-stepperonline.com/gear-ratio-271-planetary-gearbox-dual-shaft-nema-11-stepper-11hs120674dpg27-p-133.html. Although designed for 1.75mm filament, the drive has been modified to accommodate 3mm filament by drilling out the interior and installing PTFE tubing. A PTFE liner is required within the filament path for smooth operation. A fully parametric version of this design is available on Onshape: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a3cb8db7b43254e191f1baf0/w/6af71ddfbe1a12a952c95254/e/e7b23ea0ffae0b05dfb65ede. Print Settings: Rafts: None Supports: None Resolution: Irrelevant Infill: 90% Notes: Simply print the design with a focus on strength. Some holes may require drilling after printing, but be sure to leave the hex screw hole intact to maintain tightness and prevent movement during retraction.