Some time ago I had the idea of building a high temp dual extruder module for Snapmaker 2.0 and since then I’m wondering how to do it. I know Snapmaker wants to release a Dual extruder module but its probably not for high temperature materials like PEKK (I know for this I have to modify my printing bed too). I did look on the forum for topics about adding some modules, but i didn’t see anyone actually doing it, only improving some parts. Or did I miss something?
Anyway, maybe someone has an Idea of adding an second extruder to the SM, because that’s for me a big struggle at the moment. I’ve seen that there is a CAN-Bus connection to the print head and that appearantly the Stepper vor the extruder is controlled by direct signals from the controller, but maybe I didn’t get that right. Therefor the first Question is how to make a second extruder controllable for the snapmaker? Do I have to use another Port of the Snapmaker, can I build some kind of switch that the controller can switch between the two extruders or is there something much more easy that I’m missing?
PEEK is a special kind of material, and there is no possible way that you could mod the Snapmaker to work with it w/o spending more than you would purchasing a machine that is designed to work with it. It is very unlikely that they would release any 3D Printer Module that goes beyond 300°C in the near future. There isn’t a demand for it, and the costs would at least triple the current sales price.
It would be nice if they were to offer an all-metal hot end, as the entire hot end assembly (excluding the nozzle) is custom designed for the Snapmaker. All they need to do is create their own heat break. I have a feeling that they’ve been trying to design one, but have been unsuccessful due to heat creep issues.
The Alternative Idea from me would be that I use two single extruder and connect them together. The Problem I think is that the distane in X and Y Direction should be at best the same that it is now for the most use of the printing bed. And I guess it’s hard to stay in the space given by the Original 3D Printing Module, that’s why I would build something completely new.
You missed nothing. What you’re talking about is building a new module, both hardware and software, from the ground up. It’s significant effort. I’m guessing anybody with the ability to do this is picking a better platform on top of which to spend that effort, a platform where all the source code is available (only partially for SM), where there are alternative parts available (such as other controller boards), with standard connectors, etc. etc.
For this particular project, I’d stay away from SM for additional reasons specific to high temperature. The SM linear rail system uses encapsulated drive motors and electronics that are of necessity in the same thermal envelope as the print volume, which will be at elevated temperature. You can get away with waterblock cooling at the print head (with flexible hoses in drag chain), but that becomes problematic to do with the linear rails. I’m sure it could be made to work in prototype form, but I’d have doubts about its reliability (and longevity). And there’s the issue that the Z axis on SM moves the entire X axis drive system, making it more difficult to think about how to thermally seal an enclosure while keeping the drive cool.
