Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Your awesome Nate :cool:. Iv'e  just about got my heated bed plate done, I used nicrhome heat wire, glued it on the aluminum bed plate with J-B Weld, I did not know that J-B Weld could be used for temperatures up to 600 degrees F, until I read the package it came in. I could have used it to inject a two piece mold for the hotend instead of spending so much money on peek rod, oh well live and learn, i'll know for future reference. So now I am in the test stage, first tests show 118 watts,   8.6 amps, @ 13.7 volts, it takes about 10 minutes to heat up to pla temp, 140 degrees F.  I will post a video when all my tests are complete, so far I am very please with the results.
 Nate, question, how did you get rid of the little 3 layer print pattern that all of the prints print on, did you uncheck rafting in Sfact or skeinforge settings?

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 5th, 2012, 01:39 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Your awesome Nate :cool:. Iv'e  just about got my heated bed plate done, I used nicrhome heat wire, glued it on the aluminum bed plate with J-B Weld, I did not know that J-B Weld could be used for temperatures up to 600 degrees F, until I read the package it came in. I could have used it to inject a two piece mold for the hotend instead of spending so much money on peek rod, oh well live and learn, i'll know for future reference. So now I am in the test stage, first tests show 118 watts,   8.6 amps, @ 13.7 volts, it takes about 10 minutes to heat up to pla temp, 140 degrees F.  I will post a video when all my tests are complete, so far I am very please with the results.
 Nate, question, how did you get rid of the little 3 layer print pattern that all of the prints print on, did you uncheck rafting in Sfact or skeinforge settings?

Looks good Jeff!  What is the insulating material?  To remove the raft they recommend setting the layers to 0, rather than uncheck rafting.

Nate

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 5th, 2012, 01:39 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Your awesome Nate :cool:. Iv'e  just about got my heated bed plate done, I used nicrhome heat wire, glued it on the aluminum bed plate with J-B Weld, I did not know that J-B Weld could be used for temperatures up to 600 degrees F, until I read the package it came in. I could have used it to inject a two piece mold for the hotend instead of spending so much money on peek rod, oh well live and learn, i'll know for future reference. So now I am in the test stage, first tests show 118 watts,   8.6 amps, @ 13.7 volts, it takes about 10 minutes to heat up to pla temp, 140 degrees F.  I will post a video when all my tests are complete, so far I am very please with the results.
 Nate, question, how did you get rid of the little 3 layer print pattern that all of the prints print on, did you uncheck rafting in Sfact or skeinforge settings?

Looks good Jeff!  What is the insulating material?  To remove the raft they recommend setting the layers to 0, rather than uncheck rafting.

Nate

Ok Nate thanks, I'll try that  with the rafting :D and the insulation I got out of a gas fryer I had to rebuild years back, knew I would use it one day :P .

[attachment=864][attachment=865]
A sneak peek at my new RAMPS 1.4 box.  I'm trying a 60 mm fan for exhaust, and forcing cones to each stepper driver heat sink.  Also a square duct to the mosfets.  I need to work on mounting flanges and box top screws.  Will need to create some support structure for the power socket openings.  Probably will do some kind of small wire management inside the box to keep room for the air intakes.  

Experimental! :D

Nate

Quote from firepinto on February 7th, 2012, 06:24 PM

A sneak peek at my new RAMPS 1.4 box.  I'm trying a 60 mm fan for exhaust, and forcing cones to each stepper driver heat sink.  Also a square duct to the mosfets.  I need to work on mounting flanges and box top screws.  Will need to create some support structure for the power socket openings.  Probably will do some kind of small wire management inside the box to keep room for the air intakes.  

Experimental! :D

Nate

That's going to be nice Nate :cool:. Remember what started this little detour, this very box, now the circle is complete :P :D. Good one Nate.

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 7th, 2012, 06:57 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 7th, 2012, 06:24 PM

A sneak peek at my new RAMPS 1.4 box.  I'm trying a 60 mm fan for exhaust, and forcing cones to each stepper driver heat sink.  Also a square duct to the mosfets.  I need to work on mounting flanges and box top screws.  Will need to create some support structure for the power socket openings.  Probably will do some kind of small wire management inside the box to keep room for the air intakes.  

