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Filament extruder

antoinec

How about a filament extruder that actually is combined with the extruder from the 3D printer.

You would load plastic pellets into the extruder at it melts and extrudes them directly on the heated bed,

basically skipping the entire filament spool part.

I hope you understand what I mean. image

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  • in reply to antoinec

    I'd wonder how you'd get pressure in the nozzle. The extruder stepper bites into the filament pretty good and pushes it out. How do you do that continuously with pellets? Air pressure and some type of air lock system so you don't lose pressure as more pellets come in? Maybe pressurize the whole hopper system?

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  • in reply to colecago

    I would suggest a rotating screw conveyor inside a heated metal tube that pushes the pellets to the other end

    while they are being heated by multiple resistors. As the pellets melt, the tube and screw conveyor could get thinner creating extra pressure

    towards the other side. I guess the pressure is contained when the screw and tube fit closely together. What do you think?

  • in reply to antoinec

    Not sure, think that type of design might work fine on a larger scale of pellet size to tube ratio, but I'd worry it won't be a consistent bead, which is really important. I've heard chips or marks in filament add air which is detrimental to 3d printing.

     

    I think it would have to be tested piece by piece, and projects with that level of uncertainty don't make the greatest episodes, especially weekly. Maybe a side project where he gives updates here and there.

  • in reply to colecago

    Yes, that would be a nice side project indeed. If he finishes it as a compact and good working product,

    I believe this might be used a lot in the 3D printing community because it would definitely save us a lot of money.

     

    Although if Ben never makes it, I hope someone else does. image