X3uder - OS 12VDC RepRap Filament extruder

thingiverse

X3uder, a 12VDC Filament Extruder inspired by RepRap technology, features mostly printable parts and readily available hardware components. Powered by a RepRap controller and 12VDC power supply, it utilizes two 40-watt 12-volt heating cartridges. The motor consumes between 0.5 and 3 amps, making a typical 15-amp power supply sufficient. Design elements are borrowed from Lyman's, Filastruder, and Filabot extruders. To operate the extruder for filament production, simply replace the cables of your 3D printer heater output and thermistor input, connect a 12VDC via a switch to the fan and motor, and bypass the need for additional PID controllers and power supplies. Production rates range from 18 to 34 cm per minute of 3mm filament, with 1 kg of filament produced in about 10-12 hours, achieving a diameter tolerance of +/- 0.05 (usually 0.07). Testing for 1.75 mm filament production has not been conducted. Easily edit TinkerCAD models, including the Guide/FAN stand, Hopper for 20mm OD barrel, Motor plate, Bearing plate, Filament guide, and more. Compatibility with Melzi boards and RAMPS MOSFETs is noted, with caution advised to ensure extruder output capability. Check out a video demo of the X3uder at http://youtu.be/fFSQqvtYaDw. Natural ABS plastic pellets from LG Chem are used, available in 25kg packages for 82.70 Euro (20% VAT included), equating to 3.3 Euro per kg (4.7 US$). The LG HF380 pellets have an MFR of 43g/10min at 220C/10kg. Purchase from resinex.com if a nearby office exists, with operations in 31 European countries. Print the Bearing plate with at least 4 perimeters at 50% infill and motor plate with 35% at least 3 perimeters. Threaded rods are 8mm diameter, 160mm long, while bolts for plate mounting and motor use 5mm. A 20mm OD/16mm ID stainless steel pipe serves as the barrel (or a 1/2" nipel); create metric threads if machining. The nozzle is 27mm long with a 1/2 (20mm metric) external thread, and the heating barrel is 40mm diameter, 30mm long, with a 1/2 (20mm metric) internal thread and two 6mm by 20mm drills for heating cartridges. The aluminum flange is 65mm diameter, 8mm long, with a 1/2 (20mm metric) internal thread. The auger's effective length is 210mm, parallel to its spiral angle. A machined flange can be replaced by a plumbing one in TinkerCAD if edited accordingly. The motor runs at 2.5 RPM on load with a torque of > 100 kg/cm. A 60 by 60mm, 15mm high fan is used, and PID tuning follows the guidelines provided in http://reprap.org/wiki/PID_Tuning.