1

Topic: Which printable replacement head?

Several of the acrylic parts of my print head have snapped during hot end removal and I want to reprint my own print head.

I've seen a few people have designed printable print heads to replace the poorly designed solidoodle supplied acrylic pieces, but most of them either have a different carriage or don't use the standard or complete hot end.

Has anyone designed one that just replaces the acrylic parts?

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

2

Re: Which printable replacement head?

I hear Lawsy's mk5 is pretty good.

But seriously, the mk5 should accept a standard hot end without any additional hardware or changes. I try to design all of my parts so they are interchangeable with the stock components.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

I did look at yours. I wasn't sure if it was interchangeable as it is so different to the standard design.

I'll give it a go...

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

4

Re: Which printable replacement head?

A lot of the discussion about the lawsy print heads talks about mods using different extruders, which blurs things for those of us who aren't as far along in rebuilding our printers with mods; but they do work fine with the standard Solidoodle head as well.  I currently have a stock Solidoodle extruder in all respects except the acrylic replaced with Lawsy's MK4 (the MK5 came out like a few days after my crisis, but I have a printed MK5 ready for the next crisis).

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Print an MK5. I had to glue my acrylic together last time it broke. I was able to print out an MK4 at the time. Now I have a spare lying around at all time. I am also going to upgrade all of the X and Y carriages so I can have spares on hand as well.

Also I now have a full spare hot end around at all times.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Lawsy, have you designed a print head that uses the J-head? I'm getting fed up with the solidoodle one and considering other options

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

7

Re: Which printable replacement head?

the mk4 and mk5 should take a jhead, it has nearly an Identical mount to the stock hotend.

8

Re: Which printable replacement head?

Is this discussion relating to the Solidoodle v2 or v3, or are both the same printhead? I've just ordered a v3 and when it arrives my number one task after calibrating it is to print out a selection of spares.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Both the same printhead.  The hotend uses the same makergear-style groovemount which I think is compatible to the J-Head and the e3d metal hotend.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

I keep getting this same problem (see photo).

I don't think it's down to Lawsy's mk5 print head as I have the same print head on a second machine and that is fine.

I'm pretty sure the hot end isn't blocked as it's the same hot end I used to print the print head a few days ago.

Any ideas?

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Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

11

Re: Which printable replacement head?

BFresh wrote:

I keep getting this same problem (see photo).

I don't think it's down to Lawsy's mk5 print head as I have the same print head on a second machine and that is fine.

I'm pretty sure the hot end isn't blocked as it's the same hot end I used to print the print head a few days ago.

Any ideas?

LOL what is this?! why is there 2 or 3 filament trying to enter heat barrel?

Solidoodle2 with Ceramic tile heated bed http://www.soliforum.com/topic/2544/my- … eated-bed/
"1kg should last for an while" is a lie!

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

For some reason the filament wouldn't go into the hot end but the head kept trying to force it in. The filament then kinked just above the hot end forcing out a loop that got bigger and bigger. I think the loop ended up sat just in the hot end.

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

13

Re: Which printable replacement head?

I was having the same issues. Have you adjusted your extruder gear out to align with the barrel? I printed out a +2mm MK5 to try out. My bearing wheel is just on the edge of my filament since I moved my gear out.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Stevos758 wrote:

I was having the same issues. Have you adjusted your extruder gear out to align with the barrel? I printed out a +2mm MK5 to try out. My bearing wheel is just on the edge of my filament since I moved my gear out.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean, so probably not.

Could you explain and maybe post a photo please?

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

15

Re: Which printable replacement head?

I'll try and get a pick later. If you are looking from the top down is your filament running through the gear into the barrel at a reasonably straight line?

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Stevos758 wrote:

I'll try and get a pick later. If you are looking from the top down is your filament running through the gear into the barrel at a reasonably straight line?

Nope, it's off centre slightly...

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Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

17 (edited by Stevos758 2013-08-20 14:58:48)

Re: Which printable replacement head?

Side to side from that angle should be ok. Check from the top down.

Try adjusting it to be straight as possible. I recently had problems with my stock hot end and this. I think both of my peaks were shot from trying to print nylon waiting for my E3D to arrive leading to the comment below.

If this doesn't clear things up its possible your peek is melted inside and your filament is getting stuck inside. Or you have a slight clog in the nozzle.

What are your print speeds? Are you running extra fast or stock? If running faster try slowing down a bit. It's possible your heater can't keep up.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Where is the adjustment?

I am using standard print speeds.

I have since swapped the hot ends between my machine and the problem has followed the hot end so I have ordered myself a J-Head from eBay

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

19

Re: Which printable replacement head?

There is an allen set screw on the extruder gear wheel. Just loosen it and adjust as needed.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

If you are still getting this issue after you realign it then you can try this.http://2n2r5.com/pictures/printer/slop_results/ptfe%20filament%20sleeve.jpg

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

2n2r5 wrote:

If you are still getting this issue after you realign it then you can try this.http://2n2r5.com/pictures/printer/slop_results/ptfe%20filament%20sleeve.jpg

What am I looking at exactly?

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Small piece of tubing between the gear and barrel.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Specifically/preferably, teflon tubing. You drill (preferably bore) a 4mm hole a little bit so you can fit a 2mm ID and 4mm OD teflon tube. It gives the filament sidewall support so that it doesn't bend like a thin column.

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

BFresh wrote:

For some reason the filament wouldn't go into the hot end but the head kept trying to force it in. The filament then kinked just above the hot end forcing out a loop that got bigger and bigger. I think the loop ended up sat just in the hot end.

is there filament trapped in the hotend already? that might be the cause...
if so... you might want to push that filament down further before you insert new filament... please give it a try.
I find it hard to push down existing filament with new string of filament... sometime i have to pull the existing filament out first before inserting. but in this case, it might be easier for you to push it down.. since i don't see anything for you to pull.

Solidoodle2 with Ceramic tile heated bed http://www.soliforum.com/topic/2544/my- … eated-bed/
"1kg should last for an while" is a lie!

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Re: Which printable replacement head?

Whenever it happens, I cut filament above the print head, remove the tangled mess, and then insert the new filament.

If it happens during a print and I catch it soon enough, I can get away with pausing the print, doing the above, and then resuming.

Industrial Designer
Fresh Design Works (UK)
www.freshdesignworks.co.uk