XHTC / extremely simple automatic head changer

thingiverse

I can finally say that this design is perfect for publication. The XHTC is an automatic tool changer based on Renè Jurack's design. To see the procedure for this design, I highly recommend checking out the video. There is also a playlist available where you can get more information about it. The STL files have been finalized, but the cabling and control system are still in progress. After returning from a wonderful holiday in Russia and Southern France, I'm back to work on the XHTC project! To ensure that it's ready for the next winter season, when I usually focus most of my projects, I've reworked the entire electronics of the XHypercube and mounted them neatly on an MDF board. Additionally, I've improved the small "XHTC Extruder Head" from my last video and got it working successfully. All these updates will be presented in my next video, so make sure to check out my channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/xpixer - a new video is coming soon! Update 2.5.2019: I've dedicated time to improving the magnet holder. Several aspects didn't meet my expectations, so I went back to Fusion 360 to remove some bugs. The first thing I addressed was the tool change mechanism. Initially, I wasted too much space with cables and long pogopins, which limited me to attaching only two tool holders on a length of 300mm to my Hypercube. To rectify this issue, I removed all parts that protruded from the back of the magnet holder. I built a cable channel for the lower magnetic ball and routed signal cables from above to the pogopins via channels. The second aspect I improved was gluing in the magnetic balls. I designed a press fit solution where the balls are pressed into the frame, hoping this will hold better than the previous glue-based approach. I'm already making progress on the headers, which allows me to try multicolor printing. More updates will follow soon. Please check out the last picture in the gallery for more information. The design supports compact tool heads, and all electrical connections are made with a single tool change. I'll add more details to this feature. Currently, I'm initiating the change using a script stored under "GCODE Scripts / (before, after) Tool change" in Octoprint from version 1.3.8. You can find the templates on GitHub at https://github.com/xpix/XHTC. This is still a prototype, but if you'd like to try it out, here's all the information you need: Fusion360 Design: http://a360.co/2DpOXs6 Video: https://youtu.be/xUQaVA273kA?t=1m42s Discussion: http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?245,789306,802669#msg-802669 PCB for Pogo-Pins: https://aisler.net/p/RTBZFDAH External Parts used for XHEAD Project: * Neodym magnet balls 10mm: https://www.ebay.de/itm/122187457941 + 5pcs, €5.99 * Neodym magnet quader 5x5mm: https://www.ebay.de/itm/251544600651 + 10pcs, €3.99 * Washer DIN 9021 M6: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B06XNNVD4F + 10pcs, €1.00 (€9.37 for 100) * Superglue: https://goo.gl/DTFZqt + 1pc, €3.99 * Needles from bearing 2.5x10mm: https://www.ebay.de/itm/302593794786 + 2pcs, €0.20 (€6.99 for 100) * Pogo Pins: http://www.ebay.de/itm/272957602294 + 5pcs, €4.43 (€8.86 for 10)