SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Another Filament Extruder

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-12-05T03:27:59Z

mnutsch - The issue of the use of the tee is not a problem. When used there is a layer of pellets under the auger that need to be removed to finish the clean out of the system. I just remove the bottle and blow out the extra pellets or just use compressed air to remove them. The biggest problem that most extruders have is that the pipe nipple will rotate (tighten up
and change the location of the pellet inlet for the extruder because of pellets that have to be sheared because of physical position. I solved my problem by spot welding the flange, the 2" connector nipple and the tee together. So no rotation and it works fantastic. Like I said just blow a little air into it and no more pellets of the wrong type.

Bob

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-12-04T23:44:16Z

Hi Bob,

I'm building my own plastic extruder based on Lyman's v3 design.

I read that you were were having trouble with the internal dimensions of a tee not matching the internal dimensions of the pipe. Instead of using a tee, you might be better off using a tapping saddle.

Google "tapping saddle for copper pipe" for an image.

Google "manual hot tap machine" for illustrations on handheld machines that are used to install tapping saddles onto pipe.

Tapping machines can be rented from underground utility supply stores, such as Ferguson Waterworks.

(It's been a while since you posted this thread, but I thought that I should comment in case anyone else comes across it.)

Sincerely,

Matt

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-07-12T02:56:23Z

I have just updated the blog on my filament extruder. I have wired the unit up and have documented what I have done for the wiring. I took some time to get things layed out correctly and then wired together. I was worried about the size of the wires and weather the wire was large enough for the load. So I used 16 and 14 gauge wire to do the job. It works just fine now.

Bob Teeter

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-04-10T02:36:04Z

Just a quick update. I got tired of fighting the flange/nipple/tee rotation issue and just welded it together now no more rotation and problem solved. Also I have run about 1.5 Kg of plastic thru the system without the cap or heater on it. The feed from the bottle works fantastic. Also the problem of pellets on the bottom of the tee is not a problem. when empty there is a layer of pellets that are laying under the auger and are not a problem. Just when changing colors you need to blow out the excess pellets with either a strong breath or use a can of air to clear it. It takes about 15 minutes to empty a bottle that holds 500 grams of pellets. That is just dumping them into a bowl without a cap on the system.

Bob Teeter

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-04-03T16:08:13Z

yea, that cut is not something ordinary people can make. keep up the good work Bob

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-31T19:34:15Z

Update - trying to use Bondo to create a sleeve inside the 3/4" tee did not work out so well. The sleeve detached from the tee and rotated into the arbor. But I think that I might have at least 2 other options. The 1st is to use the method that Tim and the rest have used and that is to cut a slot into the 3/4" pipe and attach an external hopper. The other I am just going to try and then let you know if it works out or not. Because the slot method has worked on at least 3 other extruders and we know that it works. I am just trying to avoid that cutting if I can.

Bob Teeter

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-28T08:11:55Z

bteeter wrote:

That is one of the reasons for using 3/4" pipe and a faster motor that turns 11 rpm.

...that are a BIG difference to the rpm that HLyman is using...

hlyman on January 23, 2013 said:
The rpm is variable with the
voltage regulator. At 3 volts it is around 3 rpm.
The right speed is accomplished by
testing.

In his videos, the speed looks slower, too.

Im only asking because i was thinking if this cheap 3 rpm motor could be perfect if lower rpms are used:
ebay article 181026098597

But if 11 rpm are needed, it will be too slow.

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-27T19:01:52Z

One of my targets is to be able to make 4-6 Kg of filament a day or more. That is one of the reasons for using 3/4" pipe and a faster motor that turns 11 rpm. The motor in the BOM has plenty of torque because when the pellets jammed in the pipe it torqued tighter than I expected and it took a LARGE pipe wrench to remove it. I believe that using the Bondo should fix the problem the easy way. I will find out this weekend.

All the prices are to build 1 unit. I have no intention in selling kits and just the desire to built for myself.
Just to let all of you know. It is not my intent to be cheaper than Tim's project. All I wanted to do is make some filament extruders for my own use. And with 3 different types of plastic I figured that I needed 3 different extruders so that I do not cross contaminate each type. I support Tim's effort and believe that what he has put together is a great value.

Also I have just ordered one of Tim's kits because I can see an additional use to have one. I think that I want to do some custom color blending.

Bob Teeter

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-27T18:56:21Z

cmetzel wrote:

bteeter wrote:
I have updated the project page and also included a link to the inital BOM that I have put together.
Bob Teeter
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you say earlier you would sell the kits for $150? Your BOM shows parts costing $238.

he needs to put bulk price in there... a lot of them are over priced... :-(

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-27T18:53:06Z

Hello, did you test the Maschine already? How many RPM are you using? Thanks.

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-27T16:48:46Z

That was someone else in Europe. The prices might have been lower for some things there, but shipping and customs would add a lot.

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-27T14:04:08Z

bteeter wrote:

I have updated the project page and also included a link to the inital BOM that I have put together.
Bob Teeter

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you say earlier you would sell the kits for $150? Your BOM shows parts costing $238.

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-27T02:34:22Z

I have updated the project page and also included a link to the inital BOM that I have put together.

Bob Teeter

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-25T17:31:13Z

the photo loads fine for me, can't wait for your BOM, thank you

Re: Another Filament Extruder

2013-03-24T20:43:31Z

Thanks Leghk - I have re-sized the photo's so that they are 812 pix on the largest edge. I have also verified that each of the pictures are now of that size and are 10x smaller in download size. Also I am STILL going to pound on Century Link because I still think that my speed is crap.

Bob Teeter