Yet Another Quick-Change System

My first disappointment with the Snapmaker was that the heads didn’t literally snap on and off. I can understand that now, with the precision tolerances they require. I found several quick-change systems, here and on Thingiverse, but I wanted to combine the storage of unused heads with the quick-change system and also provide for suction on the CNC head with my mini shop vac, as I don’t have an enclosure.

I’ve posted my system to Thingiverse at Snapmaker 2.0 Quick-Release Toolhead Mount/Storage/Suction by cdesp1nosa - Thingiverse. Here are some photos of it in action. I’ve used it with all three heads and it seems to be both precise and rugged.

One thing I designed for was that early on in both laser and CNC work, I accidentally dove the head right into the bed. With CNC I’d snapped three bits before I even got my first cut made. So I designed the catch system to release the toolhead in an upward direction, and in fact I have used that twice now—a bad Z-axis adjustment or motion to the work origin doesn’t jam the head into the workpiece or bed anymore.

The suction doesn’t seem to have enough clearance around the tool spindle, so it can rub a little and doesn’t have really enough room for large milled pieces from acrylic. But it seems to gather wood dust fine. I may redesign it for a slightly larger opening, and maybe do one for getting laser smoke too.
Screen Shot 2021-03-09 at 11.52.34 PM Screen Shot 2021-03-09 at 11.50.54 PM Screen Shot 2021-03-09 at 11.50.06 PM Screen Shot 2021-03-09 at 11.49.36 PM

2 Likes