1 (edited by Jimustanguitar 2017-06-08 05:03:06)

Topic: New to filament making, practically stole a Noztek Pro and Winder

Hi all, Jim here. I'm a 3D addict (7 machines at home, 2 of my own design, more at work, etc) and I'm just getting into filament extrusion for the first time. I've done business with Tim for a long time and have always had my eye on a filastruder kit (it was literally in my shopping cart for next month when I get back from a business trip), but I got a coincidental offer from a friend that I couldn't refuse. My buddy owns an engineering company that was contracted to make an experimental filament that paid for the extruder many times over, and now he just wants his shop space back. So, I bought a NozTek pro and winder for $100!

The experimental filament that my friend was making really clogged up the machine (it was basically filled with solidified tar), so I had to overhaul it before it could be used. I'll paste some pictures of the teardown and rebuild below if you're curious about the internals. I didn't take a picture of absolutely everything (just enough to reassemble it) but I still got a few if you want to know what's inside.

I have some white ABS and natural PLA pellets already, but no colorants to play with. I actually am working on a prototype that will use CMYK filament soon, so I'll be shopping for those colors right off the bat. I'll admit to not spending much time looking, but the 5 or 6 suppliers that I've already looked at did not offer those masterbatch colors, so point me in a direction if you're better informed than I.

I did the teardown last night, and this evening I got it back together. I ran a handful of ABS pellets to inaugurate the machine, and to clean out the remaining junk from the works. I didn't set up the winder yet, but I will for the next batch. I'll also follow up to the post and let you know how its diameter turned out.

Thanks for reading!

http://i.imgur.com/f3dM2Bb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/weDPXcq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Kb95IKw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LsselpO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lqmVLwW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/036Zqp9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hHfIJjG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1D6t56V.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IimfnB5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xDiRNdq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HxrBP9T.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ij90TOp.jpg

2

Re: New to filament making, practically stole a Noztek Pro and Winder

And in case you're curious... I joined the Filastruder forum because I'm a big open source guy. There's a lot of knowledge here, and I like to contribute and to be a part of that. If I was buying a machine new, I definitely would have bought the Filastruder first (about 5 of them, actually).

3

Re: New to filament making, practically stole a Noztek Pro and Winder

If you are shopping around for CMYK, try contacting Jonathan from OS3DP.com
I've gone through him for some special requests and he always came through. I believe he said he already had K.

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

4

Re: New to filament making, practically stole a Noztek Pro and Winder

Hi. I'm curious about how you cleaned the internals to get the previous material out of the machine. Also what temp do you find works best for abs. I'm currently working with the noztek pro and it keeps clogging up. Thanks

5

Re: New to filament making, practically stole a Noztek Pro and Winder

What is the model of the motor that is on the noztek pro? curious of how the specs compare to the filasturder motor.

6

Re: New to filament making, practically stole a Noztek Pro and Winder

I know they sell their compression screw and barrel together for around 300 pounds, I wonder if anybody has ever tried retrofitting it onto a Filastruder.  Why?  Just to see how a screw specifically designed and CNC cut for an extruder compares to our normal
Filastruder auger with all other parts being the same still (eg heater band/motor/etc).  It really is remarkable how much our $300 Filastruder's seemingly have in common with a $1200 Noztek.