The K8400 printer’s printing nicely here - finished 2 key ring tests, one of each print head: those came out nicely! So, I’ve now got it working on my first own design: hope that goes just as well. Halfway now: look to go well… Fingers crossed!
Working off the SD card, as my laptop can’t seem to become friends with the Repetier software. My desktop pc isn’t that fussy, that runs the package just fine, but I need to clear up some room near the desktop first. The SD alternative works perfect, so no issue there.
One thing, though - I must be doing something wrong, when loading the filament in the two extruders? I just couldn’t get the filament through the opening behind the steel wheel & roller bearing. And after that, I got stuck on the M5 nut & the nipple the filament needs to pass. In the end, I decided to remove the nipple & stick it back on after I had found & passed the other points.
Now, that worked for me - but surely, there’s got to be a better way to do that. Could anyone help me understand how to do load the filament in a sensible manner?
Personally I think the original exruder is quite awfull. Not only is it very hard to get the fila straight through but also when you do it will leave at leastone of your fingers very sore due to the awfull ergonomics of the aluminium piece you have to push.
My suggestion, build new extruders. There are many to be found on thingiverse.
I found that it is much easier to feed the filament through if you cut the end at an angle, a rather narrow angle (if a straight cut is 90 degree, then cut it at like 20-30 degree) also after getting the filament past the wheel in the extruder it can get stuck, release the leaver and use a small screwdriver to push it a little to the side (above the wheel), then open the leaver again pushing the filament and it usually slides into the plastic tube.
That being said, yes the extruder could be better designed to guide the filament.
Yes, I’ve noticed that the force on your fingers from the metal lever of the loading system is indeed quite high & get’s painful as you struggle to get the filament in. I used a little clamp to relieve me of that pain, but I think I’ll design me some padding that I can print out & click on the lever. For starters, anyway.
