Bowden Extruder Pla 1.75mm Nema 17 MKS8 Gear by Generalx5

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

Print yourself a Bowden extruder! The size is 43mm squared which is the size of the nema 17 stepper motors. The loader arm is free to move with the use of dual thrust bearings makes for smooth movement.
Parts List:
For the push guide bearing, you can use up to 12mm OD. With the maximum thickness of 5mm. But for smooth operation you can try any of the following combinations, I am currently using option 1 which works really well. For option 2 you will need to use shims as spacers so the OD doesn't rub against the PLA
Bearings Option1 ( 2x Flanged bearings 3 ID by 5 OD x 2.5mm, and 1x Standard bearing 5.ID x 10.OD x 3mm )
Bearings Option2 ( 1x Standard bearing 3 ID by 10 OD x 4mm, and 1x 3mm ID washers 1mm thick )

2 Sets of Thrust bearings. 3mm ID by 8mm OD by 3.5mm Thick. These are commonly used in RC helicopter main rotor blade grip assemblies, but can also be found pretty cheap online. I use this on the spring loaded arm, there are insets for these on the arm and on the cover and back piece to allow 0.5mm of gap on either side of the sandwiched pieces.

Spring is 1mm gauge 5mm OD by 20mm tall compression spring
One long 40mm M3 screw with two Hex nuts for securing the M3 screw, and to allow spring compression adjustment.
One 12mm M3 screw with Hex nut (for securing the spring loaded bearing)