EasyIDEX
-
Working on this easy to build/maintain IDEX for a while... mechanics nearly done.
The outter-frame (3030 alum extrusion) is sized 550x400x550, with printable area 170x170x250. Not exactly "compact" but that's the cost of IDEX.
Fundamentally it's CoreXYU motion system, 2 motors driving Y, and 2 motors driving XU (CoreXY belt loop).
The whole XYU seating on 2020 alum extrusion inner-frame, which make the building and maintaining easier, a hard lesson from my previous builds.
Belt tension adjusting from front idler tower with hex screws, easier to access.
I decide to go with E3D Hemera XS and Duet3 1LC, because: a) reduce number of wire; b) I think it's possible to add watercooling the whole heatsink/motor/1LC assembly at later day.
I probably need to work more on Z-axis later to improve some design, but for now I need to do electrics first to get it moving.
Stay tune.
-
Not exactly "compact" but that's the cost of IDEX.
That was also my first impression, but it's build for better maintenance...
Maybe put the linear rail of the x-axis on top of the extrusion: That way you'd have easy access to the screws that hold the toolheads. -
@o_lampe rails on top of X axis also reduces the lever force of the toolhead with a design considering centre of mass, so I second your recommendation.
-
@o_lampe
That's another compromise for ease of maintenance.Entire extruder (inc endstop hidden behind) can be removed with 4 screws (plus PWR and CANBUS wire).
Belt can be removed by 1 screws.
L-extruder has +/- 0.5mm Z travel range for Z-height sync with R-extruder (which has BLTouch)
Dragchain and X-carrier will be printed as single unit later to reduce parts count. I've them as separate pieces to tryout different design instead of reprint entire thing)
Extruder -to- X-carrier alignment block need to be redo later as single longer block at middle.
I'd tried X rail on top design. It work well with Bondtech LGX + Slice Engineering Mosquito combo, basically sandwich the X-carrier between them. But with E3D Hermera there is not much option to move rail to the top, since the mounting hole is on the side.
-
During the further building, I realize the internal frame is really not "easy" enough to do maintenance with.
After some CAD experiment, I change to this design to allow XY-top detach from Z-bottom.
Total size is still big, 500x360mm at Z-bottom, and 500x400mm at XY-top. But this looks more "normal".
The other arrangement has 360x360mm Z-bottom, forming a "T" looks. But it looks really odd so I abandon it.
Some more designs tweaks, then go on ordering those 2020 extrusions and print all parts to build it.
-
@titusou Your extruders are quite short, which was perfect for your first design.
Now, with the XY-frame on top, I'm afraid the nozzles won't reach the bed? -
@o_lampe Nozzle right now seating at +7.8mm height from bottom of XY-top, which I will need to lower to +2mm height by adding 6mm length on extruder back-plate to move it slightly lower. Then bed only need to "extend" over Z-bottom by 2mm, which is already achieved.
I'm going to print testing parts of XY this week to test it out, and see if any adjustment needed to the design.
