Important Note: This Project is still work in progress and will be officially released with a proper YT-trailer.
Current To Do's:
- Finalize all the drawings
- Double check all interfaces, boreholes
- Definition of the custom connectors
- Decision if the heater fan (230V 400W) will get a seperate Plug at the back
- Update BOM
- Finalize Blender Logo Animation
- Order all the sheetmetal parts
- Implement proper heat insulation
- Concept and engineering of the modular DIN-Rail cable management system
Inspirations:
As already mentioned I've used the CAD-files from the released E3D-Toolchanger (https://github.com/e3donline/ToolChanger) for a start. I quickly noticed that the E3D-guys didn't use standard parts such as the standoffs etc.
I therefore I started to fully customize the toolchanger with standard parts and heaviliy modified the frame and all of the motion parts.
The standard E3D uses a monorail printbed which works just fine but I will be able to perform non-planar-3d-printing (https://hackaday.com/2016/07/27/3d-printering-non-planar-layer-fdm/) with a always perpendicular printing nozzle.
I therfore implemented the kinematic coupled printbed from the jubilee-printer (https://jubilee3d.com/index.php?title=Main_Page) for a first concept. I like the idea of swappable builtplates.
The consequences of a toolchanger:
Personally I think the motion system such as the E3D-Toolchanger is just the start of beeing called a ''toolchanger''. A toolchanger in a more general sense gives you the freedom to easily interchange tools and even procedures (pcb-milling, PnP...). To achieve this versatility the most important features are:
- Defined interfaces/connectors which allow easy toolswap
- Room for periphal devices such as vacuum pumps, additional electronics etc.
- Swappable or modular builindplatform
The modular mindset:
There is no doubt that the hurdles are high to create such a system but I think the key is to think and search for overlaps between the functions. An example is the vacuum pump. A common vacuum pumps uses a inlet and outlet connector. One way the pump sucks air in and creates an vacuum (if you block the inlet). On the other hand you have the outlet which blows air out (until you block the inlet). Therefore you can use the pump in the printing configuration to cool your printed part and in the pnp-configuration to create to vacuum and grip the components. To change the configuration you just have to switch between inlet and outlet (manually or with a valve) .
I'm trying to implement this mindset as good as currently possible to reach a high modular toolchanging system.