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Topic: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

What are the maximum number of hot end heater cartridge+thermistor pairs that can be run using RAMPS? Can the bed heating ports also be used for a cartridge+thermistor pair?

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

2 with a heated bed, 3 without. Though there's only 5 stepper drivers.

You could do even more if you added FETs and a few resistors to the aux ports.

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

Hello elmoret, Thanks for your quick reply.
I am electronics newbie....Can you please tell me in detail how exactly can I create a circuit for extra hot end using extra ramps ports.

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

If you have to ask then doing it DIY-style might not be suitable. Probably best to use an ExtrudrBoard instead:

http://reprap.org/wiki/Adding_more_extr … trudrBoard

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

the Azteeg x3 will use 5.
Here is the link.

http://files.panucatt.com/datasheets/x3pro_wiring.pdf

Ultimaker S3.

6 (edited by carl_m1968 2016-03-07 02:43:19)

Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

Not sure why you would want more than two? To my knowledge right now the only software that supports two is Simplify3d. There is no free or pay software that is not proprietary to a multi head system that one could currently use open source.

On the subject of RAMPS, as it is without adding additional boards or circuits it can only support 2 extruders as it only has the out puts for two extruder heaters, one bed heater, three thermistor inputs, and 5 motor drivers.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

carl_m1968 wrote:

There is no free or pay software that is not proprietary to a multi head system that one could currently use open source.

Here is a list of slicers that support 4 or more extruders:
Slic3r (open source)
Cura (open source)
KISSlicer (paid version)

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

yes Tim is correct. even RH has settings for at least 2 extruders.
I have seen 3D printers designed to use what can only be described as 4 Krakens in one printer for a total of 16 different filaments but the build area is small last I saw it. and I too see no practical use/need for such. its kina like the modified Pulling Tractors adding lots of engines instead of just using 1 bigger one "because they can" lol I guess.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

heck its hard finding that many colors or types of filament much less why you would want them in 1 print when Paint is cheaper

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

You can't "paint" multiple materials into the same print.

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

elmoret wrote:

You can't "paint" multiple materials into the same print.

if all you want is dif colors, then yes. but why would you want 4-16  dif materials mixed?

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

I am making synchronous hot ends...Not independent....So software is no issue.
So if ExtrudrBoard can be used with RAMPS I can have two additional hot ends. As I have no heated bed..three default on RAMPS and two extra will make 5 possible. Thanks to all!

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Re: Maximum number of hot ends posible for RAMPS

pawan wrote:

I am making synchronous hot ends...Not independent....So software is no issue.
So if ExtrudrBoard can be used with RAMPS I can have two additional hot ends. As I have no heated bed..three default on RAMPS and two extra will make 5 possible. Thanks to all!

Or use the Azteeg that has built in support for 5 extruders and heaters.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.