Experimental! :D

Nate

That's going to be nice Nate :cool:. Remember what started this little detour, this very box, now the circle is complete :P :D. Good one Nate.

lol Yeah that box went in the recycle bin.  I really need to make a box for the first printer too.  Maybe I should make too versions, one original Prusa, the other for the dual.:cool:

Ha Nate, how is the new printer coming along, I know you have been busy with the bobbins and such, just wondering. Also did you understand the question liuyuxin posted to you, I did not?

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 26th, 2012, 05:24 PM

Ha Nate, how is the new printer coming along, I know you have been busy with the bobbins and such, just wondering. Also did you understand the question liuyuxin posted to you, I did not?

Hey Jeff,
I worked on making some prints this weekend for the new printer.  I have both X ends and the carraige printed now.  I think everything I have will fit and line up well enough to assemble.  I have a video made that I'll upload tomorrow from the hotel (their ISP doesn't throttle down Youtube like mine does).  I almost thought I had a disaster with my makergear hotend.  Ended up being a broken wire to my thermistor.   Soldered it up and got back to printing.  :)

I think I'm in a race to get the new printer going before the first one falls apart! lol  I noticed my ABS Z couplers are cracking, better print some replacements soon.:P

I figured liuyuxin was a spam bot.

Nate

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Say Nate, any way those X ends would work on a single extruder machine, like mine. I am to the point now, where I need to change my X ends out to use the linear bearings, if your design would work on a single extruder machine, I would like to try them :cool: :D . Please let me know, thanks. :D:P

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 28th, 2012, 02:08 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Say Nate, any way those X ends would work on a single extruder machine, like mine. I am to the point now, where I need to change my X ends out to use the linear bearings, if your design would work on a single extruder machine, I would like to try them :cool: :D . Please let me know, thanks. :D:P

They would be a tight fit on a standard prusa with vertex's mounted on the insides of the Z motor mounts.  The vertex's may hit on the extruder or X ends when the Z is at the top. The other thing is the belt path requires 2 extra 608 bearings  to route the belt over the top of the extruder motors.  The belt may be what hits on the vertex's.  The smooth rods for the X axis are at 80 mm on center.  So if you used them you would have to also change out your X carriage.  I could modify the X carriage fairly easy to be a single extruder design, but not sure how the geometry for the bearings would work that way.  
I'm going to try to put mine together this weekend.  I'll be able to visualize clearances better after that.  :)
I could probably draw up a set of X ends with normal rod spacings faster than modifying the dual design for a single.  Ya thinking about trying the gear reduction X motor setup?  I think a special extra long belt pulley could be made to convert back to direct drive if gear drive don't turn out.

Nate

Quote from firepinto on February 28th, 2012, 03:01 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 28th, 2012, 02:08 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Say Nate, any way those X ends would work on a single extruder machine, like mine. I am to the point now, where I need to change my X ends out to use the linear bearings, if your design would work on a single extruder machine, I would like to try them :cool: :D . Please let me know, thanks. :D:P

They would be a tight fit on a standard prusa with vertex's mounted on the insides of the Z motor mounts.  The vertex's may hit on the extruder or X ends when the Z is at the top. The other thing is the belt path requires 2 extra 608 bearings  to route the belt over the top of the extruder motors.  The belt may be what hits on the vertex's.  The smooth rods for the X axis are at 80 mm on center.  So if you used them you would have to also change out your X carriage.  I could modify the X carriage fairly easy to be a single extruder design, but not sure how the geometry for the bearings would work that way.  
I'm going to try to put mine together this weekend.  I'll be able to visualize clearances better after that.  :)
I could probably draw up a set of X ends with normal rod spacings faster than modifying the dual design for a single.  Ya thinking about trying the gear reduction X motor setup?  I think a special extra long belt pulley could be made to convert back to direct drive if gear drive don't turn out.

