CTC replicator dual extruder for flexible filaments

thingiverse

For those of you that like me didn't like what was out there to handle flexible filaments, this extruder designed for the CTC replicator dual it's a solid sturdier block that support the filament all the way to the hot end. (will allow you to adjust easily the high of your throat pipe) Printed with 40% infill, 4 top and bottom layers and 3 perimeters at 40 mm/s. Note: for those of you that will wonder how did I print outside the built plate...... Simplify3d (not cheap, but worth it) Sorry, I forgot to add the knob. just upload the new file with it. UPDATE 08/20/14: after several hours of printing with ABS, one of the arms broke. I would recommend printing the arms with 100% infill instead of 40% as I indicated before. UPDATE 02/18/15: After several months of using the design, I did some modifications. The new extruder works much better and cooling to the aluminum block was improved. (Print both main bodies at 70% infill, the bearing holders at 100% and fan cover at 20%) Note: You will have to modify the start G-code to prevent hitting the extruder against the frame of the printer. Something like this: ; Replicator 1 dual start.gcode M73 P0 ; enable build progress G162 X Y F3000 ; home XY maximum G161 Z F1200 ; home Z minimum G92 Z-5 ; set Z to -5 G1 Z0 ; move Z to 0 G161 Z F100 ; home Z slowly M132 X Y Z A B ; recall home offsets M135 T0 ; load right extruder offsets G1 X120 Y0 Z30 F9000 ; move to wait position off table G130 X20 Y20 Z20 A20 B20 ; lower stepper Vrefs while heating M126 S[fan_speed_pwm] M140 S[bed0_temperature] T0 M134 T0 ; stabilize bed temperature M104 S[extruder1_temperature] T1 M133 T1 ; stabilize extruder temperature G130 X127 Y127 Z40 A127 B127 ; default stepper Vrefs G92 A0 B0 ; zero extruders M135 T1 ; load left extruder offsets G1 Z0.4 ; position nozzle G1 E25 F300 ; purge nozzle G1 X120 Y0 Z0.15 F1200 ; slow wipe G1 X120 Y0 Z0.5 F1200 ; lift G92 A0 B0 ; zero extruders M73 P1 ;@body (notify GPX body has started) ; end of start.gcode Instructions you would need two 623zz bearings, 8 35mm M3 screws, 4 30mm M3 screws, 2 12mm M3 screws, 6 M3 nuts, 16 M3 washers,1 60mm M4 screw, 1 M4 nut and 3 M4 washers. the 12mm screws hold the bearings with one washer on each side, the 35mm screws and 8 M3 washers assembles the fan, the block and nema 17 together, the 30mm screw with washers and nuts mount the extruder to the aluminum block, the M4 screw with the washers, nut and spring assembles the dual extruder tensioner. If you find the guide hole to thin, use a small drill bit and drill it slowly to wide it out some more. Good luck to all and hope it is useful to you. just as a note: it works with binder clips