1 Topic by Fredjikrang (edited by Fredjikrang 2015-02-24 00:55:02)

  • Fredjikrang
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Topic: Super Cooler

So, I am sure that some of you are aware of this, but I have been trying out a bunch of different filaments on the Press (The thread is in the "Filaments" forum here.) and the biggest problem that I have had is the poor cooling of the extruder. So, I am trying to improve the cooling through extreme measures!

http://www.soliforum.com/misc.php?action=pun_attachment&item=8011&download=0

Here is my second attempt. It is a 12V blower connected directly to the top of the extruder, with a shroud to direct the air. It seems to work somewhat. I am using PET+ by MadeSolid as my test filament, as I have been having a lot of trouble getting it to print my test print.

Here you can see the best I was able to do with an unmodified Press:
http://www.soliforum.com/misc.php?action=pun_attachment&item=8012&download=0

And here is my first try with the Super Cooler attached:
http://www.soliforum.com/misc.php?action=pun_attachment&item=8013&download=0

I still have some work to do, but I think that there is potential here!

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2 Reply by Dream-Cypher

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Re: Super Cooler

Interesting. Is this only cooling the extruder heat sink, or is it directing some air to the printed part?

3 Reply by Fredjikrang

  • Fredjikrang
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Re: Super Cooler

It is mostly for cooling the heat sink. I am starting to think that there is a deeper design problem to the hot end though. Either it isn't making good contact with the heat sink, or the stainless is too thick to conduct the heat away. I was very surprised that adding such a large fan wasn't able to keep the cool part of the hot end from getting too hot for the PET+.

4 Reply by android78

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Re: Super Cooler

I'm wondering about putting some of http://www.aremco.com/high-temp-tapes/ (or maybe some teflon tape) on the hot end to insulate it somewhat from the aluminium radiator block could be the way to go.  It seems to me that the design will cause the whole radiator block to heat up, rather then having the hot end hot and further away from the hot end being cooler, going back towards the extruder wheel that really shouldn't be hot at all.
The design just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

5 Reply by trayracing

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Re: Super Cooler

Insulating the hot end from the cold end will not help, at least for PLA. The top end of the heat break needs to be cooled. With PLA, I can see where the filament entering the heat break has softened, then bent. (From a cold start, I can actually do a half hour print. But as soon as filament stops moving through the heat break, the top end of the heat break gets too warm, filament bulges in the heat break and then kinks just above it.

The factory instlalled extruder fan, as mounted, is nearly useless because one side of it is blocked. Maybe try putting a few washers under the fan will improve circulation. (You'll need to remove the grille though, to avoid hitting the side.