Nate

Nate your gear design is wonderfully :cool: , but I was thinking direct drive, or belt reduction, the reason is :D , I would worry about backlash and wear between the gear teeth, this would only worsen as the gears wore, and would be hard to compensate for. Take a look at the photo's of my cnc plasma belt reduction box, one of three on the machine, in it you will see there is or can be no backlash of any kind between the motor small and or large sprocket, this I think :D would be the best possible way to solve the backlash or wear problem. So :D, if you had a mind to :P, make belt type sprockets instead of gear teeth, I think you would be very happy with the outcome. What do you think, and to, I'm not trying to discourage your design at all, I think it's really cool, just trying to help :P :D :cool: .

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 28th, 2012, 04:19 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 28th, 2012, 03:01 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on February 28th, 2012, 02:08 PM

Quote from firepinto on February 5th, 2012, 07:28 AM

More progress on the Dual extruder X axis parts.  I just need to draw up the belt clamps and tensioner, and then go through with a fine tooth comb to clean up the models.  I'll probably have to print one of each to find alignment problems and make some tweaks.  (unless I'm really lucky!) I'm not sure I like the X carraige but I had to start somewhere. :-)

Nate

Say Nate, any way those X ends would work on a single extruder machine, like mine. I am to the point now, where I need to change my X ends out to use the linear bearings, if your design would work on a single extruder machine, I would like to try them :cool: :D . Please let me know, thanks. :D:P

They would be a tight fit on a standard prusa with vertex's mounted on the insides of the Z motor mounts.  The vertex's may hit on the extruder or X ends when the Z is at the top. The other thing is the belt path requires 2 extra 608 bearings  to route the belt over the top of the extruder motors.  The belt may be what hits on the vertex's.  The smooth rods for the X axis are at 80 mm on center.  So if you used them you would have to also change out your X carriage.  I could modify the X carriage fairly easy to be a single extruder design, but not sure how the geometry for the bearings would work that way.  
I'm going to try to put mine together this weekend.  I'll be able to visualize clearances better after that.  :)
I could probably draw up a set of X ends with normal rod spacings faster than modifying the dual design for a single.  Ya thinking about trying the gear reduction X motor setup?  I think a special extra long belt pulley could be made to convert back to direct drive if gear drive don't turn out.

Nate

Nate your gear design is wonderfully :cool: , but I was thinking direct drive, or belt reduction, the reason is :D , I would worry about backlash and wear between the gear teeth, this would only worsen as the gears wore, and would be hard to compensate for. Take a look at the photo's of my cnc plasma belt reduction box, one of three on the machine, in it you will see there is or can be no backlash of any kind between the motor small and or large sprocket, this I think :D would be the best possible way to solve the backlash or wear problem. So :D, if you had a mind to :P, make belt type sprockets instead of gear teeth, I think you would be very happy with the outcome. What do you think, and to, I'm not trying to discourage your design at all, I think it's really cool, just trying to help :P :D :cool: .

I'm curious how the backlash is going to affect things too.  I have a back up plan to remove the backlash in the gears automatically though.  The belt idea would work good though, and be more quiet.:cool:  I'm definitely in this to come up with the best way of making it work, so ideas are always good.:cool:  The gears will probably go by the way side eventually.  I seen some people using a spiral wound metal cable instead of belts.  If i can remember what it's called lol I want to switch to that too.  Not sure if you can buy it in continuous circle belt types though.  

If I get time this weekend I'll try to make a regular style set of x ends with direct drive and the same bearing and opto mount design.  And actually I just got another idea for an axis drive system with increased torque with only one belt and no gears.  That would require a new X carriage though.  So many ideas, so little time! :P

Nate

I found the cable I was thinking of.  Its called syncromesh cable.  Looks like an interesting idea.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15923

Nate

Quote from firepinto on February 28th, 2012, 08:34 PM

I found the cable I was thinking of.  Its called syncromesh cable.  Looks like an interesting idea.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15923

Nate

that is interesting... i think i have seen something similar before... something i took apart maybe? i don't know. interesting...
~Russ

Quote from firepinto on February 28th, 2012, 08:34 PM

I found the cable I was thinking of.  Its called syncromesh cable.  Looks like an interesting idea.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15923

Nate

As I always have said, your the man Nate, syncromesh cable would work very well, very well indeed.

