Both delta kinematics and automatic tool changing systems are established in the field of FDM 3D printing, but their combination is still rare. With his current project, developer Ben Wolpert has presented a technical solution that combines both approaches. His Delta 3D printer with integrated tool changer is based on a magnetic coupling that enables precise and repeatable positioning of hotends.
The system uses three steel balls that sit in triangular holders on the tool holder. The counterparts are three pairs of magnets mounted in the hotend. The magnets are not designed for direct contact. Instead, a rotating magnetic ring is used, which is controlled by a cable motor. This motor is permanently mounted on the printer frame and rotates the magnet carrier element via a flexible guide cable. A rotation of around 60 degrees releases or establishes the magnetic connection – similar to familiar systems such as the Jubilee, but without mechanical locking.
The individual tools are held in parking positions with two metal pins that engage through corresponding openings in the hotend. Tool changes are controlled via macros within RepRapFirmware, which enables seamless integration. The documentation and all mechanical and electronic adaptations are available via GitHub.
The active cooling of the hotend remains an open issue. In the tests so far, only a table fan has been used, but this was sufficient under the given conditions. The integration of a dedicated fan is planned, but has not yet been implemented.
https://github.com/BenWolpert/DeltaToolChanger
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