584,805 active members*
4,748 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    6

    Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    I am adding 3D printing capability to my CNC SX3 Mill. There is plenty of information and products out there but I have yet to find any information on how to attach to the extruder/hot end to the mill. In my case I want to maintain the machine as a CNC Mill for most of the time and occasionally attach the extruder, etc. to do some 3D printing.

    Any advice on how to do this or where such information exists?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    41

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    Which extruder are you going to use?
    Bowden, Direct Drive?
    KL-4530 CNC, KL-6060, 5 3D printers, CNC Fusion Converted LMS Milling Machine, 60w Laser Cutter

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    6

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    To be honest I am not knowledgeable yet on on all the different types of extruders, hotends, etc. but I *think* I am leaning toward a direct drive as I don't believe weight is any issue nor is my Z travel since I have a full blown CNC mill.

    My limited understanding of this whole subject is slowing improving but from what I have read thus far, it seems filament jamming is one of if not the most common problem. On the surface, it looks like a remote filament feed is going to have more issues in this regard.

    So for the sake of discussion, if I go with a direct drive what are some of the methods people use to mount the extruder to the mill, especially in a way that is "temporary" as I need the mill function more than 3D printing.

    Thanks

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    41

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    Do you have a picture of the machine of the front straight on? And is there a way to lock the spindle so it can't rotate? I'm thinking maybe a Wades extruder sitting on a small platform suspended from a collet chuck.. That would make it removable.
    KL-4530 CNC, KL-6060, 5 3D printers, CNC Fusion Converted LMS Milling Machine, 60w Laser Cutter

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    6

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    You can see what the mill looks like here:
    Grizzly.com
    The machine now has stepper motors instead of handwheels and the chip guard is long gone.

    The top cylinder of the spindle doesn't spin so I think I will have to make some sort of circular clamp that has the platform you are talking about.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    668

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    What about making a clamp to fit the spindle nose. Lock the spindle so it won't turn and mount it to the nose. The clamp can have the necessary mounting hole for the printer head, and you're good to go.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    6

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    My current plan is to go with this extruder:

    V3.1 Geared Stepper Extruder

    and this hotend:

    https://www.hotends.com/index.php?ro...&product_id=88

    and use the hot end clamp plate to attatch an adapter to allow connection to the spindle. I am considering putting a 3/8" or 1/2" shaft off the top so the extruder mounts to the mill in a collet like any other tool would. I have had to put this project on the back burner for a while due to other priorities but will be getting back to it soon.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    93

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    I'm working on the same for my router table, though I like the idea of this DualDrive Extruder (DIY) but using this hot end instead of his. Somewhere in the thread, he also provides mach3 screenset.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    6

    Re: Attaching Extruder to CNC Mill

    Thanks for the links, especially the mach3 screenset.

    I forgot to say I also plan to add some cooling to the hot end. I am just learning about this 3D printer stuff but think having temperature feedback/control on the build plate as well as the hot end is important to keep constant temperatures. I plan to get one of these: gecs2ts1 | Converting a CNC Machine to a 3D Printer . There is also a mach3 add-on here for importing an STL file in slic3r and loading g-code into : Mach3 Addon | Converting a CNC Machine to a 3D Printer . A new version is in the works

Similar Threads

  1. extruder recommendations
    By frige in forum 3D Printer / 3D Scanner Discussion
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-21-2013, 08:42 PM
  2. Possible Extruder Design
    By vger in forum 3D Printer / 3D Scanner Discussion
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-22-2013, 12:17 PM
  3. Extruder
    By SPEEDRE in forum 3D Printer / 3D Scanner Discussion
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 02-19-2013, 04:32 PM
  4. Want to build my first mill / extruder combo
    By r00tb33r in forum Maintenance DIY Discussion
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-15-2011, 02:39 PM
  5. Attaching a vacuum to cnc mill
    By studysession in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-16-2004, 07:06 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •