Duet3D PCB delta printer effector sneak preview

jannisj

Hey guys!

Any updates on this?
I'm just waiting to order

-Jannis

abbott_m

Quite interested in this as well. Wound up machining a similar setup out of AL but without the electronics. Works rather nicely with the rod ends absolutely parallel.

dc42

I've published the preliminary fitting instructions at https://duet3d.com/wiki/Smart_effector_and_carriage_adapters_for_delta_printer. I also added some photos, including this one:

This is our second prototype. The electronics is working even better than in the first prototype and we have been able to increase the sensitivity, so that the probing force is lower.

The combination of magnetic joints and two connectors (one for signal connections and the other for power connections) makes it very easy to remove the effector - the hardest part is removing the Bowden tube and filament from the hot end.

The main thing we need now is for E3D to finalise their new heatsink design. We may also make the effector a little larger to make the underside less cramped, which would increase the rod separation from the current 55mm to 60 or 65mm. Do any potential users have strong views on this?

abbott_m

I machined mine at 55 and about the only thing I noted is having to be a bit more careful about anything mounted to the vertical tower and staying clear of the mounts (how. Do I know this,..it wasn't pretty). Larger seems like a good notion though.

Think a larger size would be useful if this got extended to two hot ends in the future.

Im in for a full set as soon as they become available.

Thinking out loud on the wider spacing : would there be any noticeable deflection with the wider rod separation ?

And personally I would be modifying my Prometheus hotend to fit the effector, therefore could i ask for a picture of the modified e3d hotend out of the effector to see whats going on.

davidbates

Just wanted to stop in and say this is looking fabulous. I've been looking for a solution to house multiple tool heads with quick disconnects and this looks perfect for that.

A couple of features I'd really like to see:
1. A single connector on the back that can be universal for all the different tool heads (hot end, laser, cnc, touch probe, etc)
2. That single connector is a magnet style both for safety and for a quick change.
3. I'd like for the rods to carry current either for the connections needed (there are 6 connectors) or for fault-tolerant break detection.
4. a purple color from osh?

Again really good work and thanks for sharing. If there's a beta or early product tester program sign me up.

njjn2020

@davidbates:

Just wanted to stop in and say this is looking fabulous. I've been looking for a solution to house multiple tool heads with quick disconnects and this looks perfect for that.

A couple of features I'd really like to see:
1. A single connector on the back that can be universal for all the different tool heads (hot end, laser, cnc, touch probe, etc)
2. That single connector is a magnet style both for safety and for a quick change.
3. I'd like for the rods to carry current either for the connections needed (there are 6 connectors) or for fault-tolerant break detection.
4. a purple color from osh?

Again really good work and thanks for sharing. If there's a beta or early product tester program sign me up.

i vote for magnetic quick change too. as for connector - if i change tool, how than board will differentiate which tool is connected?
if it does then firmware may automatically adapt for the tool.

dc42

The PCB effector uses two connectors, one for signal wires and one for power wires. This is to reduce the risk of mis-wiring causing a short. A magnetic connector might work for the signal wires, but I doubt that it could be used for the power wires.

elmoret

@dc42:

A magnetic connector might work for the signal wires, but I doubt that it could be used for the power wires.

Apple shoves 85w through Magsafe!

@elmoret:

Apple shoves 85w through Magsafe!

Have you seen the repair percentage on apple products power circuit ? a prime example of what NOT to do…......

jrlederer

So the big question is when to expect availability on this seemingly very cool and precise product development?

saffi

@jrlederer:

So the big question is when to expect availability on this seemingly very cool and precise product development?

Once you make a defined scheduled, circumstances beyond your control will always delay it three to six months!

jrlederer

Haha good ol' Murphy hard at work…

inachisiojexus

I'm also very interested in this as I may need to replace the somewhat bulky aluminum effector on my TEVO delta in order to fit a DyzEnd-X hotend. In the meantime I'm going for a hacky solution.

dc42

Last week we agreed the new heatsink design with E3D. So production will start soon.

Pre order any time soon?

Whitewolf

@dc42:

The PCB effector uses two connectors, one for signal wires and one for power wires. This is to reduce the risk of mis-wiring causing a short. A magnetic connector might work for the signal wires, but I doubt that it could be used for the power wires.

still requires wire but here is an example of magnetic quick change tools with what appears to be USB for quick disconnect.

http://flux3dp.com