Say Nate, found this on thingiverse for duel extruders, printable's and software. Have you seen this?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Say Nate, found this on thingiverse for duel extruders, printable's and software. Have you seen this?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

I seen that awhile ago, but i think he hadn't tried printing both at once for a two material print at that time.  I don't really understand how he's doing two materials.  The RepRap host requires 2 different stl's that fit together.  Seems like he's not doing it that way:huh:  not sure.   I'm not sure how much I would like those bowden tube extruders.  I'm still going to bank on RepRap host or try replicatorG.
   I can't wait for the new printer to be done. lol  Work is draggin me down right now though, trying to finalize a job.  I did get the support braces done for the new printer.  I think they are going to work nice. :)

Nate

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 05:48 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Say Nate, found this on thingiverse for duel extruders, printable's and software. Have you seen this?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

I seen that awhile ago, but i think he hadn't tried printing both at once for a two material print at that time.  I don't really understand how he's doing two materials.  The RepRap host requires 2 different stl's that fit together.  Seems like he's not doing it that way:huh:  not sure.   I'm not sure how much I would like those bowden tube extruders.  I'm still going to bank on RepRap host or try replicatorG.
   I can't wait for the new printer to be done. lol  Work is draggin me down right now though, trying to finalize a job.  I did get the support braces done for the new printer.  I think they are going to work nice. :)

Nate

Sounds good Nate, I am in anticipation of the finished printer, to see it in action. You mentioned the other day, about a redesign of the stl's for the X carriage, X end motor and idler with the Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder. How hard would it be to do this just for the X end motor and idler with the built in  Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder, with just the small drive gear, [direct drive from the X axis stepper motor], I have the stl for the X carriage. I really like your design of the linear bearing clamps :cool: , so all I really need is the stl's for the X end motor and idler, so I guess what I am asking is if you would be willing to do the redesign of the stl's for me, then my printer will be as good as it could be, this I would truly appreciate. I haven't gotten very far into sketchup or blender yet to design anything for myself, I hope to get there one day. So if your willing this would be great, thanks Nate.

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 07:29 PM

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 05:48 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Say Nate, found this on thingiverse for duel extruders, printable's and software. Have you seen this?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

I seen that awhile ago, but i think he hadn't tried printing both at once for a two material print at that time.  I don't really understand how he's doing two materials.  The RepRap host requires 2 different stl's that fit together.  Seems like he's not doing it that way:huh:  not sure.   I'm not sure how much I would like those bowden tube extruders.  I'm still going to bank on RepRap host or try replicatorG.
   I can't wait for the new printer to be done. lol  Work is draggin me down right now though, trying to finalize a job.  I did get the support braces done for the new printer.  I think they are going to work nice. :)

Nate

Sounds good Nate, I am in anticipation of the finished printer, to see it in action. You mentioned the other day, about a redesign of the stl's for the X carriage, X end motor and idler with the Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder. How hard would it be to do this just for the X end motor and idler with the built in  Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder, with just the small drive gear, [direct drive from the X axis stepper motor], I have the stl for the X carriage. I really like your design of the linear bearing clamps :cool: , so all I really need is the stl's for the X end motor and idler, so I guess what I am asking is if you would be willing to do the redesign of the stl's for me, then my printer will be as good as it could be, this I would truly appreciate. I haven't gotten very far into sketchup or blender yet to design anything for myself, I hope to get there one day. So if your willing this would be great, thanks Nate.

Hey Jeff,
I can definately do that.  I'll see what I can do next weekend.  This weekend took longer than I thought to print parts and im still drawing the RAMPS box.  I'll try to draw some in my hotel during the week, but I like to be around real parts with my calipers to size stuff up. lol

 So your going to use Gregs linear bearing x carraige?  Do you have any preference for spacing between the LM8UU bearings?  

