Files here if anyone wants to print one .... http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1723817

Steve

Well, I've now completed my mk8 hotend replacement. I've ended up swapping out the stepper motor I got with the new mk8 hotend and re-installing the default motor but still using my mk8 hotend.  There were very slight differences in the diameter of the extruder cog so went back to stock.  For this I needed to add a 3mm spacer to get the cog to line up inside the extruder but this worked to my benefit as I've used the extra 3mm to make a nice mount for all the gubbins on top. :-) 

So to do this mod you need..

1. A New mk8 extruder / hotend. I'm using a 0.3mm nozzle with a 0.35mm on order. The 0.4mm put to much filament down.
2. 3 printed parts
3. Some longer screws to put it all together.
4. Reverse the extruder motor wires. ie. 1.2.3.4 to 4.3.2.1 You need to do this as the extruder now sits on the other side of the cog.

I've included the printed below. They are the main motor spacer and board / tube holder. A rear brace for the holder and a X axis clip to reset the limit by about 10mm.  It's quite an easy mod now it's all done and happy with the results (see photos above).  I can print now both PLA and ABS without any problems. The printer still cleans the nozzle before a print too. :-)

I am pleased to say although I only have a 0.3mm nozzle fitted for the first time I've been able to print PLA on my DV 1.1 plus :-)  This is by completely replacing the stock extruder / hotend with a mk8..

Couple of photos

And two prints, the black is ABS, the white is PLA.. both with the new hotend but 0.3mm extruder as I'm waiting for my 0.4mm one to come in the post so it will look even better then I hope :-)

ABS

PLA

Let me know if any one would like to do this, I'll help anyway I can and supply the STL to mount everything.

Well I've decided to have a go at replacing my extruder. After many failed attempts at trying to print PLA I tried numerous different ways of removing the heat from the extruder connector but alas, none worked.

So, I had a mk8 extruder sitting there going spare from my last DIY build so I embarked on the challenge.  Now, the main problem with the 1.1 plus is I'm guessing I need to remain on it's own built in firmware because I wanted to retain it's touchscreen operation. This means the diameter of the extruder cog on the motor must remain the same so it doesn't over or under extrude.  I measured the vinci one and that was 10.82mm.  I then measured the mk8 and although it's teeth are bigger this one measured 10.76mm.. that' pretty dam close in my book so this might just work!

Next I wanted it to be a simple install. Trying to retain the original carriage was the plan. Once I had swapped over the original heating element and the temp resistor and installed them in the mk8 I had to rotate the hotend so it cleared the old carriage. Once installed the nozzle is only about 1mm in height difference from the original so you can compensate for this by the bed leveling adjustments. Sadly my head is slightly off center now so I will need to adjust the x limit by added about 10mm to it.

I also needed to reverse the motor as it was extruding the wrong way. This was simple to do by swapping the pins around in the vinci motor connection plug. You just have to reverse them so 1.2.3.4 wires become 4.3.2.1.

So currently I'm waiting for a 0.4mm nozzle which will allow me to print some parts to finish it off, but I'm very happy with it so far. :-) 

I've also been working on a touch screen cartridge reprogrmmer. Again, just waiting to get my printer up and running so I can print an inner mount to glue it in to an empty cartridge.

Will update next week with the finished results.