Best Improved Extruder Design

[sensebellum 2]

Hello,

I have been having problems with my stock extruder. For whatever reason - poor quality filament, cheap design - I am looking into making a new one. I really can't afford to keep having it stall in the middle of a print.

Anyways, I wanted to check with the community on the favorite extruder versions and why?

The last one I listed here looks great and has many adjustments. Also adjusting the tension on the filament seems like a must. What are some features to look for when upgrading this part?

How have you gotten past slippage in the past? And did this solve the problem?

I see there are at least 3 different modifications on the YouMagine site. Posted in order of likes:

Alternative UM2 Feeder - version two by IRobertI

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/alternative-um2-feeder-version-two#!design-information

Extruder UM2 Version 2 by Geeks

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/extruder-um2-version-2#!design-information

feeder for "Ultimaker 2 Rail System" by UltiArjan

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/feeder-for-ultimaker-2-rail-system#!design-information

Thank you for the insight.

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

UltiArjans' feeder is pretty sick looking....

I just couldn't pass up on the opportunity

 

[DidierKlein 729]

I'd say all 3 designs are good, personnaly i've used the one from robert for something like 6 months now with no problems

 

[gr5 2,172]

Robert's design is clearly the most downloaded and most popular and I was shocked to see one on a UM2 at a mini makerFaire in Boston a few weeks ago. But there are at least 2 more feeders you missed that are more popular than ultiArjan's:

1) Takei Naodar's design won't fit on the back of the UM2 so you need to also print his very clever spool holder:

https://www.youmagine.com/users/takei-naodar

2) Sebastian design combines Robert's and Geek's designs - maybe this is the best choice of all!

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/yet-another-ultimaker-2-feeder

3) Kevin Lee design (like tank treads):

https://0x7d.com/2014/07/improved-ultimaker-2-material-extruder/

There's also the official "printable" version of the existing feeder with no changes other than a metal grommet added (the new UM2's have a metal gromet at the input to the feeder. I don't like this one because you can't remove the filament as easily like you can with the other designs:

Ultimaker's design is in these three posts

post #500:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4393-ultimaker2-feeder-system-improvements-and-ideas/?p=50304

Post #279:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4393-ultimaker2-feeder-system-improvements-and-ideas/?p=42330

post #268

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4393-ultimaker2-feeder-system-improvements-and-ideas/?p=42162

I think this second post is more useful. Anyway, contact Bas for a free metal grommet.

If I were to print one I think I would look carefully at Sebastians first because a large part of the underextrusion problems is the way the filament *enters* the feeder.

 

[ultiarjan 1,223]

@solid:

Ha ha. Cool. I see you outgrew the "my first sony" color scheme.

[donmilne 2]

It's actually "Sebastian's one" that I use, but I don't regard it as a separate design. I see it as Robert's design - with an additional pulley to guide the filament in. Just about all the components are exchangeable.

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

I had a problem with Roberts feeder. The filament kept slipping past the bearing, creating jams. Also there was a little too much of a gap between the knurled nut and the opening for the bowden portion of the feeder, allowing the flexible filaments to bend (worked better than the stock feeder though)

Sabastian's has the exact same problems I had with Roberts

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

Robert's design is clearly the most downloaded and most popular and I was shocked to see one on a UM2 at a mini makerFaire in Boston a few weeks ago. But there are at least 2 more feeders you missed that are more popular than ultiArjan's:

1) Takei Naodar's design won't fit on the back of the UM2 so you need to also print his very clever spool holder:

https://www.youmagine.com/users/takei-naodar

2) Sebastian design combines Robert's and Geek's designs - maybe this is the best choice of all!

https://www.youmagine.com/designs/yet-another-ultimaker-2-feeder

3) Kevin Lee design (like tank treads):

https://0x7d.com/2014/07/improved-ultimaker-2-material-extruder/

There's also the official "printable" version of the existing feeder with no changes other than a metal grommet added (the new UM2's have a metal gromet at the input to the feeder. I don't like this one because you can't remove the filament as easily like you can with the other designs:

Ultimaker's design is in these three posts

post #500:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4393-ultimaker2-feeder-system-improvements-and-ideas/?p=50304

Post #279:

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4393-ultimaker2-feeder-system-improvements-and-ideas/?p=42330

post #268

http://umforum.ultimaker.com/index.php?/topic/4393-ultimaker2-feeder-system-improvements-and-ideas/?p=42162

I think this second post is more useful. Anyway, contact Bas for a free metal grommet.

If I were to print one I think I would look carefully at Sebastians first because a large part of the underextrusion problems is the way the filament *enters* the feeder.

 

Takei's design does fit on the back just fine. I used it for 2000 hours without incedent. Finally had to retire it because the filament rubbing the entrance rubbed a large hole in it. It's distance from knurl to entrance hole is almost nothing, so flexible filaments work better, and there are better guides on the bearing, so the filament never falls off the bearing.

 

[DidierKlein 729]

@SolidPrint: For flexible filament there's a part of robert's feeder that clips on the feeder an guides the filament did you try this?

The file is called https://d36c0vbvwjb9cx.cloudfront.net/uploads/image/file/53668/export.png i did several flexible filaments test with it with no problems, but without it the filament will bend in the feeder!

 

[solid-print-3d 30]

yes, I believe it comes with the "download all" files if I'm not mistaken. I did try it, but still had some slight issues with it. I ultimately gave up on it when the filament slipped off the bearing multiple times.

I'm on the other side of the fence in the feeder designs, in that I don't need a quick change design. I just don't use the quick change function yet...perhaps when the dual extruder comes out things will change for me, but for now, I'm happy with a rock solid feeder that just works. I've got a design I'm working on where it's basically Takeis feeder with a larger opening for easy debris cleaning, adjustment marks, and rollers like Sabastians filament guides.

we'll see

 

[sensebellum 2]

These are some fantastic links. I really appreciate the variety of designs.

I believe I will have to spend a full day researching these options and decide which one to print and test.

Thank you so much for the support I believe one of these holds the key to unlocking the true potential of this machine!