Nate

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 09:00 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 07:29 PM

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 05:48 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Say Nate, found this on thingiverse for duel extruders, printable's and software. Have you seen this?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

I seen that awhile ago, but i think he hadn't tried printing both at once for a two material print at that time.  I don't really understand how he's doing two materials.  The RepRap host requires 2 different stl's that fit together.  Seems like he's not doing it that way:huh:  not sure.   I'm not sure how much I would like those bowden tube extruders.  I'm still going to bank on RepRap host or try replicatorG.
   I can't wait for the new printer to be done. lol  Work is draggin me down right now though, trying to finalize a job.  I did get the support braces done for the new printer.  I think they are going to work nice. :)

Nate

Sounds good Nate, I am in anticipation of the finished printer, to see it in action. You mentioned the other day, about a redesign of the stl's for the X carriage, X end motor and idler with the Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder. How hard would it be to do this just for the X end motor and idler with the built in  Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder, with just the small drive gear, [direct drive from the X axis stepper motor], I have the stl for the X carriage. I really like your design of the linear bearing clamps :cool: , so all I really need is the stl's for the X end motor and idler, so I guess what I am asking is if you would be willing to do the redesign of the stl's for me, then my printer will be as good as it could be, this I would truly appreciate. I haven't gotten very far into sketchup or blender yet to design anything for myself, I hope to get there one day. So if your willing this would be great, thanks Nate.

Hey Jeff,
I can definately do that.  I'll see what I can do next weekend.  This weekend took longer than I thought to print parts and im still drawing the RAMPS box.  I'll try to draw some in my hotel during the week, but I like to be around real parts with my calipers to size stuff up. lol

 So your going to use Gregs linear bearing x carraige?  Do you have any preference for spacing between the LM8UU bearings?  

Nate

Ya Nate, it's going to be right @ 50mm center to center :D, if this will work for you, this is what my printer spacing is already for the X carriage rods, center to center. :cool: :P Thanks Nate.

Nate this guy is printing with two extruders on a prusa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVVmdrmvYq8&feature=youtu.be
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 5th, 2012, 05:33 AM

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 09:00 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 07:29 PM

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 05:48 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Say Nate, found this on thingiverse for duel extruders, printable's and software. Have you seen this?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16523

I seen that awhile ago, but i think he hadn't tried printing both at once for a two material print at that time.  I don't really understand how he's doing two materials.  The RepRap host requires 2 different stl's that fit together.  Seems like he's not doing it that way:huh:  not sure.   I'm not sure how much I would like those bowden tube extruders.  I'm still going to bank on RepRap host or try replicatorG.
   I can't wait for the new printer to be done. lol  Work is draggin me down right now though, trying to finalize a job.  I did get the support braces done for the new printer.  I think they are going to work nice. :)

Nate

Sounds good Nate, I am in anticipation of the finished printer, to see it in action. You mentioned the other day, about a redesign of the stl's for the X carriage, X end motor and idler with the Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder. How hard would it be to do this just for the X end motor and idler with the built in  Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder, with just the small drive gear, [direct drive from the X axis stepper motor], I have the stl for the X carriage. I really like your design of the linear bearing clamps :cool: , so all I really need is the stl's for the X end motor and idler, so I guess what I am asking is if you would be willing to do the redesign of the stl's for me, then my printer will be as good as it could be, this I would truly appreciate. I haven't gotten very far into sketchup or blender yet to design anything for myself, I hope to get there one day. So if your willing this would be great, thanks Nate.

Hey Jeff,
I can definately do that.  I'll see what I can do next weekend.  This weekend took longer than I thought to print parts and im still drawing the RAMPS box.  I'll try to draw some in my hotel during the week, but I like to be around real parts with my calipers to size stuff up. lol

 So your going to use Gregs linear bearing x carraige?  Do you have any preference for spacing between the LM8UU bearings?  

Nate

Ya Nate, it's going to be right @ 50mm center to center :D, if this will work for you, this is what my printer spacing is already for the X carriage rods, center to center. :cool: :P Thanks Nate.

