Basic Bowden Extruder V2 by FerociousDesigns

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

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Update 10/02/18: Updated both main body and arm to v2. Moved filament hole down 0.5mm to make loading easier as it was hitting the bearing.
This is a further iteration from my 'Simple Bowden Exruder' based on the Anet A8 stock extruder design but optimised for TPU. It requires more parts than the previous iteration, however should perform even better!
Features:
Small Size: Only 2mm deeper than the standard Anet A8 extruder when used as a bowden.
Compatibility: Mounts to any bowden mount that can take a Nema 17 Stepper
Works with flexible filament as well as PLA / ABS etc
Works with various extruder gears from 12 - 14mm diameter
Near 100% supported filament path
PC4M6 In / Out: Prevents grinding on the edge of the arm, and provides more support for the filament to make loading easier.
Printing:
I have tried to orient the parts into the best position for printing, however you are free to print how you want to of course :) I use 10% line supports on everything in Cura as they are very easy to remove. Printed with 25% infill using Anet PLA. During cleanup, bore the filament hole out to 2mm if it is not already.
Required parts:
3x M3x17mm Bolts to mount to bowden mount and stepper
1x M3x12mm Cap head bolt for arm retainer
1x M3x20mm Cap head bolt for spring adjuster
5x M3 Washers (Arm Hinge x3, spring adjuster x2)
4x M3 Nuts (Arm retainer, arm bolt, spring adjuster x2)
4x F623zz bearings (arm hinge x2, spring adjuster x2)
1x 625 bearing (filament idler)
1x Spring 8mm wide x 20mm long
1x MK7 Extruder Gear (Other gears may work but not tested)
Building:
Assemble the arm first and then bolt it to the main body piece. Wind the tensioner out all the way to make it easier to mount.
The arm hinge should go: Washer between bearing on the arm and the front plate, bearing, bearing, washer, m3 nut, washer. Then attach to bowden mount / stepper.
The spring tensioner on the arm should be: M3 bolt with nut tightend all the way up to its head (this should push fit into the 'Extuder button' piece), washer, bearing, bearing, washer, M3 nut, Spring retainer with embedded M3 nut facing the arm.
To set the extruder gear into the right position on the shaft, you can attach the built arm without the front plate.