[attachment=950][attachment=951]
Hey Jeff,
Here is a quick modification of my dual X ends.:)  I ran out of some room for one of the bearing clamp screws, but it should work as good as 3.  I also shaved off 0.5mm off the diameter of the bearing sockets.  If your printer is calibrated about the same as mine, the bearings should slide in easier than the one in my video.  
I hope they slice and print with out errors, I usually run a test print and end up having to tweak mistakes.:s  I'm pretty sure the motor is lined up correctly with the belt, I hope!  So if you test print one first, id start with the motor end.  The motor end is a copy of the idler with a motor mount added.  Let me know if they are going to work out. :)

Nate

Quote from firepinto on March 5th, 2012, 06:56 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 5th, 2012, 05:33 AM

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 09:00 PM

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 4th, 2012, 07:29 PM

Quote from firepinto on March 4th, 2012, 05:48 PM

I seen that awhile ago, but i think he hadn't tried printing both at once for a two material print at that time.  I don't really understand how he's doing two materials.  The RepRap host requires 2 different stl's that fit together.  Seems like he's not doing it that way:huh:  not sure.   I'm not sure how much I would like those bowden tube extruders.  I'm still going to bank on RepRap host or try replicatorG.
   I can't wait for the new printer to be done. lol  Work is draggin me down right now though, trying to finalize a job.  I did get the support braces done for the new printer.  I think they are going to work nice. :)

Nate

Sounds good Nate, I am in anticipation of the finished printer, to see it in action. You mentioned the other day, about a redesign of the stl's for the X carriage, X end motor and idler with the Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder. How hard would it be to do this just for the X end motor and idler with the built in  Z linear bearing clamps and opto endstops for the single extruder, with just the small drive gear, [direct drive from the X axis stepper motor], I have the stl for the X carriage. I really like your design of the linear bearing clamps :cool: , so all I really need is the stl's for the X end motor and idler, so I guess what I am asking is if you would be willing to do the redesign of the stl's for me, then my printer will be as good as it could be, this I would truly appreciate. I haven't gotten very far into sketchup or blender yet to design anything for myself, I hope to get there one day. So if your willing this would be great, thanks Nate.

Hey Jeff,
I can definately do that.  I'll see what I can do next weekend.  This weekend took longer than I thought to print parts and im still drawing the RAMPS box.  I'll try to draw some in my hotel during the week, but I like to be around real parts with my calipers to size stuff up. lol

 So your going to use Gregs linear bearing x carraige?  Do you have any preference for spacing between the LM8UU bearings?  

Nate

Ya Nate, it's going to be right @ 50mm center to center :D, if this will work for you, this is what my printer spacing is already for the X carriage rods, center to center. :cool: :P Thanks Nate.

Hey Jeff,
Here is a quick modification of my dual X ends.:)  I ran out of some room for one of the bearing clamp screws, but it should work as good as 3.  I also shaved off 0.5mm off the diameter of the bearing sockets.  If your printer is calibrated about the same as mine, the bearings should slide in easier than the one in my video.  
I hope they slice and print with out errors, I usually run a test print and end up having to tweak mistakes.:s  I'm pretty sure the motor is lined up correctly with the belt, I hope!  So if you test print one first, id start with the motor end.  The motor end is a copy of the idler with a motor mount added.  Let me know if they are going to work out. :)

Nate

Thanks Nate, WOW, :P:P:P:P:P I'll try this out tomorrow night :cool: .

The X motor end is awesome Nate  :P :D :cool: , now I just have to print the idler, I'm sure it will be the same, thanks Nate, your awesome, Jeff :D:D:D .

Quote from Jeff Nading on March 7th, 2012, 06:32 AM

The X motor end is awesome Nate  :P :D :cool: , now I just have to print the idler, I'm sure it will be the same, thanks Nate, your awesome, Jeff :D:D:D .

Thanks Jeff,:)
I tried to make it a beefier design, rather than the "save plastic" designs out there.  My thoughts are any small flexes in the x ends will cause loss in printing detail.  I hope it works out for ya. :cool:

Nate